Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Central Valley Birds > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Saturday, May 25 at 03:06 PM EST The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Spectacled Eiders,©BirdQuest

25 May Brant Merced [John Sterling ] 25 May Tricolored blackbirds fledging at El Dorado Hills ["skywater" ] 24 May Dusky-Capped Flycatcher at Davis Wetlands ["rubys_oograah" ] 24 May Western tanager in south Davis (Yolo County) [Sylvia Wright ] 23 May RE: chat still at Sac Bypass ["Todd Easterla" ] 23 May Merced, Stanislaus & San Joaquin Cos. 23 May 13 [Kathryn Parker ] 23 May last year's Red-thr. Loon info needed [John Sterling ] 23 May still there now Re: Brant In Merced County [John Sterling ] 23 May chat still at Sac Bypass [Steve Hampton ] 22 May Brant In Merced County [kent Van Vuren ] 23 May White Pelican Yolo Bypass ["szafrica77" ] 22 May Re: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve ["skywater" ] 22 May Paradise Cut Yellow-breasted Chats [Ron Melcer ] 22 May Cosumnes MapRE: Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 ["Jann Dorothy" ] 22 May Putah Creek migrants and breeders [Manfred Kusch ] 21 May Bald eagles [Ray Rozema ] 21 May north Davis birds [Steve Hampton ] 21 May Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 [John and Glennah Trochet ] 21 May Chat - American River, Bannister Park ["Sally M. Walters" ] 21 May Re: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve ["drsgmule" ] 21 May Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve ["Andy Engilis, Jr." ] 21 May Placer Co. 20 May 13 Soda Springs Rd. closed [Kathryn Parker ] 20 May Merced Co. 5/20/13 [Dominik Mosur ] 20 May Re: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy [John Sterling ] 20 May siskins ["Perrone, Michael AT DWR" ] 20 May Rose Breasted Grosbeak ["jonetaylor" ] 19 May Re: Swainson's Hawk? [Steve Hampton ] 19 May Swainson's Hawk? ["jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net" ] 18 May Del Puerto Canyon / San Antonio Valley [Matthew Dodder ] 18 May COSUMNES BIRDS- 18 MAY 2013 ["John and Glennah Trochet" ] 18 May Bank Swallows, Sheridan (Placer) ["Ron Pozzi" ] 17 May Swainson's Hawks on Hwy. 105 [Jeanine McElwain ] 18 May Another Sacramento County Yellow-Breasted Chat ["danielamywelsh" ] 18 May Re: Fwd: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy [Steve Hampton ] 18 May Fwd: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy [John Sterling ] 17 May Re: Identification help needed [Steve Hampton ] 17 May Identification help needed ["Dennis Pleau" ] 17 May Chat and others on Putah Creek near Winters ["Andy Engilis, Jr." ] 17 May Yellow-breasted Chat x 2 at Cache Creek Settling Basin [Ron Melcer ] 16 May Cosumnes Tall Forest bird survey Saturday, 18 May [John and Glennah Trochet ] 16 May continuing late waterfowl at CRP [John and Glennah Trochet ] 16 May Swainson's Hawks at Road 105, Davis ["szafrica77" ] 15 May recent Putah Creek birds ["John and Glennah Trochet" ] 15 May Cosumnes Birds - 05/15 ["Leslie Flint" ] 15 May WFO Conference Registration Opens; Scholarships Available [Frances Oliver ] 15 May 128 Swainson's Hawks on the ground near Davis [Steve Hampton ] 14 May Alaska May 16 Sac Audubon@Effie Yeaw Nature Center ["Sally M. Walters" ] 14 May RE: Iron horse sewage ponds - where? ["Michael Feighner" ] 14 May Re: Iron horse sewage ponds - where? [Bruce Webb ] 14 May Merced Cassin's kingbirds [John Sterling ] 13 May some local birds and PRBO news [John Harris ] 13 May RE: Cosumnes birds- 11 May 2013 ["Andy Engilis, Jr." ] 13 May Cosumnes birds- 11 May 2013 [John and Glennah Trochet ] 13 May Sacramento Bypass Gray Fly, Chat, and Bobcat [Steve Hampton ] 13 May Yolo County over the weekend ["Perrone, Michael AT DWR" ] 13 May CVBC Field trip to Electa road May 29th [Frances Oliver ] 12 May Male Rufous/Allen's hummer [Manfred Kusch ] 11 May Del Puerto Canyon, San Antonio Valley and Mines Roads [Matthew Dodder ] 10 May dusky flycatcher in Davis ["Perrone, Michael AT DWR" ] 10 May Black-headed Grosbeaks and other birds [Manfred Kusch ] 10 May Tricolored Blackbirds - photos [M. Bruce Grosjean ] 10 May Sacramento County Burrowing Owls, Redheads [] 10 May Re: Plumbeous Vireo in south Davis ["M" ] 10 May RE: Black-headed Grosbeak (correction) [Sylvia Wright ] 10 May RE: Black-headed Grosbeak [Sylvia Wright ] 09 May Re: Re: Plumbeous Vireo in south Davis [claire gallagher ] 9 May Merced County 05-08-13 [kent Van Vuren ] 9 May Re: Plumbeous Vireo in south Davis [Steve Hampton ] 9 May Plumbeous Vireo in south Davis [Steve Hampton ] 8 May Re: Folsom Lake Birds [Jenner Davidson ] 08 May Folsom Lake Birds ["dietrichscott71" ] 8 May junco in Davis ["Perrone, Michael AT DWR" ] 08 May Another Tricolor colony in Folsom/El Dorado HIlls. ["skywater" ] 7 May Re: Folsom Lake Birds--Placer Co. [Gil Ewing ] 07 May Re: Probable Tricolored Blackbird colony, Hwy 16, Sacramento County ["skywater" ] 7 May Folsom Lake Birds [Jenner Davidson ] Subject: Brant Merced From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 12:51:21 -0700 The brant is still here at O'Neill forebay by the boat ramp near the swimming area. Sent from my iPad John Sterling 530 908-3836 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 ------------------------------------ Subject: Tricolored blackbirds fledging at El Dorado Hills From: "skywater" <pouletchalet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 06:51:35 -0000 Yesterday and the day before I went back to the colony at El Dorado Hills to take photos. I noticed hundreds of fledglings being fed by the parents. By the next day the parents were luring the fledglings away from the nesting site by presenting grasshoppers to the young and then flying away with fledgling in pursuit. It was a fascinating experience. I'm sure by the next few days everyone will have fledged out of the area. Unfortunately I also saw a few fledglings with pox on the feet and head. Sadly, they will most likely be left behind. This seem like a productive colony site and worth saving for the future. I hope it is not lost to development in the area. I will post a few photos. -Stefanie Stewart Wilton, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Dusky-Capped Flycatcher at Davis Wetlands From: "rubys_oograah" <rubys_oograah AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 20:36:36 -0000 A pair of DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS were near the entrance, where the road leaves the levee. Other than that, I saw mostly late wintering waterbirds, including a single ROSS'S GOOSE, GADWALLS, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, COOTS, etc. Also two AMERICAN BITTERNS and a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. Karen Kienitz RN Davis ------------------------------------ Subject: Western tanager in south Davis (Yolo County) From: Sylvia Wright <swright AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 15:34:42 +0000 Male western tanager just now in my birdbath. Sylvia Wright South Davis Yolo County, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: chat still at Sac Bypass From: "Todd Easterla" <teasterla AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 21:11:52 -0700 YBCH shows up here (Sac Bypass) annually singing even into June but then goes quiet with no observations after this. Breeding has been suspect but no one has been lucky enough to confirm yet to my knowledge. I had two different YBCH males singing in the Putah Creek Canyon last weekend. On another note I also gleaned an adult Orange Crowned Warbler feeding young here as well. Todd Easterla Rancho Cordova, Ca. From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Steve Hampton Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 9:59 AM To: cvbirds Subject: [CVBirds] chat still at Sac Bypass This morning the Yellow-breasted Chat first found by Ron Melcer at the west end of the Sac Bypass was still singing away. Ed, I know we have many suspected nesting records for chat in Yolo, but do we have any confirmed? Also had FOS Willow Flycatcher today. thanks, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Merced, Stanislaus & San Joaquin Cos. 23 May 13 From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 16:47:53 -0700 Merced Co. - Basalt Campground was very windy this morning. Did find a CASSIN'S KINGBIRD up around space #63. The thrushes had departed, but there were scads of Wilson's Warblers - every bush was festooned. Also present were Western Wood-Pewees and Pacific-slope Flycatchers and a male Western Tanager. As has already been reported, the BRANT was still along the beach north of the west-side boat ramp. It was all by its lonesome, feeding on the stringy algae close to shore. Found 1 SWAINSON'S THRUSH in the trees at the boat ramp parking lot. Also another Western Tanager. At the Gustine WTP there was 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER, 1 WHIMBREL, 1 Dunlin, 8 Red-necked Phalaropes and 4 Black-bellied Plovers. Stanislaus Co. - Finally found LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES at the Deer Valley Campground. (It helps if you look in the right place.) Also seen was a singing Canyon Wren at Owl Rock, a Badger and a Coyote eyeing each other near the first cattle guard and a squashed California Whipsnake. San Joaquin Co. - There were still a few PURPLE FINCHES near the intersection of Harney and Tully, east of Lodi. Kathy Parker Los Gatos ------------------------------------ Subject: last year's Red-thr. Loon info needed From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 11:42:54 -0700 Can someone please let me know who found the Red-throated Loon in March 2012 at the O'Neill Forebay? and when it was first discovered? thanks John John Sterling VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: still there now Re: Brant In Merced County From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 10:42:54 -0700 John Luther just called me to report that the Brant is there right now. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com On May 22, 2013, at 10:25 PM, kent Van Vuren wrote: > Today, I had a Brant at the O'Neill Forebay. It was near the boat > launch area > at the west side, spending time with a female Common Goldeneye off the > beach > area just to the north. > > Some other highlights were > > Basalt Campground > Costa's Hummingbird > Western Wood Pewee > Cassin's Kingbird (two) > Warbling Vireo > Swainson's Thrush > > O'Neill Forebay > Bald Eagle > Great-horned Owl (baby with parent) > Ash-throated Flycatcher > Pacific-Slope Flycatcher > Swainson's Thrush > Western Tanager (2) > > San Luis Reseroir (Fisherman's Point) > Brown Pelican (5) > > Gustine > Bufflehead (2) > Black-bellied Plover (2) > Dunlin (3) > Western Sandpiper (1) > Whimbrel > Red-necked Phalarope (9) > > Kent Van Vuren > Prunedale, Ca (when I am home) > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: chat still at Sac Bypass From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 09:58:49 -0700 This morning the Yellow-breasted Chat first found by Ron Melcer at the west end of the Sac Bypass was still singing away. Ed, I know we have many suspected nesting records for chat in Yolo, but do we have any confirmed? Also had FOS Willow Flycatcher today. thanks, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Brant In Merced County From: kent Van Vuren <VanVurenK AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 22:25:35 -0700 Today, I had a Brant at the O'Neill Forebay. It was near the boat launch area at the west side, spending time with a female Common Goldeneye off the beach area just to the north. Some other highlights were Basalt Campground Costa's Hummingbird Western Wood Pewee Cassin's Kingbird (two) Warbling Vireo Swainson's Thrush O'Neill Forebay Bald Eagle Great-horned Owl (baby with parent) Ash-throated Flycatcher Pacific-Slope Flycatcher Swainson's Thrush Western Tanager (2) San Luis Reseroir (Fisherman's Point) Brown Pelican (5) Gustine Bufflehead (2) Black-bellied Plover (2) Dunlin (3) Western Sandpiper (1) Whimbrel Red-necked Phalarope (9) Kent Van Vuren Prunedale, Ca (when I am home) ------------------------------------ Subject: White Pelican Yolo Bypass From: "szafrica77" <slmayhew77 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 03:05:14 -0000 There was one lone White Pelican at the Yolo Bypass in Davis today. And had a good close siting of a coyote. Got nice photos of both. Saw a few Yellow-headed Blackbirds as well. Sarah Mayhew Davis, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve From: "skywater" <pouletchalet AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 22:22:53 -0000 I recently took into our wildlife rehab center, two hooded merganser ducklings from two different locations in N. Sac county. Seems like indeed they are nesting in the central valley. I was very surprised. -Stefanie Stewart Wilton, CA --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "Andy Engilis, Jr." wrote: > > This morning at the Valensin Forest (West of HWY 99 and Dillard Road; > Sacramento County) I photographed a female Hooded Merganser with six chicks > in tow. This was my first nesting record for the Central Valley for this > species! In addition to the typical birds of the Oak woodlands at Valensin, > I observed a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > > > Andy Engilis > > > > Andrew Engilis, Jr. > > Curator > > Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology > > University of California > > One Shields Avenue > > Davis, CA 95616 > > USA > > > > Office Phone: 530-752-0364 > > FAX: 530-752-4154 > > E-mail: aengilisjr AT ... > > Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: Paradise Cut Yellow-breasted Chats From: Ron Melcer <corvid88 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 08:11:07 -0700 Birders, More Yellow-breasted Chats (2), and 2 Willow Flycatchers were calling from the willow/mugwort shrub habitats within the Paradise Cut flood bypass in San Joaquin County. The birds were observed between the San Joaquin River and the floodway intersection with I-5 on Tuesday 05/21. Ron Melcer Sacramento, CA (916) 296-6729 ------------------------------------ Subject: Cosumnes MapRE: Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 From: "Jann Dorothy" <jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 06:59:25 -0700 I read with interest the regular reports of surveys at the Cosumnes River Preserve. However, lacking a map of the Preserve with any detail at the granular level, I'm uncertain where the areas called out are located. The Preserve website offers no map that I can find. A Google search turns up various maps which detail the main trails that loop, but at best I see Desmond Road, the railroad tracks and the barn ponds. I'm sure most List members are familiar with the area much more than me, but I'm trying to figure out what constitutes the Tall Forest, the Accidental Forest, Wood Duck Slough and the like. Is there a walking trails map somewhere that delineates these that I've been unable to find, or are these terms of art that have just become common parlance among birders and Preserve regulars? Thanks for your anticipated guidance and good birding. Jann Dorothy Sacramento, CA From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John and Glennah Trochet Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:44 PM To: CV Birds Subject: [CVBirds] Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 Dear Birders, This morning I did a survey near the Tall Forest, and the woodland migrant numbers were so impressive that I had to walk down Wood Duck Slough to see what, if anything else, was moving through. This was easily my best morning this season for forest migrants. Highlights included: western wood-pewee- 12 dusky/Hammond's flycatcher- 1 (when I first saw it, it looked like Hammond's, but it seemed to have changed shape when I saw it again!) warbling vireo- 8 Swainson's thrush- 18 orange-crowned warbler- 1 yellow warbler- 10 black-throated gray warbler- 2 Townsend's warbler- 20-25 Townsend's x hermit warbler- 1 hermit warbler- 1 MacGillivray's warbler- 2 common yellowthroat- 20 Wilson's warbler- 20-25 yellow-breasted chat- 1 western tanager- 35-40 blue grosbeak- 4 bunting sp.- 1 female hooded oriole- 1 female (bird of the day) Along Desmond Road, two snow geese and 11 greater white-fronted geese continue. The only migrant shorebirds I detected there were a long-billed dowitcher and two Wilson's phalaropes. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Putah Creek migrants and breeders From: Manfred Kusch <makusch AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 07:20:40 -0700 This note was meant to be sent yesterday. As others have reported, today was a surprisingly birdy day all around. After several days of fairly slow action, warblers, flycatchers, tanagers, wrens, nuthatches, and a few others were suddenly present in fairly good numbers and diversity. Wilson's and Yellow Warblers were the most numerous, more than 5 of each, but I also found 1 Townsend's and 2 Hermit warblers, and 1 Black-throated Gray. An Orange-crowned Warbler was feeding in the tops of the eucalyptus mixed in with several Western Tanagers. The real surprise for me was a male Lazuli Bunting, a very rare visitor at my place although I have seen a good number of females, typically in late summer. There are again several Swainson's Thrushes along the creek. One killed itself by flying into our kitchen window. I had not seen any for several days. There were several Bewick's Wrens in three locations, one group clearly a family with recently fledged young. There are House wrens in three breeding territories, nicely spaced along my trail in addition to two nesting pairs in my garden. Two pairs of Spotted Towhees are nesting in their traditional locations, a bramble thicket and a dense stand of California roses. Three pairs of Ash-throated Flycatchers are nesting in natural cavities along the creek and two additional pairs in my nest boxes which are also occupied by three pairs of Western Bluebirds (one fledged already), and five pairs of Tree Swallows. One box held the nest (built of pieces of bark, dirt clumps, fur, hair, and feathers) of a White-breasted Nuthatch, but after the female had sat on her eggs for about a week, the eggs disappeared and the nest was abandoned. Hard to know what kind of predator could squeeze through a 1.5 inch entry hole. The chicks in the Red-tailed Hawk nests (2 and 2) are growing rapidly and their white baby down is giving way to their first set of dark brown feathers. Nuttall's Woodpeckers whose nest construction in a dead valley oak branch I observed from the very beginning have successfully raised their young who fledged yesterday. Western Kingbirds are more numerous than usual around my place. In addition to the pair nesting on the attachment bracket of my neighbor's transformer, there are 3 more pairs in my garden. One pair is building a nest in a sycamore, one has placed a few strands of material on the bracket of my transformer, and the third pair hangs out in the area where they nested last year. The first Hooded Orioles must be close to fledging, some may already have left their nest. New nests are now again appearing at a pretty good clip pushing the total well beyond 10, but I have not made a great effort to keep track. So far I have found 5 nests of Black-headed Grosbeaks in my garden. One nest, in a Chinese silk tree (albizia) is noteworthy for its male occupant who often breaks into vigorous song while attending to his incubation duties. I have never observed this behavior before. Barn Swallow numbers are down this year. There are 8 active nests compared to 13 last year. Northern Mockingbirds are already on their second brood nests. Despite my best efforts, however, I have so far not been able to find a single Black-chinned Hummingbird nest despite the remarkable abundance of this species around my place. I observed two females down by the creek who collected nesting material but then took it way up into the canopy of cottonwood and valley oak trees, at least 30-40ft up and out of sight. On other occasions I have, however, found their nests as low as 3-4 ft on low branches of a small apple tree and a persimmon tree. House Finches, Mourning Doves, and American Robins are raising one brood after another, assuring their future abundance. Manfred Kusch Davis/Winters makusch AT ucdavis.edu 707-678-1027 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Bald eagles From: Ray Rozema <rrozema54 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 21:00:39 -0700 FYI There is an eagle nest at Lake Camanche with 2 fledglings. They will probable leave the nest soon. Below is link to a map of the spot. The small crosshair marks the spot ( Not the red " A"). The nest is on the north side of a large pine. It is about a 1/2 mile hike up a hill.To get there go to the horse trail parking lot which is just north of the tennis courts which you can see on the image. At the entrance to the park tell them you are going to the horse trail, then the entrance fee is only $2.50. The horse trail parking lot is on their map. http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=38.23255,-120.94027&z=17&t=S&marker0=38.23511%2C-120.94567%2Clake%20camanche%20california http://rayrozema.smugmug.com/Birds/Raptors/14998309_mCx7j2#!i=2527241548&k=6VHG3c9 Ray Rozema Sheldon CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: north Davis birds From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 16:15:55 -0700 This was also a great morning in north Davis (the day after the north winds end is often good). Lots of warblers, tanagers, and others. Highlights were a calling (but hidden) YELLOW-BR CHAT (ne corner of the North Davis Farms western pond) and a RED-BR NUTHATCH. Full list is at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14195965 good birding, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 12:43:40 -0700 Dear Birders, This morning I did a survey near the Tall Forest, and the woodland migrant numbers were so impressive that I had to walk down Wood Duck Slough to see what, if anything else, was moving through. This was easily my best morning this season for forest migrants. Highlights included: western wood-pewee- 12 dusky/Hammond's flycatcher- 1 (when I first saw it, it looked like Hammond's, but it seemed to have changed shape when I saw it again!) warbling vireo- 8 Swainson's thrush- 18 orange-crowned warbler- 1 yellow warbler- 10 black-throated gray warbler- 2 Townsend's warbler- 20-25 Townsend's x hermit warbler- 1 hermit warbler- 1 MacGillivray's warbler- 2 common yellowthroat- 20 Wilson's warbler- 20-25 yellow-breasted chat- 1 western tanager- 35-40 blue grosbeak- 4 bunting sp.- 1 female hooded oriole- 1 female (bird of the day) Along Desmond Road, two snow geese and 11 greater white-fronted geese continue. The only migrant shorebirds I detected there were a long-billed dowitcher and two Wilson's phalaropes. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Chat - American River, Bannister Park From: "Sally M. Walters" <bajaowl AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 11:25:05 -0700 > Forwarded from Jane Taylor" <1jgtaylor AT att.net> wrote: "My companion and I walked from Sacramento Bar near Sunrise Blvd. to Bannister Park. From there, we backtracked down to the river and ended up on small trails in oaks, grass and shrubs between the series of ponds you see on the map and the river, where it makes that huge bend. It was there I heard the bird; we walked past it, but our trail dead-ended, so we came back and the bird was still sounding. First thinking it might be a CA Thrasher, I pished. With the rough chip notes, I then thought "Chat?" and was lucky to flush it. It flew back and left and I was able to spot its large (relative to a warbler) size, yellow breast and dark head. Then it dropped down. Unfortunately, no picture. I checked my National Geographic field guide at home and it shows a yellow migration indicator in the valley for the Yellow-breasted Chat. >> This morning, I walked with a companion on the north side of the river >> just west of Fair Oaks and tried out my new-found "pishing" skills on a >> bird that sounded a little like a mockingbird but more disjointed, with >> frequently repeated loud "chips". I scared it all right, and it flew out >> of its bush a bit away, but I got a glimpse with my binoculars before it >> dropped down - a Yellow-breasted Chat, my first on the American! >> Jane" SallyWalters & DonSchmoldt Sacramento County, Ca BajaOwl AT Gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve From: "drsgmule" <pittmanl AT frontiernet.net> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 18:14:04 -0000 I have been monitoring a Hooded Merganser nest in a Wood Duck nest box at Horseshoe Lake (restricted area east of Hwy 99) and 9 or 10 of the 12 eggs had hatched prior to my last visit on May 17. Linda Pittman Wilton --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "Andy Engilis, Jr." wrote: > > This morning at the Valensin Forest (West of HWY 99 and Dillard Road; > Sacramento County) I photographed a female Hooded Merganser with six chicks > in tow. This was my first nesting record for the Central Valley for this > species! In addition to the typical birds of the Oak woodlands at Valensin, > I observed a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > > > Andy Engilis > > > > Andrew Engilis, Jr. > > Curator > > Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology > > University of California > > One Shields Avenue > > Davis, CA 95616 > > USA > > > > Office Phone: 530-752-0364 > > FAX: 530-752-4154 > > E-mail: aengilisjr AT ... > > Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve From: "Andy Engilis, Jr." <aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 10:39:14 -0700 This morning at the Valensin Forest (West of HWY 99 and Dillard Road; Sacramento County) I photographed a female Hooded Merganser with six chicks in tow. This was my first nesting record for the Central Valley for this species! In addition to the typical birds of the Oak woodlands at Valensin, I observed a Hammond's Flycatcher. Andy Engilis Andrew Engilis, Jr. Curator Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 USA Office Phone: 530-752-0364 FAX: 530-752-4154 E-mail: aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Placer Co. 20 May 13 Soda Springs Rd. closed From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 08:32:09 -0700 Needed 1 bird to change color so off to Placer Co. yesterday. Yesterday I birded along Foresthill Ridge Rd. and the first 9 miles of Soda Springs Rd. A note - I was originally hoping to go all the way through on Soda Springs Rd. to get up to the Truckee area. At about 9 1/2 miles from Robinson Flat, 2 large trees had come down all the way across the road, so I had to turn back. I notified a man at the Forestry fire station who said he would notify the road dept. Started early in the AM at the Auburn Ravine Bridge to try for chaparral birds. Construction is being done on the bridge and workers are using the parking area. I was able to shovel my smallish car in, but turning around to get out was a bit hairy. I don't think I found the right area but I was able to find a rufous-crowned sparrow. Next spring I will have to get a Placer County birder to show me where to go. Spent the rest of the morning on Foresthill Ridge Rd. out to Robinson Flat. Many birds, but not a huge variety. Fox Sparrows are everywhere. A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE in a manzanita patch was #200 for Placer. Also new was a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER. Robinson Flat was pretty quiet. I started down Soda Springs Rd. A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was singing from the top of a bare tree. I didn't realize that they actually have a beautiful song, but being a thrush I am not surprised. I have only heard them do the mewing call before. As noted before, Soda Springs Rd. is blocked at about mile 9 1/2. Right before I had to turn around, I surprised a Brown Bear ambling across the road. What a treat! Having lost so much time, I decided to finally hit the Lincoln Safeway. A male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE was posing on the top of a light standard in the parking lot. Do they breed in that marshy area next to the Safeway? Looked for the reported Grosbeak on N. Brewer Rd. but didn't see it. Kathy Parker Los Gatos ------------------------------------ Subject: Merced Co. 5/20/13 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 22:23:15 -0700 (PDT) Spent the day birding various locations in Merced County today with Peter Metropulos and Logan Kahle. We started off at Basalt Campground/San Luis Reservoir, then checked out the Souza Marsh at San Luis Wildlife Refuge and later Merced NWR ending with a quick stop at the north side of O'Neill Forebay. We found decent numbers of western migrants at all our stops and a few nice surprises as well. Notable observations were: Brown Pelican - continuing bird flying low over San Luis Reservoir, observed from Fisherman's Pt. Wood Duck - 5, near Souza Marsh Canvasback - Henry Miller Rd. ponds east of Los Banos Wildlife MA Ring-necked Duck - same ponds as above BLACK TERN - 3, Merced NWR, seen flying over the only pond still holding water/west edge of Auto Tour Route, then taking off to the NW BAND-TAILED PIGEON - roosting in a tree near entrance to Basalt Campground, an extremely rare bird in Merced County it was a county lifer for all of us including Peter who started birding Merced Co. in the 1970s Western Wood-pewee - Basalt/San Luis NWR/Merced NWR, multiples at all locations HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER - Merced NWR on Meadowlark Trail, very late CASSIN'S KINGBIRD - 3 at Basalt, including pair at nest near the spring, continuing birds previously reported Red-breasted Nuthatch - Merced NWR, Meadowlark Trail, very late Swainson's Thrush - multiples at all locations Yellow Warbler - several migrants at Basalt, 5+ singing on territory in Souza Marsh Townsend's Warbler - 2-3 singing migrants at Souza Marsh MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER - Basalt Campground and Merced NWR at Meadowlark Trail Wilson's Warbler - multiples at all locations Yellow-head Blackbird - pair at Merced NWR, Bittern Trail We also kept track of raptor sightings with the following: Northern Harrier - 9, pair making food exchange near Souza Marsh Osprey - O'Neill Forebay Cooper's Hawk - displaying pair above Souza Marsh Red-tailed Hawk - 16, including two Dark-morphs soaring together over Souza Marsh Swainson's Hawk - 68 throughout the day, 28 in one field on HWY 152 just east of UC Merced American Kestrel - 9, including pair with fledged juvenile at Basalt Campground nesting in old YB Magpie nest Loggerhead Shrike - 8, two pairs each around Basalt area and San Luis NWR Dominik Mosur San Francisco http://www.flickr.com/photos/dominikmosur/ ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 11:56:10 -0700 Steve brings up some good points and I discussed the Esparto situation with a prominent Tulare birder who called me for advice. Yolo birders reached a consensus agreement that the Esparto birds are escaped cagebirds, but I am inclined to think that the Tulare bird is wild--my gut feeling based upon the date and the fact that this species has been increasing its range with records as far north as Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley. Tulare seems well positioned to geographically for a wandering vagrant Inca Dove. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com On May 18, 2013, at 10:36 AM, Steve Hampton wrote: > FYI, for the last several years there have been 2-3 Inca Doves in Esparto, > CA (west of Woodland, Yolo County). They look and act wild. However, they > are almost assuredly escapees for the following reasons: > > 1) They hang out in town and attend feeders and have been present > year-round (not migrating). > 2) Esparto is primarily a Latino community and many have strong family ties > to Mexico. > 3) In Mexico, doves like these are commonly kept as pets. (I was recently > in Mexicali and saw dozens of Common Ground-Doves in the wild and dozens > more in cages in people's yards.) Doves are especially easy to keep in > cages. > > I strongly suspect the Esparto Inca Doves were transported here from Mexico > in cages and then escaped. I don't know what this means about the Tulare > bird, nor how one would really be able to distinguish between an escapee > and a vagrant. Note that escapees, based on the Esparto birds, can survive > years and go through molt, thus eliminating cage-wear. On the other hand, > many dove populations are expanding and the Central Valley seems like a > natural place for them. > > On Sat, May 18, 2013 at 6:48 AM, John Sterling wrote: > > > Nice work by Logan in digging up these records. > > > > > > John Sterling > > VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV > > > > 26 Palm Ave > > Woodland, CA 95695 > > 530 908-3836 > > jsterling AT wavecable.com > > > > > > Begin forwarded message: > > > > > From: "Logan" > > > Subject: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy > > > Date: May 17, 2013 11:59:53 PM PDT > > > To: tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com > > > > > > Hi all, > > > I wanted to mention that this would not only represent the first record > > of Inca Dove for the Central Valley, but also a first record for Northern > > California, in my opinion an overdue one. There are many extramarital > > records of this species, and I have made a list of some of the really > > far-flung vagrants (remarkably, all the extralimital records I could dig up > > in the records committee sites were also on eBird): > > > Lake county, northern Minnesota, November 2007 > > > Rainy River county, western Ontario, October 1992 > > > Rainy River county, western Ontario, September 2001 > > > Chippewa county, Michigan, October 2008 > > > Ozaukee county, eastern Wisconsin October-November 2011 > > > Prince George's county, Maryland November 2006 > > > Cabell county, northern West Virginia December 2007 > > > Hamblen county, eastern Tennessee, November 2006 > > > Prairie county, eastern Montana December 2006 > > > > > > Looking at this data, it seems like the peak is October-December. > > However, closer to home, it seems Spring vagrants are about as numerous as > > fall vagrants in the Mojave desert and in the Great Basin. With this > > pattern of vagrancy, I believe it is certainly possible for this bird to be > > wild. > > > > > > Sweet find, Dave! > > > > > > Good birding, > > > Logan Kahle > > > San Francisco > > > > > > --- In tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "calexandrinus" > > wrote: > > > > > > > > On May 16th Dane Fagundes thoroughly recorded an Inca Dove at his > > feeder. > > > > > > > > Local experts are sure it is an Inca Dove. > > > > > > > > Photos show no bands or signs of captivity. > > > > > > > > Papers are available on the expanding range of Inca Dove, they are > > illegal to have in captivity, and a local dove expert does not know of any > > local captives. > > > > > > > > A look at an Ebird range map will show a good number of records > > > > > > > > This is a first Central Valley Record > > > > > > > > Local and State experts feel that while not on their radar for a new > > Central Valley species they are not so surprised now that it has happened. > > > > > > > > The Tulare Co list now stands at 343 with this addition. > > > > > > > > John Lockhart > > > > Visalia > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Subject: siskins From: "Perrone, Michael AT DWR" <Michael.Perrone_Jr@water.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 18:56:11 +0000 On May 18 a pine siskin was near Slide Hill Park in Davis, Yolo Co., and on May 19 another was at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve. These were the first I had noted in two weeks. Michael Perrone Department of Water Resources Division of Environmental Services 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento CA 95691 (916) 376-9788 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Rose Breasted Grosbeak From: "jonetaylor" <jonetaylor1 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 02:53:20 -0000 This weekend a rose breasted grosbeak has been visiting my sunflower feeder. He is quite a beautiful bird. I have read that they are only occasionally in California. My home is near Bass Lake in central California. Happy Birding! Jone Taylor Wishon, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Swainson's Hawk? From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 16:32:49 -0700 yes, that is a Swainson's Hawk-- pale rufousy morph. Notice the white throat, dark head and breast, pointed wings. On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 3:54 PM, jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net < jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net> wrote: > ** > > > I've uploaded to the Birds of Prey folder a shot I took this morning that > I think is a Swainson's Hawk. I've only seen Swainson's a couple of times > and never in flight. This bird flew directly overhead when I had just > emerged from the path under the overpass at Pedrick Rd. off I-80 in Davis. > I'd parked in the lot off Pedrick and headed under the overpass walking > east along Putah Creek on the path that leads to the popular viewing area > near the large piles of driftwood. This area has a name that escapes me. > I'm the first to admit that I'm lousy at hawk ID so if this is not a > Swainson's, please correct me. Thanks. > > Jann Dorothy > Sacramento, CA > > > -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Swainson's Hawk? From: "jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net" <jann_dorothy@sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 22:54:34 -0000 I've uploaded to the Birds of Prey folder a shot I took this morning that I think is a Swainson's Hawk. I've only seen Swainson's a couple of times and never in flight. This bird flew directly overhead when I had just emerged from the path under the overpass at Pedrick Rd. off I-80 in Davis. I'd parked in the lot off Pedrick and headed under the overpass walking east along Putah Creek on the path that leads to the popular viewing area near the large piles of driftwood. This area has a name that escapes me. I'm the first to admit that I'm lousy at hawk ID so if this is not a Swainson's, please correct me. Thanks. Jann Dorothy Sacramento, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Del Puerto Canyon / San Antonio Valley From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 21:25:18 -0700 Folks, I led the my Palo Alto Adult School advanced birding group along Del Puerto Canyon and San Antonio Valley Roads again today. Conditions were cooler than last week, with many of the same birds encountered. Early highlights were in the grassland section (first 1/5 mile) with three BLUE GROSBEAKS being seen and heard. We missed Grasshopper Sparrow this week, but were rewarded at at MP3 with both ROCK WREN and COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were seen near the tree tobacco on the north side of the road. We found yet more BLUE GROSBEAKS along the cottonwood grove prior to Graffiti Rock. At Graffiti Rock itself we had a second male COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD, and the first of many RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS. Owl Canyon failed to produce any Owls, but many WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS were seen against the cliff face as well as a GOLDEN EAGLE, ASH- THROATED FLYCATCHER and SAY'S PHOEBE. In the short grass section near the corral we had a single PRAIRIE FALCON. The traditional Canyon Wren pull out where the creek crosses the road produced not only CANYON WREN, but ROCK WREN and several RUFOUS- CROWNED SPARROWS. A GREEN HERON, the first of several, was seen here. PHAINOPEPLA was seen less often today, but the first sighting was about a mile before the Frank Rains picnic area, and we continued to see the species a few other areas where mistletoe prevailed. We found at least 10 LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES throughout the day at various stops such as Frank Rains, the ATV Park, and the Junction. Along San Antonio Valley Road we found no less than 7 LEWIS'S WOODPECKER beginning about one mile south of the Junction, but continuing well past the large pond before the bend. Dragonflies / Damselflies seen: Flame Skimmer Black Saddlebags Blue-eyed Darner Common Whitetail Vivid Dancer Tule Bluet . . . Matthew Dodder Mountain View, CA http://www.birdguy.net http://www.zazzle.com/mdodder http://neornithes.wordpress.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: COSUMNES BIRDS- 18 MAY 2013 From: "John and Glennah Trochet" <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 18:36:02 -0700 Dear Birders, This morning's Tall Forest bird survey began at the Accidental Forest, with the temperature at 36 degrees (probably a degree or two cooler to the south, where there was ground fog). After visiting that area we walked down Wood Duck Slough, crossed the berm at the pump station (where overpumping the slough had a lot of water running by and over the berm) and into the south end of the Tall Forest proper. We came out the west side road, and then finished the survey by checking the several fields recently flooded in favor of organic rice. After a brief check of Desmond Rd. and Franklin Blvd., we called it a morning. It was a wonderful day to be out there. Ed Pandolfino got us our best bird, a(nother) yellow-breasted chat. We also had two olive-sided flycatchers, loads of western wood-pewees, a singing Pacific-slope flycatcher, a silent western flycatcher, four warbling vireos, some 20 Swainson's thrushes, four yellow warblers, two Townsend's warblers, two or three Wilson's warblers, and six western tanagers. The Desmond Road pond still had two snow geese and about 10 greater white-fronteds, but we could not find the Eurasian wigeon recently there. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Bank Swallows, Sheridan (Placer) From: "Ron Pozzi" <gbbirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 21:17:27 -0000 5-18-2013 Greetings Birders, Scott Dietrich and I observed 2 BANK SWALLOWS in front of the CEMEX Materials Plant in Sheridan last evening. We also had 2 BLUE GROSBEAKS along North Brewer Road near a creek-like drainage canal. This morning I observed and heard a SWAINSON'S THRUSH along Linda Creek in Roseville. Get Out There! Ron Pozzi Granite Bay, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Swainson's Hawks on Hwy. 105 From: Jeanine McElwain <jeanine.mcelwain AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 12:13:06 -0700 Hi, Yesterday evening I spotting the large flock of Swainson's hawks mixed in with great and cattle egret, sitting in a grassy field. Why would Swainson's hawks be sitting in the grass as opposed to actively hunting? Do egrets normally tolerate the proximity of so many hawks? Fascinating. Thanks, Jeanine McElwain -- Davis, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Another Sacramento County Yellow-Breasted Chat From: "danielamywelsh" <danielamywelsh AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 18:39:22 -0000 This morning (Sat., 5/18) at 10:00 I saw a Yellow-Breasted Chat at Sacramento Bar along the American River Parkway. It was singing loudly from a perch about 15 feet off the ground in a walnut tree along the trail about 200 yards upstream of San Juan Rapids. About 15 minutes later when I came back down the trail it was still singing but had dropped down into the blackberry patch and was no longer visible. This location is not too hard to get to if you don't mind walking a little. The best access point (and the way I got there) is Bannister Park in Fair Oaks. From downtown Sacramento go east on Hwy 50, take the Sunrise exit and go left, cross the American River then turn left on Fair Oaks Blvd, turn left again on Bannister Drive and follow it to the Bannister Park parking lot. From the parking lot walk down the paved bike path, cross a small creek, and turn right on a dirt trail marked by a green and white sign marked River Access. Follow this trail for about half a mile until you are almost to the river and the trail forks, with one fork crossing the small creek and going to San Juan Rapids and the other going upstream. Keep left and go upstream about 100 yards and listen and look for the chat. It was in the walnut trees on the right hand side of the trail. You will probably hear it before you see it. Good birding, Dan Welsh, Citrus Heights ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Fwd: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 10:36:25 -0700 FYI, for the last several years there have been 2-3 Inca Doves in Esparto, CA (west of Woodland, Yolo County). They look and act wild. However, they are almost assuredly escapees for the following reasons: 1) They hang out in town and attend feeders and have been present year-round (not migrating). 2) Esparto is primarily a Latino community and many have strong family ties to Mexico. 3) In Mexico, doves like these are commonly kept as pets. (I was recently in Mexicali and saw dozens of Common Ground-Doves in the wild and dozens more in cages in people's yards.) Doves are especially easy to keep in cages. I strongly suspect the Esparto Inca Doves were transported here from Mexico in cages and then escaped. I don't know what this means about the Tulare bird, nor how one would really be able to distinguish between an escapee and a vagrant. Note that escapees, based on the Esparto birds, can survive years and go through molt, thus eliminating cage-wear. On the other hand, many dove populations are expanding and the Central Valley seems like a natural place for them. On Sat, May 18, 2013 at 6:48 AM, John Sterling wrote: > Nice work by Logan in digging up these records. > > > John Sterling > VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV > > 26 Palm Ave > Woodland, CA 95695 > 530 908-3836 > jsterling AT wavecable.com > > > Begin forwarded message: > > > From: "Logan" > > Subject: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy > > Date: May 17, 2013 11:59:53 PM PDT > > To: tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com > > > > Hi all, > > I wanted to mention that this would not only represent the first record > of Inca Dove for the Central Valley, but also a first record for Northern > California, in my opinion an overdue one. There are many extramarital > records of this species, and I have made a list of some of the really > far-flung vagrants (remarkably, all the extralimital records I could dig up > in the records committee sites were also on eBird): > > Lake county, northern Minnesota, November 2007 > > Rainy River county, western Ontario, October 1992 > > Rainy River county, western Ontario, September 2001 > > Chippewa county, Michigan, October 2008 > > Ozaukee county, eastern Wisconsin October-November 2011 > > Prince George's county, Maryland November 2006 > > Cabell county, northern West Virginia December 2007 > > Hamblen county, eastern Tennessee, November 2006 > > Prairie county, eastern Montana December 2006 > > > > Looking at this data, it seems like the peak is October-December. > However, closer to home, it seems Spring vagrants are about as numerous as > fall vagrants in the Mojave desert and in the Great Basin. With this > pattern of vagrancy, I believe it is certainly possible for this bird to be > wild. > > > > Sweet find, Dave! > > > > Good birding, > > Logan Kahle > > San Francisco > > > > --- In tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "calexandrinus" > wrote: > > > > > > On May 16th Dane Fagundes thoroughly recorded an Inca Dove at his > feeder. > > > > > > Local experts are sure it is an Inca Dove. > > > > > > Photos show no bands or signs of captivity. > > > > > > Papers are available on the expanding range of Inca Dove, they are > illegal to have in captivity, and a local dove expert does not know of any > local captives. > > > > > > A look at an Ebird range map will show a good number of records > > > > > > This is a first Central Valley Record > > > > > > Local and State experts feel that while not on their radar for a new > Central Valley species they are not so surprised now that it has happened. > > > > > > The Tulare Co list now stands at 343 with this addition. > > > > > > John Lockhart > > > Visalia > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Subject: Fwd: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 06:48:10 -0700 Nice work by Logan in digging up these records. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com Begin forwarded message: > From: "Logan" > Subject: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy > Date: May 17, 2013 11:59:53 PM PDT > To: tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com > > Hi all, > I wanted to mention that this would not only represent the first record of Inca Dove for the Central Valley, but also a first record for Northern California, in my opinion an overdue one. There are many extramarital records of this species, and I have made a list of some of the really far-flung vagrants (remarkably, all the extralimital records I could dig up in the records committee sites were also on eBird): > Lake county, northern Minnesota, November 2007 > Rainy River county, western Ontario, October 1992 > Rainy River county, western Ontario, September 2001 > Chippewa county, Michigan, October 2008 > Ozaukee county, eastern Wisconsin October-November 2011 > Prince George's county, Maryland November 2006 > Cabell county, northern West Virginia December 2007 > Hamblen county, eastern Tennessee, November 2006 > Prairie county, eastern Montana December 2006 > > Looking at this data, it seems like the peak is October-December. However, closer to home, it seems Spring vagrants are about as numerous as fall vagrants in the Mojave desert and in the Great Basin. With this pattern of vagrancy, I believe it is certainly possible for this bird to be wild. > > Sweet find, Dave! > > Good birding, > Logan Kahle > San Francisco > > --- In tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "calexandrinus" wrote: > > > > On May 16th Dane Fagundes thoroughly recorded an Inca Dove at his feeder. > > > > Local experts are sure it is an Inca Dove. > > > > Photos show no bands or signs of captivity. > > > > Papers are available on the expanding range of Inca Dove, they are illegal to have in captivity, and a local dove expert does not know of any local captives. > > > > A look at an Ebird range map will show a good number of records > > > > This is a first Central Valley Record > > > > Local and State experts feel that while not on their radar for a new Central Valley species they are not so surprised now that it has happened. > > > > The Tulare Co list now stands at 343 with this addition. > > > > John Lockhart > > Visalia > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Identification help needed From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 17:10:59 -0700 yes, nice dark rufous morph Swainson's Hawk. On Fri, May 17, 2013 at 4:55 PM, Dennis Pleau wrote: > ** > > > I put a picture of a hawk in 'Identification Help' needed folder. Maybe a > dark morph Swainson's? It couldn't carry the ground squirrel and wasn't > going to give it up. > > Taken at the intersection of Yolo County Road 25 and Henry Lorenzo. > > Dennis Pleau > > Woodland, CA > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Identification help needed From: "Dennis Pleau" <dpleau AT wavecable.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 16:55:34 -0700 I put a picture of a hawk in 'Identification Help' needed folder. Maybe a dark morph Swainson's? It couldn't carry the ground squirrel and wasn't going to give it up. Taken at the intersection of Yolo County Road 25 and Henry Lorenzo. Dennis Pleau Woodland, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Chat and others on Putah Creek near Winters From: "Andy Engilis, Jr." <aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 12:16:58 -0700 This morning I found a Yellow-breasted Chat on Putah Creek near its confluence with Dry Creek (in the town of Winters). The bird was on private property. Also present was a Hooded Oriole (not regular on this stretch of the creek), many Swainson's Thrushes and a suspicious pair of Yellow Warblers (male shadowing a female). Andy Andrew Engilis, Jr. Curator Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 USA Office Phone: 530-752-0364 FAX: 530-752-4154 E-mail: aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Yellow-breasted Chat x 2 at Cache Creek Settling Basin From: Ron Melcer <corvid88 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 11:57:45 -0700 Birders, A good spring for chats... While surveying Cache Creek Settling Basin in Yolo County this morning there were two individuals vocalizing from seemingly ideal shrubby habitat consisting of young willows, mulefat, and tall lepidium and cocklebur. The basin has acres of perfect habitat for Least Bells Vireo- none detected however. Ron Melcer Sacramento, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Cosumnes Tall Forest bird survey Saturday, 18 May From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 13:53:07 -0700 Dear Birders, This month's survey will depart through the Farm Center gate, corner of Bruceville and Desmond Roads, promptly at 05:30. Bring mosquito repellent. Footwear is your choice. Water should not be an issue. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: continuing late waterfowl at CRP From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 13:48:52 -0700 Dear Birders, On the way home from a survey down at the Cosumnes River Preserve, I stopped briefly along Desmond Road to check the ponds. The male Eurasian wigeon and the snow and white-fronted geese were on or adjacent to the pond north of the road, the wigeon near the west end of the water. In the small tule patch nearest the road about midway (east-west) in the pond, a great-tailed grackle female was nest building. Great news, eh? Only small numbers of some of the most typical migrants were detected on survey. -- John Trochet Sacramento, California trochetj AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Swainson's Hawks at Road 105, Davis From: "szafrica77" <slmayhew77 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 05:37:20 -0000 Thought I'd check outall the Swainson's Hawks at Road 105 that was reported and stopped first at Road 103. Across the street from the large Eucalyptus grove was a newly mown alfalfa field and I think most of the Swainson's Hawks were there, probably about 100. Impressive! Also Red-tailed Hawks mixed in and Turkey Vultures. Lots of squabbling going on. After awhile most had flown off so I went over to Road 105. They seemed to have moved over there in the field that was being flood irrigated close to Road 30. The field was filled with Swainson's Hawks, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Ibis. Quite a crowd! Sarah Mayhew Davis ------------------------------------ Subject: recent Putah Creek birds From: "John and Glennah Trochet" <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 20:33:23 -0700 Dear Birders, This morning I did a point count survey along the Yolo side of Putah Creek between Hopkins and Pedrick Roads, followed by some atlassing on private property a bit upstream of Winters. I had a pine siskin at two points of my survey, possibly the same bird separated by half an hour and a quarter mile. Other migrants were not often encountered- two Townsend's warblers and three western tanagers. On the other hand, the stretch atlassed had higher encounter rates of interesting things. In one short patch of lovely riparian gallery woodland, I had an olive-sided flycatcher, a western flycatcher, and beaucoup Swainson's thrushes and western tanagers. I'm willing to say that there were about 10-12 tanagers, but I'm really at a loss to estimate the number of thrushes. There were lots singing and calling on both sides of a small opening in the woods there. Six Swainson's thrushes flipped across the gap to the trees farther from the creek, seemingly neither diminishing the vocal output next to the water nor increasing it on the other side. Thirty seems a low end estimate? There were another 8-10 elsewhere on that property, too. Yesterday I surveyed near Winters at two sites. Migrants were seemingly very clumped, with all the Wilson's warblers in one spot, Townsend's warblers in another, Swainson's thrushes at a third spot, warbling vireos in yet another, with three to five of each. The exceptions were Cassin's vireos- six widely spaced- and western tanagers- five scattered singletons. I also has a single western wood-pewee and two orange-crowned warblers. The morning's highlight was actually a shrew, the first I've seen alive in a long time. I learned from Melanie Truan that the brown creepers are nesting again on private property upstream of Winters on the Solano County side. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Cosumnes Birds - 05/15 From: "Leslie Flint" <lflint AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 23:18:02 -0000 Hi all, Spent a few hours at Cosumnes today working on adding to my county list. Bird of note is the EURASIAN WIGEON which is still present on the north pond of Desmond Road. Also present were 3 snow geese and 12 greater white-fronted geese. Also saw a spotted sandpiper and Whimbrel in the same pond. A male black-chinned hummingbird was actively keeping all hummers away from the feeders at the Visitor's Center - a female tried hard however, she would hover below the deck railing level and even sit on the railing scoping out the situation and then dash to the feeder before the male could see her! Otherwise it was pretty quiet with a strong wind. I had 6 sightings of Swainson's hawk both along the River Walk and along Desmond; could well have been the same two birds, but couldn't tell. Lots of Ash-throated Flycatchers around. Wonderful singing Yellow Warbler, my first of the season. Added 15 birds to my county list. Leslie Flint San Mateo ------------------------------------ Subject: WFO Conference Registration Opens; Scholarships Available From: Frances Oliver <hummer52ffo AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 10:53:58 -0700 (PDT) Hi, Birders: Registration is now open to all for the 38th Annual Conference of Western Field Ornithologists, in Olympia WA August 22-25. Go to the WFO web site (http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/conference.php) to get more info and register. Given the many options available, we recommend that you download the Conference Details document from the website before you click on the REGISTER NOW button to begin registration. This joint Conference with the Washington Ornithological Society, hosted by Black Hills Audubon Society, includes: - Workshops to enhance your field skills   - Fall Warblers: Jon Dunn and Kimball Garrett   - Sapsuckers – ID challenges and research update: Steve Shunk   - Gull Identification: Mike Donahue   - Dragonflies: Dennis Paulson (includes both classroom and field sessions)   - Wilderness First Aid: Heath Wakelee   - Making full use of eBird: Brian Sullivan - Keynote talk by John Marzluff, on Those Amazing Corvids - Two sessions of talks on recent research in the region with a plenary talk by Dennis Paulson - A full set of field trips (including Pelagics) - Photo and Bird Sounds ID sessions This year WFO is awarding two Pasadena Audubon/WFO Youth Scholarships to defray expenses of attending this conference. Go to (http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/scholarship.php) for details. Frances  Oliver Lodi, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: 128 Swainson's Hawks on the ground near Davis From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 07:50:49 -0700 For the past several days many Swainson's Hawks have been gathering in some cut alfalfa fields along Rd 105 near Rd 30 east of Davis. Yesterday I counted 128 on the ground at one time. A pic of some of them is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7202050 AT N04/8740657580/ It's a good chance to see some of the white-headed immatures that resemble Rough-legged Hawks. good birding, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Alaska May 16 Sac Audubon@Effie Yeaw Nature Center From: "Sally M. Walters" <bajaowl AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 10:39:10 -0700 Tour Huge Alaskan Reserve At May 16 SACRAMENTO Audubon Meeting An Alaskan wilderness reserve that’s America’s largest tract of virtually undisturbed public land will be toured in a multi-media presentation at the May 16 meeting of the Sacramento Audubon Society. Speaker Debbie S. Miller is known for delighting audiences with personal stories of her years of traveling through Alaska’s wild lands and exploring this 23-million acre stretch of wilderness in the far northwest corner of Alaska. She has written several books on Alaska, and received the 1999 Refuge Hero award from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for her writing, education, and conservation work. The reserve is home to grizzly bears, a variety of nesting birds, and America’s largest caribou herd, as well as the world’s largest bed of Arctic dinosaur bones. Officially it’s the “National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska”, having been designated a Naval Petroleum Reserve in the 1920s. About half of it is still open to oil and gas development under a plan announced in February by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, though little work has actually been done there. The public is invited to the 7 p.m. meeting at Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Ancil Hoffman Park (For directions, see sacnaturecenter.com). There will be no charge for the program or parking, and NO park-entry fee. SallyWalters & DonSchmoldt Sacramento County, Ca BajaOwl AT Gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Iron horse sewage ponds - where? From: "Michael Feighner" <feinerVogel94551 AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 09:46:15 -0700 I too did a Google Search of "Iron Horse Sewage Ponds". First item was John Sterling's same report posted on East Bay Birds; second item was Bruce Webb's email asking about the location of the ponds. I subscribe to both CVBirds and East Bay Birds, but since both groups were addressed in the same email, one of the two does not reach the inbox. Guess which one. For this reason I like to send a separate identical email to each group. Although East Birds covers only Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, like CVBirds I have always requested that either Contra Costa or Alameda County be included in the subject line. I am also moderator of North Bay Birds, which covers 5 Counties, and I am always at a loss of general compliance to get posters to always include the county name, which others do comply. By the way, Iron Horse Ponds are in eastern Contra Costa County: "The Iron House Sanitary District is a newly discovered hotspot with a lot of potential. To reach the area take Hwy 4 east to Oakley. Note that you must exit the freeway to stay on Hwy 4 which becomes a two-lane road. In a few miles turn left on Vintage Parkway and go over the freeway. Turn right onto Walnut Meadows and left onto Jordan. The trailhead is right in front of you." <--- http://www.diabloaudubon.org/local_habitat.php Winston Churchill:  "There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction." -- Michael Feighner Livermore, CA, Alameda County http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfeighner      -----Original Message----- From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Webb Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 8:11 AM To: John Sterling Cc: Central_Valley_Birds AT Yahoogroups. Com Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Iron horse sewage ponds - where? John: Even a Google search did not help me find "Iron horse sewage ponds." One thing that CVBirds posting guidelines asks is that people give the readers at minimum in what county your birding location can be found. But, even better, directions like towns, crossroads, etc are helpful. Bruce Webb Granite Bay On 5/14/2013 7:44 AM, John Sterling wrote: > > Yesterday I heard a black rail at the marsh adjacent to the ponds and > a young male Barrow's Goldeneye with a female common goldeneye in the > main, deep pond. > > Sent from my iPad > > John Sterling > 530 908-3836 > 26 Palm Ave > Woodland, CA 95695 > > -- Bruce Webb Granite Bay, CA 'Have scope - Will travel' ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Iron horse sewage ponds - where? From: Bruce Webb <BruWebb AT surewest.net> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 08:11:12 -0700 John: Even a Google search did not help me find "Iron horse sewage ponds." One thing that CVBirds posting guidelines asks is that people give the readers at minimum in what county your birding location can be found. But, even better, directions like towns, crossroads, etc are helpful. Bruce Webb Granite Bay On 5/14/2013 7:44 AM, John Sterling wrote: > > Yesterday I heard a black rail at the marsh adjacent to the ponds and > a young male Barrow's Goldeneye with a female common goldeneye in the > main, deep pond. > > Sent from my iPad > > John Sterling > 530 908-3836 > 26 Palm Ave > Woodland, CA 95695 > > -- Bruce Webb Granite Bay, CA 'Have scope - Will travel' [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Merced Cassin's kingbirds From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 07:42:35 -0700 Yesterday at 2 pm I found two pairs of Cassin's kingbirds at the Basalt campground which is next to San Luis Reservoir. One pair was at campsite 1 and flew towards the entrance kiosk and another pair was at the south end of the campground at site 60. There could have been more as I didn't cover the entire area and it was a bad time of day. I suspect that both pairs are breeding there. Sent from my iPad John Sterling 530 908-3836 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 ------------------------------------ Subject: some local birds and PRBO news From: John Harris <johnh AT mills.edu> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 14:51:34 -0700 Hi all, While walking my dog today at Orange Blossom Recreation Area on the Stanislaus River, we had a Western Wood Pewee and a Green Heron. On another front, and I hope this isn't too far off topic for the list, many of you may have heard about recent events regarding PRBO's proposed name and logo change. I am pasting below some information regarding efforts of a group of members to have PRBO conduct a vote of the members on these changes. Any of you who are members have probably, like me, received an email from PRBO encouraging you to send in your proxy vote. The information below is pasted with permission of Len Blumin. Additional note of interest to members and supporters of PRBO Conservation Science: If you are a member of PRBO you likely received a proxy ballot recently, as well as an email today urging you to complete and return the proxy statement (see below). If you were wondering what to do about your ballot, read on. Many of us are concerned that the PRBO membership has not had a voice regarding the name change to "Point Blue Conservation Science". Four of us met with Ellie Cohen and Ed Sarti and specifically requested that the membership be allowed to vote on the name change at the Annual Meeting on June 5th. Our request was summarily denied, with words like "this is not a democracy". We did not feel their response was acceptable. Our meeting had a distinct "corporate" atmosphere, and it wasn't fun, and we still feel that members can and should be heard. The current PRBO proxy ballot offers you an opportunity to at least indirectly send a message to the PRBO leadership and to the PRBO Board that you are *not happy* with the recent developments in the organization. A vote on your proxy to "Withhold" approval on all nominees will tell them that this is not business as usual, and that membership is speaking out. Withholding your vote could mean that for the current election that a qualified directors may have to wait a while for election to the Board, which is unfortunate. Besides withholding your vote, you may also consider the option of crossing out the names Ellie Cohen and Edward Sarti, and inserting the names Leonard Blumin and Patricia Blumin. Whatever your feelings, vote! Please also consider writing to Ellie [ecohen AT prbo.org] and Ed [ riverhiker AT aol.com] and others on the PRBO Board to express your support or concern about recent events, if you haven't already done so. And hopefully some of you will attend the "informational meeting" on May 19th (see below). So far we have read a lot of about the name "Point Blue", and a vision of how the change is going to help the organization move on to bigger and better things. For some of us the words rang hollow, and or even didn't seem to make sense. PRBO has achieved stunning success using the name "PRBO Conservation Science". Why change now, and leave behind the rich heritage and a connection to that magnificent natural landscape? Point Blue? Seriously?? PRBO ("Point Reyes Bird Observatory" remains the legal name today, btw), with its talented staff and leadership, has been a leader in conservation science for decades, and its programs have enriched the lives of many supporters and lovers of the natural environment. We who are members of the "Yes or No on Point Blue" committee hope to the organization continue its fine work in a manner that respects the beliefs and values of it staff and members. From a recent PRBO email: Your 2013 PRBO proxy statement was mailed to you this week. Your vote is very important. Thank you for completing and returning your proxy as soon possible in the postage-paid envelope provided. We hope you will also join us for an informational meeting on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 10-11:30 AM at our Petaluma headquarters about our strategic priorities and our transition to *Point Blue Conservation Science*. RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing Nancy Gamble at ngamble AT prbo.org?subject=RSVP%20for%20May%2019th> . Hope we have not offended you with our advocacy views on this usually neutral birding group page Cheers, Len Blumin and Patti Blumin, Mill Valley, California Members of the "Yes or No on Point Blue" committee len.blumin AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Cosumnes birds- 11 May 2013 From: "Andy Engilis, Jr." <aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 10:33:34 -0700 John - The same day around 4:30pm there were two Black Terns over the ponds along Desmond Road at the Preserve. These are not regular at the Preserve. Thought you might be interested. Andy Andrew Engilis, Jr. Curator Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 USA Office Phone: 530-752-0364 FAX: 530-752-4154 E-mail: aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John and Glennah Trochet Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 10:13 AM To: CV Birds Subject: [CVBirds] Cosumnes birds- 11 May 2013 Dear Birders, On Saturday I helped briefly on Jim Rowoth's River Walk bird survey and then on Kevin Guse's birding tour at the Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County. For the former I covered the mostly dry TNC Barn ponds and did some owling (turning up no owls) out in the savanna; for the latter we walked part of the Wetlands Walk, the River Walk, ate lunch under the hummingbird feeders at the Visitor Center, looked at the Desmond Road ponds and concluded with a quick tour of the Twin Cities Unit. On the bridge behind the VC, we ran into Jim, who related his better finds. I hope he will not mind if I pass them along here. Jim had the bird of the day, a singing northern parula out at The Point. Also there they had a red-breasted nuthatch. He also told us that they had three hermit warblers and a couple of Townsend's warblers. As far as Kevin and I were concerned, we had a few things of moderate interest. These included the following: greater white-fronted goose- 6 snow goose- 3 (only two later in the morning) blue-winged teal- 4 (two pairs) ring-necked duck- 2 ruddy duck- 2 osprey- 1 semipalmated plover- 1 spotted sandpiper- 1 (I wonder if this is the same bird seen last weekend in the same place, the pond west of Franklin Blvd. opposite the VC) dunlin- 9 (almost all deserving the old name, red-backed sandpiper) Wilson's snipe- 1 Wilson's phalarope- 3 burrowing owl- 1 Hammond's flycatcher- 1 Cassin's vireo- 1 warbling vireo- 2 horned lark- 1 orange-crowned warbler- 2 yellow warbler- 4 Townsend's warbler- 2 common yellowthroat- 7 Wilson's warbler- 5 yellow-breasted chat- 1 (heard only, "singing" from the west margin of the slough north of the bridge behind the VC) western tanager- 6 black-headed grosbeak- 1 blue grosbeak- 2 lazuli bunting- 5 yellow-headed blackbird- 1 It was funny that Michael Perrone mentioned evening grosbeak, because I, too, thought I heard one call a couple of times. But I couldn't find it, or anything else, in the tree from which the sounds seemed to come. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Cosumnes birds- 11 May 2013 From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 10:13:14 -0700 Dear Birders, On Saturday I helped briefly on Jim Rowoth's River Walk bird survey and then on Kevin Guse's birding tour at the Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County. For the former I covered the mostly dry TNC Barn ponds and did some owling (turning up no owls) out in the savanna; for the latter we walked part of the Wetlands Walk, the River Walk, ate lunch under the hummingbird feeders at the Visitor Center, looked at the Desmond Road ponds and concluded with a quick tour of the Twin Cities Unit. On the bridge behind the VC, we ran into Jim, who related his better finds. I hope he will not mind if I pass them along here. Jim had the bird of the day, a singing northern parula out at The Point. Also there they had a red-breasted nuthatch. He also told us that they had three hermit warblers and a couple of Townsend's warblers. As far as Kevin and I were concerned, we had a few things of moderate interest. These included the following: greater white-fronted goose- 6 snow goose- 3 (only two later in the morning) blue-winged teal- 4 (two pairs) ring-necked duck- 2 ruddy duck- 2 osprey- 1 semipalmated plover- 1 spotted sandpiper- 1 (I wonder if this is the same bird seen last weekend in the same place, the pond west of Franklin Blvd. opposite the VC) dunlin- 9 (almost all deserving the old name, red-backed sandpiper) Wilson's snipe- 1 Wilson's phalarope- 3 burrowing owl- 1 Hammond's flycatcher- 1 Cassin's vireo- 1 warbling vireo- 2 horned lark- 1 orange-crowned warbler- 2 yellow warbler- 4 Townsend's warbler- 2 common yellowthroat- 7 Wilson's warbler- 5 yellow-breasted chat- 1 (heard only, "singing" from the west margin of the slough north of the bridge behind the VC) western tanager- 6 black-headed grosbeak- 1 blue grosbeak- 2 lazuli bunting- 5 yellow-headed blackbird- 1 It was funny that Michael Perrone mentioned evening grosbeak, because I, too, thought I heard one call a couple of times. But I couldn't find it, or anything else, in the tree from which the sounds seemed to come. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Sacramento Bypass Gray Fly, Chat, and Bobcat From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 09:42:32 -0700 This morning along the north edge of the Sacramento Bypass there was a GRAY FLYCATCHER, calling occasionally, at the nw corner of the bypass. There's a slighly isolated clump of willows here. The singing YELLOW-BR CHAT reported last week was continuing, singing from a concealed perch in the thickets across the East Toe Drain from this spot. Several buntings were calling but I didn't see them-- they should be checked, as the last two years have produced Indigo and hybrids from this area. A BLUE GROSBEAK was singing from where the paved road leaves the levee, where you park. The highlight, however, was a young BOBCAT. It ran back and forth across River Rd south of the bypass near the police academy. It seemed less than full-grown. This is the first bobcat I've seen on the valley floor. good birding, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Yolo County over the weekend From: "Perrone, Michael AT DWR" <Michael.Perrone_Jr@water.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 15:36:29 +0000 On May 11 a visit to the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve yielded a Hammond's flycatcher and four hermit, three Townsend's and one black-throated gray warbler. I twice thought I heard an evening grosbeak, but wasn't certain. On May 12 a red-breasted nuthatch was in Slide Hill Park in Davis. Michael Perrone Department of Water Resources Division of Environmental Services 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento CA 95691 (916) 376-9788 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: CVBC Field trip to Electa road May 29th From: Frances Oliver <hummer52ffo AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 00:04:59 -0700 (PDT) CVBC members, On Wednesday, May 29th, the Central Valley Bird Club (CVBC) is offering a morning birding trip to Electra Rd in Amador Co. This trip is part of the series of county-focused trips in the Central Valley/or neighboring foothill counties. Since the weather is so much warmer in the valley this time of year, may of the CV birders tend to bird where it is cooler, thus the reason expanding our outreach to neighboring foothill counties. It is free (*) to CVBC members. The trip will be led by Frances Oliver and Joanne Katanic. We will start at 8 AM and end by Noon. Electra Rd is known for its many singing Yellow-breasted Chats. Since this area is primarily Oak woodland habitat, expect such birds as House Wrens, Wilson's & Yellow Warbler, Lazuli Bunting and Black-headed Grosbeak. Plan to meet Joanne & Frances at 7:30 AM in the parking lot at Mel's Diner, 31 N State Highway 88 in Jackson. To keep the number of cars to a minimum, we plan to carpool to the area. Please call or email us to reserve a spot since registration is limited to 15 participants. * If you attended the last Symposium, your registration fees cover your annual membership. We won’t be checking your membership, but strongly encourage you to join and support the Central Valley Bird Club and its programs, which include the Bulletin, the Symposium, the Youth Scholarship and an expanding young birder program, field trips, this listserve, support for citizen science, conservation and more: http://cvbirds.org/membership.htm Frances & Joanne 209-369-2010 Hummer52 AT sbcglobal.net Frances [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Male Rufous/Allen's hummer From: Manfred Kusch <makusch AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 08:04:26 -0700 This morning, a male, in all likelihood, Rufous Hummingbird showed up at one of my feeders, among the many Black-chinned and a few Anna's. In fact, he is there right now. Not a green feather on his back. Manfred Kusch Sent from my iPad ------------------------------------ Subject: Del Puerto Canyon, San Antonio Valley and Mines Roads From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 11 May 2013 22:26:05 -0700 All, Today I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding class through Del Puerto Canyon beginning outside of Patterson and ending up near Livermore. It was a fabulous day with most targets found, and not too much traffic. It was HOT though... Carry lots of water! The excitement began early with a 7:00 start on the east end of Del Puerto Canyon Road. An immature SWAINSON'S HAWK appeared at the base of Del Puerto Canyon Road, offering nice comparisons to the nearby RED-TAILED HAWK. The first three BLUE GROSBEAKS were in drainage at the base of the incline before the cattle guard. Over the next two miles we encountered no less than eight BLUE GROSBEAKS for a total of 11 individuals. We also encountered at least two GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS on the grassy hillside across from the recent orchards near the first cattle guard. This has been a tough species the past few years. COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD was first encountered at MP 3, and then again at Graffiti Rock for a total of three birds, 2 males and one female during our tour. Two female LAZULI BUNTINGS and a PHAINOPEPLA were seen at Graffiti Rock as well as ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, many WHITE- THROATED SWIFTS and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS. SAYS'S PHOEBE was seen/heard repeatedly during our visit, as were RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, and ROCK WREN. Shortly before our traditional Canyon Wren stop, which failed to produce much other than a GREEN HERON we had managed to hear CANYON WREN along the road, but never saw it. LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES were seen and heard at Frank Rains Campground but no Northern Pygmy Owl for us this year. The TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD colony in Santa Clara County seemed smaller than last year, but still had enough birds for us to enjoy thoroughly. At least 10 LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS were found along San Antonio Valley Road, all south of the junction and into the hills on the far end of the valley. A pair of WOOD DUCKS was seen at the small pond before the right hand turn below the junction. Also present on the pond was a pair of CANADA GOOSE. Odonates seen on our tour include CALIFORNIA DARNER, COMMON GREEN DARNER, FLAME SKIMMER. COMMON WHITE TAIL, VIVID DANCER. . . . Matthew Dodder Mountain View, CA http://neornithes.wordpress.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: dusky flycatcher in Davis From: "Perrone, Michael AT DWR" <Michael.Perrone_Jr@water.ca.gov> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 23:24:01 +0000 Yesterday evening, May 9, a dusky flycatcher was in my yard near Slide Hill Park in Davis, Yolo Co. Michael Perrone Department of Water Resources Division of Environmental Services 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento CA 95691 (916) 376-9788 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Black-headed Grosbeaks and other birds From: Manfred Kusch <makusch AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 14:37:24 -0700 This morning I observed 5 male BH Grosbeaks at my seed feeder in back of the house while two more were gobbling up some grape jetty in front of the house. I had noticed that their singing had increased as of late and more and more females were showing up. But I still was surprised to see so many of them simultaneously. So I was curious to see whether they were going to breed again in large numbers in my garden as four years ago when I found a total of 12 nests by the end of the season. I had found one nest a few days ago in a lilac bush where they had nested successfully last year and had noticed a second nest not far from last year's old nest in the same bush but had assumed that it had been abandoned in favor of the nest I had just found and which had the female and male taking turns incubating. To my surprise, I discovered today that this second nest is also occupied. I had no idea that these birds that are quite territorial would tolerate another nesting pair not much more than 6ft away, both nests 6-7ft up, in the same bush. Since the males usually sing from a perch not far from the nest, these two males must have found perches far enough apart not to provoke each other. When they sit on their nests, however, (both males and females incubate) they can clearly see each other. Encouraged by this find, I looked in another lilac bush where a pair had nested last year, and sure enough, there was another nest. When I got too close accidentally (before seeing the nest), the female left the nest, which is only 4-5 ft above the ground, and allowed me to look inside the nest where I found 4 grosbeak eggs plus one Brown-headed Cowbird egg, which, as a courtesy, I removed. There are also at least 2 BH Grosbeak males singing in the riparian woodland directly adjacent to my garden. Oriole numbers, both Hooded and Bullock's are above last year's high level. Counting first-year males, there must be at least 10 Hooded and 5-6 Bullock's males. The first batch of Hooded have hatched and are being fed by their parents. As I have noticed in other areas in the countryside, Western Kingbirds readily nest in all kinds of trees, palms, eucalyptus, sycamores, cottonwoods, but also seem to have a peculiar fondness for the lower of the two brackets that attach transformers to power poles. For at least the fourth time a pair has built a nest in that location either at my neighbor's transformer or the one in front of my house. I have also noticed this elsewhere. I estimate that over 100 hummingbirds, a few Anna's and the rest all Black-chinned, are calling my garden home for the season. In the evening, before turning in, about 50 swarm around the five feeders at any given time, and I am back to dispensing a gallon of sugar water a day. Well, it's a a labor of love, since I never get tired of watching them. Along the creek, the action is subdued but not completely dead. These past two days, I have found typically about 6-10 Wilson's Warblers, 2 Black-throated Gray, and one Yellow warbler, 2-3 Ash-throated Flycatchers, 2-3 Pac. Sl. Flycatchers, 1 Western Wood Pewee, 2-5 Western Tanagers, several Swainson's Thrushes (mostly heard), and a sprinkling of Black-chinned hummers in addition to the usual suspects.. The Red-tailes Hawks have two chicks each. As reported earlier, Wood Ducks have been quite late in coming to my nest boxes. While others have reported ducklings that left their boxes weeks ago, a check of my 8 boxes today revealed only one box that had been vacated (by about 10 ducklings) leaving behind two infertile eggs. The other 7 boxes still had hens sitting tight on their eggs. It will be interesting to see how many second broods will be attempted so late in the season. Manfred Kusch Davis/Winters makusch AT ucdavis.edu 707-678-1027 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Tricolored Blackbirds - photos From: M. Bruce Grosjean <mbgsf AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 12:49:50 -0700 I would like to thank Bob Meese for gaining me access to a private tract of Sacramento County land, not far from the location mentioned on the Tricolored Blackbird Portal. It was a fascinating morning of observation and some better than average photo opportunities. The attached slideshow contains 30 images and lasts about three minutes. Bruce http://bit.ly/15CfejY M. Bruce Grosjean San Francisco, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Sacramento County Burrowing Owls, Redheads From: fgray4birds AT aol.com Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 15:19:36 -0400 (EDT) Hello. This morning I saw 4 Redheads (2 males and 2 females) periodically sleeping together on open water directly east of East Levee Road. This area is north of West Elkhorn Boulevard and South of Elverta Road. There was also a female Canvasback in that area at the same approximate time. Also in that area then were 11 American White Pelicans, dowitchers, and various other water-associated birds. It seemed a bit unusual to see either duck species there now. East Levee road is a narrow two lane road with few pullouts for parking and there is very little space along the road for walking, so caution is advised. I also saw 6 Burrowing Owls at a previously reported spot. It is just north of West Elkhorn Boulevard, west of E. Levee Road, and East of Sageview Drive. The site has concrete and piles of brush. There may have been more owls there since I only made a cursory count. This site is posted private property and visitors should not go past the fence for any reason. Good birding to everyone. Frank Gray Antelope Frank Gray Antelope [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Plumbeous Vireo in south Davis From: "M" <masam321 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 16:42:25 -0000 I tried for the Plumbeous Vireo this morning between about 8 and 9 with no success. East of the foot bridge I had a nice male MacGillivray's Warbler, and west of the bridge I had a Cassin's Vireo, a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Western Tanager, and a late Golden-crowned sparrow. Michael Strom Davis --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, claire gallagher wrote: > > Thank you Steve, for getting the word out about this bird. > > Just before noon, the PLUMBEOUS VIREO was in the same vicinity as > described in Steve's email, with 2 CASSIN'S VIREOS associating with it. > The two Cassin's Vireos were a very welcome and appreciated direct > comparison, both visual and audio. > > The Plumbeous Vireo song was burry, similar to the Cassin's, but > mellower and softer toned, gentler, with a slightly deeper pitch. It > made the Cassin's sound a bit frantic and anxious, with more shrill and > piercing tones-- which I wouldn't have said about Cassin's before > hearing them alongside the Plumbeous. The Plumbeous sounded like a > Cassin's that had taken a chill pill. > > All 3 vireos, plus a WARBLING VIREO, were foraging in the oaks east of > the Rosario foot bridge, near a chain-link gate. > > Good birding! > > Claire Gallagher > Woodland > > > > Steve Hampton > > May 9, 2013 7:20 PM > > > > I heard that Claire Gallagher refound the bird around noon; it was > > with two > > Cassin's Vireos by then! > > > > On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 11:40 AM, Steve Hampton > > >wrote: > > > > > This morning there was a singing PLUMBEOUS VIREO in south Davis along > > > Willowbank Ditch (old Putah Creek) just east of the Rosario foot bridge. > > > Look for Rosario on a map and see where it crosses the creek at the > > north > > > end. Also accessed from w end of San Marino off Mace. > > > > > > Cassin's can be quite drab this time of year with yellow hard to > > see, but > > > this bird offered close looks and was all gray and white, with a gray > > > half-vest and gray flanks; also no hint of green on the back. > > > > > > Song was 95% scratchy notes. > > > > > > Lots of Swainson's Thrushes here and at Grasslands Park. Best bird there > > > was a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > > > > > Full ebird lists: > > > Grasslands: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049729 > > > Willowbank: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049760 > > > > > > good birding, > > > > > > -- > > > Steve Hampton > > > Davis, CA > > > > > > > -- > > Steve Hampton > > Davis, CA > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > Steve Hampton > > May 9, 2013 11:40 AM > > > > This morning there was a singing PLUMBEOUS VIREO in south Davis along > > Willowbank Ditch (old Putah Creek) just east of the Rosario foot bridge. > > Look for Rosario on a map and see where it crosses the creek at the north > > end. Also accessed from w end of San Marino off Mace. > > > > Cassin's can be quite drab this time of year with yellow hard to see, but > > this bird offered close looks and was all gray and white, with a gray > > half-vest and gray flanks; also no hint of green on the back. > > > > Song was 95% scratchy notes. > > > > Lots of Swainson's Thrushes here and at Grasslands Park. Best bird there > > was a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > > > Full ebird lists: > > Grasslands: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049729 > > Willowbank: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049760 > > > > good birding, > > > > -- > > Steve Hampton > > Davis, CA > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Black-headed Grosbeak (correction) From: Sylvia Wright <swright AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 15:43:48 +0000 Correction: E-bird shows I had a female grosbeak last year on May 15. The memory is definitely not what it once was! But the upside is enjoying events as if they were brand-new. Sylvia Wright south Davis (Yolo County), Calif. ________________________________________ From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] on behalf of Sylvia Wright [swright AT ucdavis.edu] Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 8:28 AM Thanks to Sarah's post, I topped up my black-oil sunflower seed tray feeder, and just minutes ago had my first-ever Black-headed Grosbeak! It was a female, and a nearby house finch provided a nice size comparison. Sylvia Sylvia Wright south Davis (Yolo County), Calif. _______________________________________ From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] on behalf of Farley Cross [farleycross AT sbcglobal.net] Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2013 9:42 AM How cool Sarah. What kind of feeder and what is in it? Farley Cross Sacramento CA On 5/4/13 9:19 PM, szafrica77 wrote: > > I had my first ever Black-headed Grosbeak at my feeder this morning in > West Davis. Delighted to have them! > > Sarah Mayhew > Davis, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Black-headed Grosbeak From: Sylvia Wright <swright AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 15:28:07 +0000 Thanks to Sarah's post, I topped up my black-oil sunflower seed tray feeder, and just minutes ago had my first-ever Black-headed Grosbeak! It was a female, and a nearby house finch provided a nice size comparison. Sylvia Sylvia Wright south Davis (Yolo County), Calif. _______________________________________ From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] on behalf of Farley Cross [farleycross AT sbcglobal.net] Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2013 9:42 AM How cool Sarah. What kind of feeder and what is in it? Farley Cross Sacramento CA On 5/4/13 9:19 PM, szafrica77 wrote: > > I had my first ever Black-headed Grosbeak at my feeder this morning in > West Davis. Delighted to have them! > > Sarah Mayhew > Davis, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Re: Plumbeous Vireo in south Davis From: claire gallagher <clairevgallagher AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 09 May 2013 21:00:26 -0700 Thank you Steve, for getting the word out about this bird. Just before noon, the PLUMBEOUS VIREO was in the same vicinity as described in Steve's email, with 2 CASSIN'S VIREOS associating with it. The two Cassin's Vireos were a very welcome and appreciated direct comparison, both visual and audio. The Plumbeous Vireo song was burry, similar to the Cassin's, but mellower and softer toned, gentler, with a slightly deeper pitch. It made the Cassin's sound a bit frantic and anxious, with more shrill and piercing tones-- which I wouldn't have said about Cassin's before hearing them alongside the Plumbeous. The Plumbeous sounded like a Cassin's that had taken a chill pill. All 3 vireos, plus a WARBLING VIREO, were foraging in the oaks east of the Rosario foot bridge, near a chain-link gate. Good birding! Claire Gallagher Woodland > Steve Hampton > May 9, 2013 7:20 PM > > I heard that Claire Gallagher refound the bird around noon; it was > with two > Cassin's Vireos by then! > > On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 11:40 AM, Steve Hampton > >wrote: > > > This morning there was a singing PLUMBEOUS VIREO in south Davis along > > Willowbank Ditch (old Putah Creek) just east of the Rosario foot bridge. > > Look for Rosario on a map and see where it crosses the creek at the > north > > end. Also accessed from w end of San Marino off Mace. > > > > Cassin's can be quite drab this time of year with yellow hard to > see, but > > this bird offered close looks and was all gray and white, with a gray > > half-vest and gray flanks; also no hint of green on the back. > > > > Song was 95% scratchy notes. > > > > Lots of Swainson's Thrushes here and at Grasslands Park. Best bird there > > was a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > > > Full ebird lists: > > Grasslands: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049729 > > Willowbank: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049760 > > > > good birding, > > > > -- > > Steve Hampton > > Davis, CA > > > > -- > Steve Hampton > Davis, CA > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > Steve Hampton > May 9, 2013 11:40 AM > > This morning there was a singing PLUMBEOUS VIREO in south Davis along > Willowbank Ditch (old Putah Creek) just east of the Rosario foot bridge. > Look for Rosario on a map and see where it crosses the creek at the north > end. Also accessed from w end of San Marino off Mace. > > Cassin's can be quite drab this time of year with yellow hard to see, but > this bird offered close looks and was all gray and white, with a gray > half-vest and gray flanks; also no hint of green on the back. > > Song was 95% scratchy notes. > > Lots of Swainson's Thrushes here and at Grasslands Park. Best bird there > was a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > Full ebird lists: > Grasslands: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049729 > Willowbank: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049760 > > good birding, > > -- > Steve Hampton > Davis, CA > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Merced County 05-08-13 From: kent Van Vuren <VanVurenK AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 9 May 2013 14:20:56 -0700 Yesterday, my wife Karen and, I had three female Lazuli Buntings at the intersection of Dinosaur Pt. Rd. and the wind turbines access road. On May 6th I had a Dusky Flycathcher and two Townsend's warblers here also. Also, yesterday, near the entrance Kiosk for south San Luis Reservoir and Basalt Campground we had a surprising Cassin's Kingbird. The hugh Tricolored Blackbird/Yellow- headed Blackbird flock is still at Volta Pd. on Henry Miller Rd. Kent Van Vuren Prunedale, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Plumbeous Vireo in south Davis From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 May 2013 19:20:12 -0700 I heard that Claire Gallagher refound the bird around noon; it was with two Cassin's Vireos by then! On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 11:40 AM, Steve Hampton wrote: > This morning there was a singing PLUMBEOUS VIREO in south Davis along > Willowbank Ditch (old Putah Creek) just east of the Rosario foot bridge. > Look for Rosario on a map and see where it crosses the creek at the north > end. Also accessed from w end of San Marino off Mace. > > Cassin's can be quite drab this time of year with yellow hard to see, but > this bird offered close looks and was all gray and white, with a gray > half-vest and gray flanks; also no hint of green on the back. > > Song was 95% scratchy notes. > > Lots of Swainson's Thrushes here and at Grasslands Park. Best bird there > was a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > Full ebird lists: > Grasslands: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049729 > Willowbank: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049760 > > good birding, > > -- > Steve Hampton > Davis, CA > -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Plumbeous Vireo in south Davis From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 May 2013 11:40:01 -0700 This morning there was a singing PLUMBEOUS VIREO in south Davis along Willowbank Ditch (old Putah Creek) just east of the Rosario foot bridge. Look for Rosario on a map and see where it crosses the creek at the north end. Also accessed from w end of San Marino off Mace. Cassin's can be quite drab this time of year with yellow hard to see, but this bird offered close looks and was all gray and white, with a gray half-vest and gray flanks; also no hint of green on the back. Song was 95% scratchy notes. Lots of Swainson's Thrushes here and at Grasslands Park. Best bird there was a Hammond's Flycatcher. Full ebird lists: Grasslands: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049729 Willowbank: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14049760 good birding, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Folsom Lake Birds From: Jenner Davidson <writeningbug AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 May 2013 17:16:01 -0700 (PDT) I went back out to Folsom Lake's boat launch in Granite Bay at 2:45 this afternoon intent on seeing the Forster's Terns. Similar to Scott's report below, I was delighted to find 28 Forster's Terns, 2 Marbled Godwits and 1 Least Sandpiper in the 15 minutes I was able to stay.  Photos of the Forster's Terns and Marbled Godwits are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennifer-davidson/. Thrilled by the birds as always,  Jenner Davidson Sac. Co., CA ________________________________ From: dietrichscott71 To: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 3:53 PM Subject: [CVBirds] Folsom Lake Birds   Hello, the good birding continued at lower boat ramp near Granite Bay entrance. 2 Sanderlings, 2 Marbled Godwits, 29 Forster's Terns, 5 Bonaparte's gulls all of these birds where seen around 11:30 am accompanied by Jim Lomax and Frances Oliver. Stopped by later around 2:00 pm and birds where still there a a few minutes later was joined by John Sterling. Scott Dietrich Roseville [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Folsom Lake Birds From: "dietrichscott71" <dietrichscott71 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 08 May 2013 22:53:55 -0000 Hello, the good birding continued at lower boat ramp near Granite Bay entrance. 2 Sanderlings, 2 Marbled Godwits, 29 Forster's Terns, 5 Bonaparte's gulls all of these birds where seen around 11:30 am accompanied by Jim Lomax and Frances Oliver. Stopped by later around 2:00 pm and birds where still there a a few minutes later was joined by John Sterling. Scott Dietrich Roseville ------------------------------------ Subject: junco in Davis From: "Perrone, Michael AT DWR" <Michael.Perrone_Jr@water.ca.gov> Date: Wed, 8 May 2013 15:36:10 +0000 I forgot to mention that yesterday, May , a junco was in Davis along Alhambra Drive. The species is "rare, irregular" on this date in Yolo County and was quite a surprise. Michael Perrone Department of Water Resources Division of Environmental Services 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento CA 95691 (916) 376-9788 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Another Tricolor colony in Folsom/El Dorado HIlls. From: "skywater" <pouletchalet AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 08 May 2013 06:06:27 -0000 Today I spotted a good size colony of nesting Tricolored Blackbirds in Folsom/El Dorado Hills. They are in a secluded stand of blackberry between hwy 50 and Iron point road. If you park in the Green Acres Garden center parking lot (above Costco) you can easily walk across the street into the field where they are. There are maybe 200? Tricolors using this area. There are also some redwing blackbirds in the cattails next to the colony which makes it easy to see the contrast between the birds. I have seen this colony flying across hwy 50 to forage for the last 2 years but couldn't see this area until today. I remember pretty large numbers of birds flying across hwy 50 last year. Its amazing to see them thrive in the midst of all the development going on in this area. Stefanie Stewart Wilton, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Folsom Lake Birds--Placer Co. From: Gil Ewing <gewing1 AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 7 May 2013 22:07:17 -0700 Got out there. The two Sanderlings were still present this afternoon (Tuesday May 7), in Granite Bay at the boat launch area along with 10 Bonaparte's gulls (3 in breeding plumage) and 18 Forster's terns. Photos at this link: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14033929 Gil Ewing Fair Oaks, Sacramento Co., CA On May 7, 2013, at 11:09 AM, Jenner Davidson wrote: > In response to Ron Pozzi's frequent and fabulous finds at Folsom Lake's boat launch in Granite Bay, Izabela Davin and I birded the area on Sunday and Saturday, May 4 and 5, 2013. > > We were thrilled to find one Sanderling and two Least Sandpipers on Sunday, and three Bonaparte's Gulls and one Caspian Tern, identified by the distinct black legs, dark primaries and thick bill (compared to the Forster's Tern's orange legs, lighter or white primaries in breeding plumage, and thinner bill) on Saturday. We did not see Forster's Terns as others have reported. > > Photos of all four birds identified above are posted here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennifer-davidson/. > > Happy birding, > > Jenner Davidson > Sac. Co., CA > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Probable Tricolored Blackbird colony, Hwy 16, Sacramento County From: "skywater" <pouletchalet AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 07 May 2013 16:19:21 -0000 I stopped by this site yesterday. I drive by this place almost everyday and saw them last year also. Yes, they appear to be tricolored. They are flying across the hwy from the gravel pit to a small collection of water and foraging into the field between the rendering plant and hwy 16. I saw some of them collecting water in their beak with an insect, and then flying across the hwy. I'm guessing they are feeding babies. In the gravel pit they are flying into an area where there is a thick cover of tall thistle. I can't see too far in, but there might be blackberry also. I counted for few minutes- 200+. I suspect there are hundreds. I also saw a colony last year somewhere near eagles nest and gerber in a stand of blackberry. Will keep looking for them this year. The other area that was used last year is by Excelsior and hwy 16. From what I can see it's not being used this year since a strawberry field was planted nearby. I love these birds and remember them from growing up in Marin county. Stefanie Stewart Wilton, CA --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, Dan Airola wrote: > > My apologies, a correction to the previous message. The pit where the > Tricoloreds nested in 2010, and where they were traveling from Saturday and > Sunday, is south of Hwy 16, not north. > Dan Airola > Sacramento > > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Dan Airola > To: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Mon, April 29, 2013 11:41:13 AM > Subject: [CVBirds] Probable Tricolored Blackbird colony, Hwy 16, Sacramento > County > > > On both Saturday and Sunday (4/28 and 29) I drove by a site that has been used > in in 2010 for nesting by Tricoloreds. I was not able to stop and view > carefully, but I saw groups of blackbirds acting like Tricoloreds at this site > during both passes. The site is 0.25 mi west of where Hwy 16 (Jackson Highway) > crosses the Folsom South Canal, near Sunrise Blvd. In 2010, I found a colony of > > about 500 birds nesting in milk thistle north of Hwy 16, at the NE corner of an > > excavated aggregate pit, adjacent to the canal. > > On Sat and Sunday I saw about 100-300 birds during my 60 mph pass, feeding in a > grass field immediately north of Hwy 16 and some flying from the direction of > the pit. Later in the day I saw the same flock behavior by another colony near > Angel's Camp in Calaveras County, so am pretty sure these were tricoloreds. It > would be good if someone could confirm the colony - I doubt I will get a chance > to do so. > Dan Airola > Sacramento > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: Folsom Lake Birds From: Jenner Davidson <writeningbug AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 7 May 2013 11:09:24 -0700 (PDT) In response to Ron Pozzi's frequent and fabulous finds at Folsom Lake's boat launch in Granite Bay, Izabela Davin and I birded the area on Sunday and Saturday, May 4 and 5, 2013.  We were thrilled to find one Sanderling and two Least Sandpipers on Sunday, and three Bonaparte's Gulls and one Caspian Tern, identified by the distinct black legs, dark primaries and thick bill (compared to the Forster's Tern's orange legs, lighter or white primaries in breeding plumage, and thinner bill) on Saturday. We did not see Forster's Terns as others have reported.  Photos of all four birds identified above are posted here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennifer-davidson/. Happy birding,  Jenner Davidson Sac. Co., CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------