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08 Feb Phainopeplas again! ["marekat AT att.net" ] 8 Feb Merced County Highlights 2/8/10 [Dominik Mosur ] 8 Feb San Joaquin birding 2/8 ["Denise and David Hamilton" ] 09 Feb Hooded merganser in natomas ["lcr2sac" ] 08 Feb Male Eurasian Wigeon at Sailor Bar ["davejohnson1246" ] 08 Feb Re: PNW song sparrow, Davis, 7 Feb ["Steve Hampton" ] 08 Feb PNW song sparrow, Davis, 7 Feb ["zsgavilan71" ] 8 Feb Re: Snowy-capped (leucistic) White-crowned Sparrow in Yuba co ["Doug Shaw" ] 7 Feb Placer Co. - Black-bellied Plovers & Barrow's Goldeneye [Kathryn Parker ] 7 Feb Harlan's Hawk south of Thornton continues [Bob Power ] 08 Feb Snowy-capped (leucistic) White-crowned Sparrow in Yuba co ["naturestoc" ] 7 Feb San Joaquin Audubon Program "California Condors" This Tuesday Night [Kasey Foley ] 08 Feb north Yolo County ["Steve Hampton" ] 7 Feb Putah Creek [Manfred Kusch ] 7 Feb Yolo Co Rough-legged Hawk ["Adamson, Roger" ] 7 Feb SAC County- Townsend's Warbler [Clifford Hawley ] 07 Feb Townsend's Warbler ["jxpearce" ] 07 Feb Black Merlin and hummer on eggs ["Steve Hampton" ] 07 Feb Re: Merlin in Land Park, Sacramento ["dan_airola" ] 6 Feb Re: Neck-Banded Tundra Swan Information and Reporting [Bruce Webb ] 6 Feb Re: Request for Tundra Swan locations [BRUCE DEUEL ] 07 Feb San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival ["Robin" ] 6 Feb Re: Request for Tundra Swan locations [Chuq Von Rospach ] 07 Feb Neck-Banded Tundra Swan Information and Reporting ["williamscotthuber" ] 06 Feb Request for Tundra Swan locations ["marilyn_trabert" ] 05 Feb Lark sparrow, Yellow-shafted flicker, Davis, 5 Feb ["zsgavilan71" ] 5 Feb Fw: [SBB] Plovers at Merced Refuge [] 5 Feb Fw: Re: [SBB] San Luis Refuge [] 04 Feb Re: American Tree Sparrow [] 04 Feb Cackling Goose - El Dorado Hills [Steve Abbott ] 3 Feb birding classes in Davis ["John Sterling" ] 03 Feb American Tree Sparrow ["fdupont AT sbcglobal.net" ] 2 Feb UCD Davis Winter Survey results ["Andy Engilis, Jr." ] 31 Jan Cosumnes birds this weekend [John and Glennah Trochet ] 31 Jan Waverly Rd. Mountain Bluebirds, many Moutain Bluebirds! ["naturestoc" ] 30 Jan Re Swainson hawks and Flicker [Lola Brocksen ] 30 Jan Swainson hawks and Flicker in Davis [Lola Brocksen ] 26 Jan Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival -- April 23-26, 2010 -- Registration Open ["will_w04" ] 28 Jan Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports [Matt Kennedy ] 27 Jan White-throated sparrow, UCD Arboretum, 27 Jan ["zsgavilan71" ] 26 Jan Lesser-type Canada/Cackling Geese [Chris Conard ] 26 Jan Yolo Common Loon ["Steve Hampton" ] 24 Jan Merced County birding 1/24/10 [Dominik Mosur ] 23 Jan birds in Lincoln [Dave Pearson ] 24 Jan Eurasian Wigeon near Davis Wetlands ["Steve Hampton" ] 24 Jan Merlin in Land Park, Sacramento ["leoedson AT sbcglobal.net" ] 23 Jan Yuba rice country, including Trumpeter Swans ["Brian Williams" ] 23 Jan Re: Folsom Western Screech Owl [SallyWalters DonSchmoldt ] 23 Jan Cackling Goose in Mariposa County ["unlikelybirder" ] 23 Jan Re: Folsom Western Screech Owl [Doug Herr ] 22 Jan Yolo Birds today ["Todd Easterla" ] 22 Jan Folsom Western Screech Owl ["Craig Swolgaard" ] 23 Jan Putah Creek ["Steve Hampton" ] 22 Jan Snow Goose Festival - Jan 28-31- in Chico [Bruce Webb ] 22 Jan Burrowning Owls ["Richard Cimino" ] 21 Jan Sacramento County Western Kingbird ["Craig Swolgaard" ] 19 Jan Grasslands Park Long-eared Owl ["Peter B. Armstrong" ] 19 Jan Re: Davis Tufted duck ---NO ["Steve Hampton" ] 18 Jan Red-tailed Hawk ["Helene E Cavior" ] 18 Jan Dark morph Ferruginous Hawk [Matthew Dodder ] 18 Jan 10 Eurasian Wigeons at Gray Lodge [Matthew Dodder ] 18 Jan Davis Tufted duck ---NO [Gil Ewing ] 18 Jan Hammond's Flycatcher and Long-eared Owl found again near Davis [Christine Dodson ] 17 Jan Yolo, Sonoma, & Napa Co. ["Frances Oliver" ] 17 Jan Yolo, Sonoma, & Napa Co. ["Frances Oliver" ] 17 Jan Yolo Owls etc. 1/17/09 [Dominik Mosur ] 17 Jan Long-eared Owl Yolo Co ["Adamson, Roger" ] 17 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye ["Steve Huckabone" ] 17 Jan UC Davis Arboretum [Alison Kent ] 17 Jan Blue Morph Ross's Goose [SallyWalters DonSchmoldt ] 17 Jan Link to Tufted Duck location at Clifton Court Forebay ["Tony Kurz" ] 17 Jan Merced NWF Saturday [Lisa ] 17 Jan Yolo birds ["Steve Hampton" ] 17 Jan SJ Dipper, CLV Mew Gull, SAC Lark B, 1/16/10 [Chris Conard ] 17 Jan Tufted Duck cont. at Cliffton Crt Forebay, Contra Costa Co. 1/15/10 ["Tony Kurz" ] 16 Jan Re: Long-eared Owl, south of Davis. Tufted Duck, LBGU! ["Todd Easterla" ] Subject: Phainopeplas again! From: "marekat AT att.net" <marekat@att.net> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:05:47 -0000 This morning while driving to work I spotted 3 Phainopepla's sitting on a traffic light post on the corner of Green Valley Rd. and Natoma in Folsom. I was startled because I had never seen one until about 3 weeks ago when I spotted one in my backyard and then today there were 3 a few miles away! I was told they are all around the Folsom Lake area and that seems to be true since they were right across from the lake. It was a neat sighting for me-I think they are my new favorite bird! :) Mary Sirois Orangevale Subject: Merced County Highlights 2/8/10 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 21:39:05 -0800 (PST) Birded Merced County with Peter Metropulos today. A GREATER ROADRUNNER at Romero Visitor Center got us off to a good start. Between 11 and 5:30 p.m. we birded extensively around Gun Club and north Santa Fe Grade and had the following birds of note: MEW GULL (adult)with (600+) Ring-billed and (80) Bonaparte's Gull. PACIFIC-GOLDEN PLOVER (appeared lame in R leg) seen with (200+) Black-bellied Plovers BLUE-WINGED TEAL (30) MARBLED GODWIT (5) PEREGRINE FALCON (adult female) BALD EAGLE (2 adults) TREE SWALLOW (one) YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS (~70, saw only males) GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES (7, female seen carrying twigs at Gustine Gun Club) Including a detour earlier along Billy Wright Road we also had day totals of (20, two "dark" morph) Red-tailed and(4) Red-shouldered Hawks, (31) Northern Harriers, (16)American Kestrels, (4) White-tailed Kites and (18) Loggerhead Shrikes. Good Birding, Dominik Mosur San Francisco Subject: San Joaquin birding 2/8 From: "Denise and David Hamilton" <napabirders AT att.net> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:49:19 -0800 Hi all, Starting out our drive this morning on Hwy 12 on Bouldin Island- there was a huge flock of Greater White-fronted Geese and some Tundra Swans. Of course no place to stop, so just had a quick look. Then headed to Flood and Waverly Rds. Like the report from yesterday we saw some of the same: 3 adult Bald Eagles, 2 Ferruginous Hawks, one Rough-legged Hawk, and 2 Prairie Falcons; along with numerous Red-tailed Hawks and A. Kestrels. Looked for, but did not see a single Mt. Bluebird. Next checked out Woodbridge Rd. All water is dried up except at the Crane Preserve. There was a good mix of dabbling ducks- mostly Green-wing Teal, and probably a 1000 or more Sandhill Cranes, plus some GWF Geese. There was also a few of the usual shorebirds. An adult Peregrine Falcon landed in the tree tops while we were there. We tried Staten Island next. Again most all of the water is dried up except at the very end of the road. Again, there were plenty of Sandhill Cranes, some flocks of Tundra Swans and GWF Geese, and a small flock of Common Goldeneyes, along with some more dabblers. Amazed not to see a single Canada Goose. Best birding, Denise & David Hamilton Napa Napabirders AT att.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hooded merganser in natomas From: "lcr2sac" <lcr2sac AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:16:21 -0000 A male hooded merganser (and mate?) has been hanging out in a pond along Gateway Oaks Drive within the Harbor Oaks Apartment complex. Gateway Oaks Drive is the first street west of the I-5 / Garden Highway interchange. The apartment complex and pond are on the west side of the street about quarter mile from Garden Highway. The pond can be seen from Gateway Oaks. He is in with the mallards and wood ducks. The birds seem to be there on most days. Lou Regenmorter Sacramento Subject: Male Eurasian Wigeon at Sailor Bar From: "davejohnson1246" <davedlj1246 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:48:00 -0000 Thankfully I read Subhash Chand's report to the Sacramento birding website after having returned from a winter birding trip to Texas from 1/24/10-2/6/10. He reported and photographed a male Eurasian Wigeon with Mallards at the pond at the southern end of Illinois at Sailor Bar on the American River Parkway on 2/1/10. This morning, 2/8/10 I observed the male Eurasian Wigeon accompanying a pair of Mallards at the pond and I also obtained photos before returning with my Mom, Cappy Johnson, to also see the duck. This was a first record for me of this species at Sailor Bar and also on the American River Parkway. It also is a first record of this species being reported on the American River Parkway, to my knowledge. Good birding, Dave Johnson Fair Oaks Subject: Re: PNW song sparrow, Davis, 7 Feb From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:43:33 -0800 I've seen this form occasionally in the winter, sometimes around Davis and sometimes near the foothills (e.g. Capay). Steve Hampton ________________ Resource Economist Office of Spill Prevention and Response California Dept of Fish and Game PO Box 944209 Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 ----------------------------------- (916) 323-4724 phone (916) 324-8829 fax >>> "zsgavilan71" 2/8/2010 9:35 AM >>> Yesterday morning I had an interesting Song sparrow along the slough/canal in North Davis (just west of the Hammond's flycatcher spot). I'll admit to a little ignorance of subspecies knowledge in this species, but the bird appeared to be one of the Pacific Northwest races. Head was notably gray with the brown striping very rusty. Same goes for the underside/flank streaking. I don't recall seeing birds like this around Davis, but I'll be the first to admit that I probably have just missed them. Zach Smith Davis, Ca. ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: PNW song sparrow, Davis, 7 Feb From: "zsgavilan71" <zsgavilan AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:35:40 -0000 Yesterday morning I had an interesting Song sparrow along the slough/canal in North Davis (just west of the Hammond's flycatcher spot). I'll admit to a little ignorance of subspecies knowledge in this species, but the bird appeared to be one of the Pacific Northwest races. Head was notably gray with the brown striping very rusty. Same goes for the underside/flank streaking. I don't recall seeing birds like this around Davis, but I'll be the first to admit that I probably have just missed them. Zach Smith Davis, Ca. Subject: Re: Snowy-capped (leucistic) White-crowned Sparrow in Yuba co From: "Doug Shaw" <dougshaw09 AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 01:14:56 -0800 Hi All, I zoomed the photo all the way up to 400% ( after viewing at 100, 125, 200%) and there appears to the remnants of the black median stripes below the white cap. I wonder if the white came off of a plant or something on the ground? Good Birding, Doug Shaw Santa Rosa, CA ----- Original Message ----- From: naturestoc naturestoc To: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 9:55 PM Subject: [CVBirds] Snowy-capped (leucistic) White-crowned Sparrow in Yuba co Hi All. On a Sacramento Audubon field trip today in Placer/Yuba counties, leader Richard Barbieri found a nice leucistic White-crowned Sparrow on private property in Yuba co. I have provided a link to a photo of this interesting (IMHO) bird - http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/Nature/Misc-birds/YubacoCA2010-02-07DLB9799/783569738_MCya6-L.jpg Dan Brown, Sacramento, www.naturestoc.smugmug.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Placer Co. - Black-bellied Plovers & Barrow's Goldeneye From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 22:23:45 -0800 This morning the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was present at the Halsey Forebay on Christian Valley Rd. east of Auburn. There was also an OSPREY fying above the lake. Late this afternoon there were 11 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS at the third flooded field on the north side of Catlette, west of Brewer. There was also an adult BALD EAGLE on the levee here. A bit earlier in the afternoon there were 4 BALD EAGLES, 2 adults and 2 juveniles, on Kempton Rd. in Sutter Co. Kathy Parker Los Gatos Subject: Harlan's Hawk south of Thornton continues From: Bob Power <rcpower AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 22:18:00 -0800 (PST) Hi all, Our hawkwatch team for the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory took a field trip to the central valley today. Just north of the Peltier/Hwy. 5 interchange, the Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk continues. We made a pass on Thornton Rd. heading north and had no luck, turned around and the bird was perched on a telephone poll adjacent to the road. True to form, we only just thought of looking at the bird (didn't even touch our binoculars, I swear!) and it took off to a backlit perch adjacent to Hwy. 5. Momentary scope-views were less than satisfactory, hidden behind a huge oak and looking through the branches (us, not it; and considering smearing our faces with mud at this point). And it still sussed us out and took off again to it's favorite valley oak on the east side of Thornton Rd. about 3/8 mile north of the Peltier/Thornton intersection. Much more satisfying scope views if not great looks were had by all. And then, practically schizoid, the now gregarious hawk decided to take off from the oak and fly by us with the sun at our backs. Excellent views of the white spotted dark medallion and silver tail. Thank you bird gods. Earlier that same day.... raptor highlights; Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, light adult, Ferruginous Hawk, dark adult, Merlin; just south of Flood on Escalon-Bellota Rd. Ferruginous Hawk, rufous adult, on Flood just east of Escalon-Bellota Ferruginous Hawk, juvenile, Rough-legged Hawk, adult female on Flood just west of Waverly. Golden Eagles (2 adults), on Waverly half way betw. Flood and Shelton. Bald Eagle juvenile at the Waverly Shelton intersection. Bald Eagle (1 Adult, 1 Sub-adult) and Ferruginous Hawk, adult, at Salt Spring Valley Reservoir. A few digi-scoped photos from the day can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14935921 AT N00/ Good birding, Bob Power Oakland, CA Subject: Snowy-capped (leucistic) White-crowned Sparrow in Yuba co From: "naturestoc" <Naturestoc AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:55:28 -0000 Hi All. On a Sacramento Audubon field trip today in Placer/Yuba counties, leader Richard Barbieri found a nice leucistic White-crowned Sparrow on private property in Yuba co. I have provided a link to a photo of this interesting (IMHO) bird - http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/Nature/Misc-birds/YubacoCA2010-02-07DLB9799/783569738_MCya6-L.jpg Dan Brown, Sacramento, www.naturestoc.smugmug.com Subject: San Joaquin Audubon Program "California Condors" This Tuesday Night From: Kasey Foley <kaseyfoley AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 20:17:20 -0800 (PST) Please join us for the California Condors Program presented by Linda Kincaid at the Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Avenue, in Stockton at 7:30 pm. California condors have been reintroduced into Pinnacles National Monument and along the Big Sur coastline.  Both locations hold possibilities for observing condors at close range.  Condors can be seen in early morning or at dusk in the Pinnacles High Peaks.  The Pinnacles population tends to be young, as more mature birds generally move to the coast and join the Big Sur flock. The Big Sur population contains several mated pairs, as well as the first wild-bred condor chick in Northern California.  Groups of condors glide on updrafts from the cliffs, cruising above Hwy 1 in late morning into mid-afternoon.  The best locations to see condors are from Nepenthe restaurant south to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.  “Condor romance” sometimes occurs in the rocky cliffs alongside the highway.  Big Sur is the ideal location for condors to nest, each pair choosing a hollow tree or cave in their own canyon.  Each year since 2007, several pairs have mated and produced chicks.  The flock is now over 30 birds, keeping the wildlife biologists busy tracking, observing, and placing food at the various feeding sites.   Linda Kincaid is a past condor docent.  She led numerous condor tours in both Pinnacles and along the Big Sur coastline.  Linda will share the history of the California condor, including the reasons the species nearly became extinct and landmarks in the birds’ remarkable recovery.  More important, she will share the best locations to see condors in the wild, photos, and anecdotes from tours and condor biologists.   Kasey Foley, Program Chair San Joaquin Audubon Society Stockton CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: north Yolo County From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:32:49 -0000 Today Michael Perrone and I enjoyed mostly empty roads for a Super Bowl day of birding. Highlights 1 BALD EAGLE flyover on Rd 2 1 LEWIS'S WOODPECKER on Rd 85 s of Rd 2 1 VESPER SPARROW on Rd 85 a bit further south in the hills by a line of willow trees 3 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS on Rd 85 s of Rd 15 1 LIGHT PHASE HARLAN'S HAWK-- Brian Sullivan's bird on Rd 29 just west of Rd 94-- skiddish but a remarkable bird. The white underparts are so white. also, 4 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS and 1 ROUGH-LEGGED (Rd 17 e of Rd 102). We searched arounds Rds 101/102 and 14-17 for Mtn Plover, a traditional spot, with good visibility but no success. We also looked for McCown's Longspur at the usual spot by County Line Rd and Browning, but it is VERY muddy, with only about 15 Horned Larks present. good birding, Steve Hampton Davis, CA Subject: Putah Creek From: Manfred Kusch <makusch AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 12:33:07 -0800 Due to travel abroad, a nasty cold, and similar distractions, the birds around my place have remained rather unobserved in the past 3 weeks. Resuming my walks along the creek a few days ago, I found the usual Yellow-rupmed Warblers, kinglets, woodpeckers, nuthatches, an Oak Titmouse, and a couple Hermit Thrushes who seem to have spent most of the winter here. On the creek a surprisingly large number of Common Mergansers (up to 13) have taken up the space usually occupied by the Wood Ducks around here. The ducks had, however, completely disappeared during December and most January, and have begun to show up again, typically in pairs, only during the past few days.Today I saw a hen exit one of my nest boxes, but I have not had the energy to check whether she is already nesting, which would be extremely early for this area where nesting usually does not start in earnest until March. I'll check in the nest few days. Anna's Hummingbirds, on the other hand, are pretty much on schedule down at the creek where I have discovered so far only 1 nest with the female already incubating (about 20 ft up in a cottonwood tree), but where at least 4 other females are present in their traditional territories and I am pretty sure they have at least begun their nests. I just haven't had the time yet to watch them for long enough to discover their well concealed nests. The Red-tailed Hawks continue to remodel their nest behind my house and the Great-Horned Owls seem to have settled somewhere on the west end of the eucalyptus grove behind my house. Perhaps they are or will be reusing the old Swainson's Hawk nest that they used twice before. One curious absence this winter have been the usually numerous and ubiquitous bushtits. Have others observed a similar decline? And last, I want to mention (and I hope this is ok in this forum) that, inspired by the feature article in Audubon Magazine of last April, my wife and I visited the Pico Bonito Lodge in Honduras Jan 16-24 and found it all the Audubon article had advertised and then some. We saw and photographed a large number of exquisite birds in a truly amazing environment, including Lovely Cotingas, 4 kinds of motmots, parrots, oropendolas, trogons, manakins, hummingbirds, toucans, aracaris, tanagers, orioles, many wintering eastern warblers, King vultures, hawks, and falcons, etc. etc.. If anybody would like to correspond with me about my experience there, please contact me at my personal email address. There also exists a great 45-minute video by Greg Homel: Introducing the wonderful birds of Pico Bonito that was shot last year around the lodge and the adjacent national park. James Adams, a manger at the lodge and local bird enthusiast, gave me 2 copies in exchange for a book I gave him. I would be happy to present this video at any club meeting if anybody is interested, or lend it to anybody interested. Manfred Kusch Davis/Winters makusch AT ucdavis.edu 707-678-1027 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yolo Co Rough-legged Hawk From: "Adamson, Roger" <rhadamson AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 11:50:27 -0800 After several weeks of missing the bird, the Rough-legged Hawk near Davis (Yolo Co.) has re-appeared about one mile south of the location reported in December. Yesterday I found it perched on a fence along Rd 28H about one-half mile east of Rd 102. The fence is readily visible but about 300 yds north of the road. This is the same field where the Short-eared Owls put on quite a show about 2 years ago. Roger Adamson Davis Subject: SAC County- Townsend's Warbler From: Clifford Hawley <yellowhammerCA AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 11:33:58 -0800 Hi birders, I also had a nice male Townsend's Warbler yesterday on the campus at Sac St. It was on the north side of Douglas Hall in a cypress tree. Cliff -- Clifford Hawley Sacramento, CA "For, what are the voices of birds... But words, our words, Only so much more sweet?" Robert Browning [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Townsend's Warbler From: "jxpearce" <jxpearce AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:10:28 -0000 Seems a little early, but I did have a Townsend's Warbler in the Douglas Fir in my backyard yesterday. Jim Pearce Fair Oaks Subject: Black Merlin and hummer on eggs From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:15:50 -0000 Today there was gorgeous suckleyi Merlin offering scope-filling walk-away views just west of the Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant. It was perched on one of the little oaks planted along the landfill fence. In north Davis, I found an Anna's Hummingbird on eggs on a nest. good birding, Steve Hampton Davis, CA Subject: Re: Merlin in Land Park, Sacramento From: "dan_airola" <d.airola AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:25:27 -0000 I saw a merlin being mopped by a crow in my Curtis Park (Sacramento) neighborhood on Jan 31. I never saw one in 2009, despite keeping my attention alert by maintaining a near-daily e-bird records for my yard. Curtis Park is only 1-3 miles east of Leo's Land Park neighborhood. Dan Airola Sacramento --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "leoedson AT ..." wrote: > > I was pleased to see feathers from an unidentified songbird floating down in my backyard like snowflakes this afternoon. This was first merlin that I've seen in the tall sycamores behind my house on Robertson Way in Land Park since November 27th of last year. > > Leo Edson > Sacramento > Subject: Re: Neck-Banded Tundra Swan Information and Reporting From: Bruce Webb <BruWebb AT surewest.net> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:38:35 -0800 (PST) On Dec 24, 2009, I gave the answer: Repeated again: If you see one of the ~1,400+ Alaska tundra swans that has been banded since 2006 - and if it wears a blue neck collar, below is some information to help you learn more about the program and where to send your sightings with latitude/longitude coordinates. Also, this link will reside at the CVBirds links page found here: Bruce Webb (CVBirds listowner) Granite Bay, CA 95746 ---- Original message ---- >Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:21:34 -0000 >From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com (on behalf of "williamscotthuber" ) >Subject: [CVBirds] Neck-Banded Tundra Swan Information and Reporting >To: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com > > > > On an Altacal Audubon Field Trip this morning we had > a neck-banded Tundra Swan near the intersection of > Ramirez Road and Tanabe Road in Unit 10 near > Marysville. We'd welcome information on where we > might report this bird and obtain background data. > > Bird well, > > Scott Huber > Forest Ranch, Ca. > Subject: Re: Request for Tundra Swan locations From: BRUCE DEUEL <bdeuel AT wildblue.net> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:37:00 -0800 Hi all, On Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 6:52 PM, Chuq Von Rospach wrote: > > > What's this mean? heck if I know, but it's not what I expected... > > What it means is that the combination of the end of hunting season (so the birds don't get pushed back onto the refuges during the day) and the huge amount of new habitat available because of all the rain allows the waterfowl to spread out all over the Central Valley. Happens every year, but is especially pronounced when the 2 factors combine. Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival From: "Robin" <robin_leong AT netzero.net> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:34:31 -0000 Central Valley Birders If you are planning to purchase bins, you will have an excellent chance to try them before purchase at the San Francisco Bay Flyway Festivalat Mare Island in Vallejo tomorrow before the Super Bowl. You can see the latest Swarovskis, and the more moderately priced bins at this festival. There is a good selection of out of print bird books, new bird books, field trips and bird art and ecogroup info. Checkout the activities on SFBayFlywayFestival.com Have fun tomorrow! Robin Leong Vallejo Subject: Re: Request for Tundra Swan locations From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 18:52:12 -0800 > > Also, if you've seen large groups of Snow/Ross' Geese along > the roads, I'd appreciate that info too as I understand the geese have > pretty much vacated the refuge as of today. (I realize that can > change.) > Just got back from a trip to Merced NWR, and the geese are gone there. I found a total of four sandhill cranes (and heard maybe six more), but there were zero geese on the ground. I had two fly-overs north of about 40 greater white-fronted but nothing on the ground. The Snow/Ross' are all gone. This seems to be really early -- I had significant geese there 2/15/08 and 3/5/07 (my 09 trip was in january). Many of the winter ducks were also gone -- I saw no teals at all, head only a couple of wigeons, and saw about four gadwalls. All I saw for ducks today were shovelers and pintails and mallards. It really looks like the winter birds have moved. Lots of yellow rumps and most of them are partially into breeding plumage, the marsh wrens were in full voice and on territory and the blackbirds have massed in huge numbers. What's this mean? heck if I know, but it's not what I expected... The rain moved in on me about 4PM so I didn't stick around, but it was pretty clear there wasn't going to be a fly-in this evening. The fly-overs I saw were as I arrived around 1:30PM, and I didn't see any flocks in the air after those two. I never saw any cranes in the air. -- Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com (chuqvr AT gmail.com; chuqui AT me.com; Twitter: AT chuq) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Neck-Banded Tundra Swan Information and Reporting From: "williamscotthuber" <greatscottwhatarealtor AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:21:34 -0000 On an Altacal Audubon Field Trip this morning we had a neck-banded Tundra Swan near the intersection of Ramirez Road and Tanabe Road in Unit 10 near Marysville. We'd welcome information on where we might report this bird and obtain background data. Bird well, Scott Huber Forest Ranch, Ca. Subject: Request for Tundra Swan locations From: "marilyn_trabert" <iluv2bird AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:04:22 -0000 Some friends and I will be birding the Sacto NWR on Monday, Feb 8. If you have seen Tundra Swans along the surrounding area roads recently, I'd very much appreciate your sharing the exact locations if at all possible. Also, if you've seen large groups of Snow/Ross' Geese along the roads, I'd appreciate that info too as I understand the geese have pretty much vacated the refuge as of today. (I realize that can change.) Many thanks, and the best of birding to you all. Marilyn TrabertWalnut Creek [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lark sparrow, Yellow-shafted flicker, Davis, 5 Feb From: "zsgavilan71" <zsgavilan AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:56:50 -0000 Greenbelt north of Davis Community park. North of the walking bridge where the bats roost and just south of tennis courts. I had a Lark sparrow perching with the robins and a Yellow-shafted flicker foraging on elderberries. Near where El Cajon Ave hits the greenbelt. Zach Smith Davis, Ca. Subject: Fw: [SBB] Plovers at Merced Refuge From: mdodder AT sbcglobal.net Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:39:59 -0800 (PST) The following message was originally posted to the wrong list. mcd. --- On Fri, 2/5/10, abhoopoe AT sbcglobal.net wrote: From: abhoopoe AT sbcglobal.net Subject: [SBB] Plovers at Merced Refuge To: south-bay-birds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, February 5, 2010, 8:02 AM � Thursday 2/4/2010 my husband and I went to Merced Refuge and were surprised to find a group of several score (if not hundreds) of Black Bellied Plovers. Sibley shows dots across US and Canada but we thought this number exceeded a dot. Anna Helton _ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: Re: [SBB] San Luis Refuge From: mdodder AT sbcglobal.net Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:38:38 -0800 (PST) I following message was originally posted to the wrong list. mcd.� --- On Fri, 2/5/10, packerdigital wrote: From: packerdigital Subject: [SBB] San Luis Refuge To: south-bay-birds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, February 5, 2010, 1:47 AM � I birded san luis refuge last wkend. Something like 10K snowgeese, Sandhill cranes in the 1000's (anybody have past/recent numbers?) and hundreds of Marsh Wrens, Meadow Larks, Loggerheads and Kestrels that made birding throughout the day a delight. Whitefaced Ibis, Pintails, White fronted geese and hundreds of Dowitchers - flocking every now and then - pics here: "http://www.facebook .com/album. php?aid=147378& id=, 655033559& l=fad2364891" Michael Packer Los Gatos [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: American Tree Sparrow From: maryolo1 AT netscape.net Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:52:57 -0500 If anyone refinds this possible American Tree Sparrow please try very hard to notice if there is a band on the leg, and if there is a second American Tree Sparrow with it. The ATSP banded at Yolo Bypass WA was in close association with an unbanded second individual and the "pair" stayed in a very localized area for weeks (and was re-found on the Sacramento CBC that year). A high-definition photo would be great too, but let's not get greedy! Mary Schiedt Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area -----Original Message----- From: fdupont AT sbcglobal.net To: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wed, Feb 3, 2010 11:00 am Subject: [CVBirds] American Tree Sparrow Another birder and I saw an interesting sparrow near the viewing platform at the Woodbridge road site on Saturday, January 30. After the fact, we realized it was probably an American Tree Sparrow. It was in a bush among white-crowned sparrows, but very different in attitude, with a cocked tail and a rusty, raised crown. I was about to enter my check list in ebird and realized that this is an unusual bird for this area. So no, we didn't take notes or photographs. I joined the central valley list serve today so I could post it and hope to hear if anyone else sees it. Frances Dupont, Richmond CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cackling Goose - El Dorado Hills From: Steve Abbott <papasula AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:59:51 -0800 This morning there was a CACKLING GOOSE with approximately 75 Canada Geese in the pond at the now defunct golf course north of Hwy 50 and just East of El Dorado Hills Blvd in El Dorado Hills, El Dorado County. Steve Abbott Cameron Park, ED -- Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: birding classes in Davis From: "John Sterling" <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:20:27 -0800 I'll be teaching beginning and intermediate birding classes for the Yolo Basin Foundation starting in mid-February. The classes will be in the evenings at the Explorit Science Center in Davis. For information see http://www.sterlingbirds.com/birding_classes__yolo_basin.html If you want to sign up, let me know via email so that I can plan. Please forward to anyone who may be interested! Thanks, John John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com check out my photos at http://sterlingbirds.smugmug.com www.sterlingbirds.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: American Tree Sparrow From: "fdupont AT sbcglobal.net" <fdupont@sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:00:38 -0000 Another birder and I saw an interesting sparrow near the viewing platform at the Woodbridge road site on Saturday, January 30. After the fact, we realized it was probably an American Tree Sparrow. It was in a bush among white-crowned sparrows, but very different in attitude, with a cocked tail and a rusty, raised crown. I was about to enter my check list in ebird and realized that this is an unusual bird for this area. So no, we didn't take notes or photographs. I joined the central valley list serve today so I could post it and hope to hear if anyone else sees it. Frances Dupont, Richmond CA Subject: UCD Davis Winter Survey results From: "Andy Engilis, Jr." <aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 09:57:40 -0800 All - I have finally received all of the bird data and assembled the final results from this year's UC Davis Winter Bird Count. This count surveys all of the lands on the UC Davis campus and was held on 24 January 2010, with overcast skies and rain off and on all day. We had 23 observers this year (compared to 41 last year). The teams logged 44 hours in the field (59 last year) and 51 miles (50 last year). The total number of species observed was 90 (103 in 2009) and we tallied 18,000 birds. Each team pulled out something unique in their area: Area 1, which is the west campus lands, recorded 72 species (highlights included the only Merlin, Common Moorhen, and White-throated Sparrow); Area 2, which is the central campus and arboretum recorded 53 species (highlights included the only Western Tanager and Brown-headed Cowbird); Area 3, southern campus lands, recorded 68 species (highlights included were the only Tundra Swan, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Snowy Egret, Barn Owl, Lesser Goldfinch); Area 4, the Russell Ranch, recorded 62 species (highlights included the only Wild Turkey, Acorn Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike, Common Raven, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher). Shorebirds again went with little note (Killdeer being the only species recorded) and gulls were particularly sparse as compared to last year. Insectivorous birds were tough to find (except for butter-butts); no odd warblers nor montane species. Waterfowl were in moderate numbers. My thanks to all the area leaders and participants who helped make this another success. I have included the species list below. Andrew Engilis, Jr. Curator Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 USA Phone: 530-752-0364 FAX: 530-752-4155 E-mail: aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cosumnes birds this weekend From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:23:44 -0800 Dear Birders, Yesterday at Orr Ranch there were a few things of minor notice: four hooded mergansers, 3-5 common ravens, two olden-crowned kinglets and four purple finches. Today around the Tall Forest, I found none of these. The flooded rice fields thereabouts had only fair numbers of waterfowl and low numbers of shorebirds and cranes. The birds have lots of similar habitat widely available to them just now. Of some interest was a seemingly pure yellow-shafted flicker where one was located last month, and possibly the same bird was seen not far away in October or November, but at that time I thought the red nuchal crescent was not so full as typical. Tree swallows were singing over nest boxes east of the forest. Disturbingly, a European starling did a quite credible imitation of the standard varied thrush whistled note. Fortunately, the starling was at the top of a snag and easy to see. On the vegetative front, several willows have already budded out. It was a decent mammal day. Most fun was chasing a coyote down Desmond Road. The animal maintained 32- 33 mph for almost 0.4 miles before running under the gate to the TNC Barn. There it paused to look at me as I eased by, the coyote panting with the tongue tip well out of the mouth. Best, John Trochet -- John Trochet Sacramento, California trochetj AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Waverly Rd. Mountain Bluebirds, many Moutain Bluebirds! From: "naturestoc" <Naturestoc AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:18:41 -0000 Hi all. I made the trip down to Waverly Rd. San Joaquin co. CA today and the highlight was a flock of Mountain Bluebirds numbering about 300!! I actually have a photo containing about 150 individuals! It was difficult to determine a count but based on the photo and the birds that were surrounding the photo, I estimated the 300 number. The flock was on Waverly Rd. roughly between Copperopolis and Flood Rds. Also in the area were 6 Ferruginous Hawks, 2 Bald Eagles, 1 Prairie Falcon and 1 Rough-legged Hawk. Dan Brown, Sacramento, Naturestoc.smugmug.com Subject: Re Swainson hawks and Flicker From: Lola Brocksen <msmlark AT pacbell.net> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:21:32 -0800 (PST) Sorry I forgot to note that I saw the Swainson hawks this morning. Lola Brocksen Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Swainson hawks and Flicker in Davis From: Lola Brocksen <msmlark AT pacbell.net> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:15:22 -0800 (PST) There were three swainson hawks (1 pair, 1 single) flying high over the green belt at Cabrillo/Del Oro avenues. I could not tell which morph they were, binoculars were in car. Also, there is a yellow-shafted flicker (yellow underwings and yellow underside of tail) wintering in the Del Oro ave. neighborhood. Lola Brocksen north Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival -- April 23-26, 2010 -- Registration Open From: "will_w04" <will_w04 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:44:12 -0000 The first Point Reyes Birding and Nature Festival (April 23-26, 2010) is now open for registration! Some of California's preeminent birders will be leading trips, including Rich Stallcup, Steve Howell, Keith Hansen, Jules Evens, David Wimpfheimer, and Lisa Hug. There will be walks, boat trips, classes, demonstrations, and a pelagic trip to Cordell Bank. To register online, go to www.pointreyesbirdingfestival.org and sign-up for the walks, events, lectures, and classes that you find most exciting. Some of these trips will be fully subscribed very quickly and registering early is advised. Enrollment will be limited. The Festival is sponsored by the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin in cooperation with PRBO Conservation Science, Marin Audubon Society, Madrone Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Point Reyes National Seashore and many other groups. If you have any questions about the Festival, send an email to prbnfestival at gmail.com (use AT symbol) or call the Festival Headquarters at 415-663-9312. You can help make the Festival successful by forwarding this message to your birding and other friends with an interest in nature and the outdoors -- and you can help publicize the Festival by putting a link to it on your website or Facebook page. If there are websites you think the Festival should contact to establish a link, please send an email to prbnfestival at gmail.com (use AT symbol. Also, if you find any problems with the website, please let the sponsors know at once by sending an email to prbnfestival at gmail.com (use AT symbol). Hope to see you at the Festival! Will Wilson Corte Madera Subject: Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports From: Matt Kennedy <kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:11:13 -0800 (PST) Dear fellow birding enthusiasts,     As a lifelong birder and professional aviator for over 16 years, I am conducting a nation-wide study on the level of community support for the mitigation measures used at airports to reduce the wildlife strike hazard to commercial aircraft.  Getting input from different regions of the country is necessary to gauge whether there are regional differences due to varying bird populations or possible high profile incidents involving wildlife strikes on aircraft.      Responses are submitted electronically to a database that does not identify users, so your answers will be completely confidential.  Findings will be released only as analyzed data or summaries in which no individual’s answers can be identified.  Please take a few moments to share your opinions and experiences.  I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to contribute toward this important research about community views on wildlife mitigation measures at airports.   The survey can be accessed at:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XTVS225   If you would like a summary of my findings, please send me your e-mail address at kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com.  Once the study is complete, I will e-mail the summary to you. Best Regards, Matt Kennedy Graduate student in Aeronautical Science Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White-throated sparrow, UCD Arboretum, 27 Jan From: "zsgavilan71" <zsgavilan AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:48:04 -0000 A single White-throated sparrow was at the far eastern end of the UCD Arboretum with White and Golden-crowned sparrows. Seen today at about 3pm. Same area where one was lurking last winter. Zach Smith Davis, Ca. Subject: Lesser-type Canada/Cackling Geese From: Chris Conard <conardc AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:03:51 -0800 Folks, There was recently a question on the Sacramento birds list about where to find "Lesser Canada Geese" in the Central Valley. This met me at a good time, since I've been puzzling over some Cackling Geese and Lesser-type Canada/Cackling Geese that were at the Sac Reg WTP. These two events led me back to the excellent article in *North American Birds*. It is in volume 62, no. 3. If you don't subscribe to NAB (recommended that you do) back issues are available here: http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/ though volume 62 isn't yet available online. Is anyone aware of a good publicly accessible location where there have been putative Lesser Canada Geese (*parvipes*) and/or Taverner's Cackling Geese seen recently? Thanks, Chris Conard Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yolo Common Loon From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:44:42 -0000 The COMMON LOON reported by Todd Easterla was still there today at 5pm. It was 1.2 miles down the ship canal (southwest) from the Turning Basin in West Sac. In this sincerely loon-deprived county, this marks just the second Jan record. It's also only the second one I've ever seen in the county. I did not see the Horned Grebe. Steve Hampton Davis, CA Subject: Merced County birding 1/24/10 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:10:55 -0800 (PST) Today I birded various spots in Merced County with Francis Toldi and Peter Metropulos. We recorded a total of 104 species with the following notable sightings: off Gun Club Road, just east of the interesction with Santa Fe Grade there was a male EURASIAN TEAL (bold horizontal bar above flanks, green on face sharply delineated by white lines above and below, also appeared more crisply patterned on flanks), high counts of (44) BLUE-WINGED TEAL and (105) MARBLED GODWITS, (2) LESSER YELLOWLEGS, (2) RING-NECKED DUCKS and (7) AMERICAN AVOCETS. There was also a PEREGRINE FALCON in the area and at least (45) GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES at the Gustine Gun Club. At Merced NWR we had a CACKLING GOOSE (minima ssp), (2) DARK MORPH SNOW GEESE, the continuing WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (white-stripe morph, probably wintering for 2nd year), an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, HOUSE WREN and (7) GREAT HORNED OWLS including one pair that was amicably sharing a cottonwood with a pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS perched about a dozen feet above them. At the Medeiros Unit of O'Neill Forebay Peter picked out an apparent leucistic RUDDY DUCK, an off-white/cream colored bird with some buff/light brown highlights, pair of REDHEADS (m,f) and another half dozen RING-NECKED DUCKS among the thousands of scaup. No sign of the rarer ducks reported there in the past couple of months. At San Luis Creek Campground we had a SPOTTED TOWHEE and BEWICK'S WREN. We also had single CATTLE EGRETS on Gurr Road and Sandy Mush Road but no success in refinding the previously reported Mountain Plovers along Sandy Mush or any of the plowed fields in the area. Good birding, Dominik Mosur San Francisco Subject: birds in Lincoln From: Dave Pearson <firesparkbird AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:00:28 -0800 (PST) White-Throated Swifts over Sun City Lincoln Hills at 3:56 p.m. today 1-23-'10. Area above Anglers Cove, off of Ingram. Dave pearson, Lincoln Ca. Placer Co. Subject: Eurasian Wigeon near Davis Wetlands From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:49:51 -0000 Today there was a male EURASIAN WIGEON, as well as thousands of waterfowl, along the entrance road to the Davis Wetlands. It was in the 10th check down after the road dips down to the rice checks. The Snow Geese flocks were lit up by the sun in front of the brightest rainbow I've ever seen. I picked out four Blue Phase Snows in the mix. At Davis Wetlands (which is open Monday to the public), the large group of divers remains in Storm Pond. I still couldn't find the Tufted, but there are now impressive numbers of Ring-necked Ducks. good birding, Steve Hampton Davis, CA Subject: Merlin in Land Park, Sacramento From: "leoedson AT sbcglobal.net" <leoedson@sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:50:49 -0000 I was pleased to see feathers from an unidentified songbird floating down in my backyard like snowflakes this afternoon. This was first merlin that I've seen in the tall sycamores behind my house on Robertson Way in Land Park since November 27th of last year. Leo Edson Sacramento Subject: Yuba rice country, including Trumpeter Swans From: "Brian Williams" <BWCAL AT SPRYNET.COM> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:31:11 -0800 I took my 9 year old out birding today for a few hours close to home. He began the day having identified only 2 or 3 ducks in his life, but ended with a 10 duck day. Some highlights: Eurasian Wigeon - 1 male sleeping among mixed ducks in a ponded vernal pool complex on the south side of Fruitland Road about 0.5 mi east of Ramirez Rd. Cattle Egret - We counted 70 on West Hallwood Rd. This has been a regular area for years, but I think 70 is my maximum count. Tricolored Blackbird - mixed in with blackbird flocks in the grasslands on Fruitland Rd north of Iowa City Rd. My son was also able to get a close look at a male at the Mathews rice piles (south end of Mathews Lane at Woodruff), mixed in with 200+ Brown-headed Cowbirds and lesser numbers of other blackbirds. Black-crowned Night Heron - regular roost on Jack Slough east of Mathews; a Great-horned Owl was also roosting close to the road. TRUMPETER SWAN - At least 3, possibly up to 7, on Road 276 just west of Loma Rica Road. This was going to be the last stop of the day (in hopes of getting duck sp. #10 for my son) when I saw a flock of swans in good light and within about 200 m of the road. I immediately noticed an uncommonly gray immature swan with a thick neck. I set up the scope and saw a sharp "V" on the forehead of the immature and then found two adults with very straight culmens (and seemingly more massive bills than the Tundras) and no light marks on the bill. By this time the flock was getting nervous and started to take off (before I could look at all of the swans). In the meantime, I had told my son what to look for and I heard him counting., "There's 7, dad". I didn't comment, as surely 1) he could not be picking out such a difficult bird so readily (and with binoculars!) and 2) 7 seemed quite implausible. As the birds flew off, I heard my first Trumpeter Swan make its distinctive call, much deeper and more resonant than the calling Tundras, but not as loud as I expected based on recordings I have listened to over the years. Anyway, I could see 2 Trumpeters together in flight, then, near the tail of the flock, what appeared to be 5 more = 7?!! I don't know if there were 7 for sure, but I can vouch for 3 (2 adults and 1 immature). I studied the remaining Tundra Swans and they all had concave bills and at least a tiny pale spot at the base of the bill (some pale spots may not have been visible in poor light or at greater distance). I found the thickness of the bill at the eye to be less useful than the bill shape, as some (actually, quite a few) Tundra Swans have a thick extension of black that is as wide as the eye diameter. The Trumpeter Swans flew southeast and landed out of sight on Saddleback Ranch east of Loma Rica Road. For the ~4 seconds I had the immature Trumpeter in the scope, the bird looked toward me with head pointed down and it was a sharp "V" shape. I know this may not be a definitive mark by itself on young birds (based on my recollection of researching swan ID many years ago), but it happened to be on a swan with unusually gray upper parts and thick neck. Oh, one remaining Tundra Swan had a blue neck collar "K279", K at bottom. Thanks, Brian Brian Williams Wildlife & Conservation Ecologist Williams Wildland Consulting, Inc. Marysville, CA 95901 530-742-4248; bwcal AT sprynet.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Folsom Western Screech Owl From: SallyWalters DonSchmoldt <bajaowl AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:28:58 -0800 Hi Craig- I would say they are common around Folsom SRA. We also hear them in urban/suburban River Park in Sacramento where we live. Last year we saw a recently fledged chick in a front yard. It's fate however we do not know as there are many domestic friendly cats in the hood. Yes, I agree very cool! Sally Walters, Sacramento CA On Jan 22, 2010, at 9:18 PM, Doug Herr wrote: > They've been nesting in my Orangevale back yard for several years. I > hear them regularly. > > Doug Herr > http://www.wildlightphoto.com > > -----Original Message----- > >From: Craig Swolgaard > >Sent: Jan 22, 2010 10:14 PM > >To: Central Valley Listserv > >Subject: [CVBirds] Folsom Western Screech Owl > > > >Hi Birders- > > > >While taking a walk around the block at ~6:45 PM my wife Judie > heard an owl. We got near to the residential tree it was coming from > (a big redwood) and we heard it better- a western screech owl. The > last screech owl we heard was last November in Puerto Rico (an > endemic species). Last weekend I found a small owl pellet in our own > yard under our cedar and presumed it might be screech owl. This is > the first screech owl I've detected in Folsom. Very cool. > > > >Craig Swolgaard > >Folsom, CA > > > > > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/central_valley_birds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/central_valley_birds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: central_valley_birds-digest AT yahoogroups.com central_valley_birds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: central_valley_birds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Cackling Goose in Mariposa County From: "unlikelybirder" <mtnfolks AT yosemite.net> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:34:18 -0000 Yesterday, Friday, December 22, 2010, Len McKenzie, Paul Oldale and I found a Cackling Goose that was with three Canada Geese in Mariposa County. It was found in the last, large, ponded area of Bear Creek on the East side Waltz Road just below Bear Reservoir. To get there, take Highway 140 east out of Merced to Cunningham Road. Turn left onto Cunningham Road and drive to bear Creek Road (which is where Cunningham Road ends). Turn right onto bear Creek Road and drive to its end. Turn left at the gate and drive about a mile on Waltz Road. It's about a mile to the last pond. The road through this area is a public road, however, the easement varies. In some places it ends in the middle of the drainage area on the side of the road. Please respect the rancher's private property and do not drive or walk more than two or three feet from the edge of the road. Lowell Young Mariposa, CA 209-966-2547 Subject: Re: Folsom Western Screech Owl From: Doug Herr <wildlightphoto AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:18:22 -0500 (EST) They've been nesting in my Orangevale back yard for several years. I hear them regularly. Doug Herr http://www.wildlightphoto.com -----Original Message----- >From: Craig Swolgaard >Sent: Jan 22, 2010 10:14 PM >To: Central Valley Listserv >Subject: [CVBirds] Folsom Western Screech Owl > >Hi Birders- > >While taking a walk around the block at ~6:45 PM my wife Judie heard an owl. We got near to the residential tree it was coming from (a big redwood) and we heard it better- a western screech owl. The last screech owl we heard was last November in Puerto Rico (an endemic species). Last weekend I found a small owl pellet in our own yard under our cedar and presumed it might be screech owl. This is the first screech owl I've detected in Folsom. Very cool. > >Craig Swolgaard >Folsom, CA > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Yolo Birds today From: "Todd Easterla" <teasterla AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:31:43 -0800 Today while birding with Kevin Guse in Yolo County we had a few good birds for our "Yolo County Big Year". We started out this AM at the Port of Sacramento at the deep water ship channel area. There was a Common Loon and Horned Grebe here. Our next stop was Putah Creek/Lake Solano to Monticello Dam area. Here we had such species as Hairy Woodpecker, Pigmy Owl, Barrow's Goldeney, Brown Creepers (6-7!), Perigrine Falcon, Am. Dipper, Rock Wren, Rufous Crowned Sparrow and others. Next stop was the Dunnigan Hills. Here we ran into one of the locals "MATT" this changed Kevins and my whole perspective on life! Can't explain at the moment, sorry. We also ran into a Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon here. We then headed to County Line Road that borders Colusa County. Near the intersections of County Line Road and Browning Road we found a McCown's Longspur close to the road, in Yolo County. We also had a flock of 25 Mountain Plovers in the very short, stubbly alfalfa fields as well as a (richardsonii) Merlin. Other good birds for the day were Golden Crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrow, White-throated Swift, Hutton's Vireo and Short-eared owls for our B-Y. Todd Easterla [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Folsom Western Screech Owl From: "Craig Swolgaard" <cswol AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:14:30 -0800 Hi Birders- While taking a walk around the block at ~6:45 PM my wife Judie heard an owl. We got near to the residential tree it was coming from (a big redwood) and we heard it better- a western screech owl. The last screech owl we heard was last November in Puerto Rico (an endemic species). Last weekend I found a small owl pellet in our own yard under our cedar and presumed it might be screech owl. This is the first screech owl I've detected in Folsom. Very cool. Craig Swolgaard Folsom, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Putah Creek From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:34:47 -0000 This afternoon I walked from Bray Cyn (near milepost 0.69) to the Hwy 128 Bridge over Putah Creek. Highlights included 1 Hairy Woodpecker near Bray Cyn 5 Rufous-cr Sparrows on the steep hillside 2 Am Dippers under the bridge 2 Barrow's Goldeneyes above the bridge and there was also 1 Hutton's Vireo near MP 4.02. good birding, Steve Hampton Davis, CA Subject: Snow Goose Festival - Jan 28-31- in Chico From: Bruce Webb <BruWebb AT surewest.net> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:09:51 -0800 Butte County is an exciting Central Valley birding destination in winter, and the timing is perfect. Next weekend is the 11th Annual Snow Goose Festival in Chico. http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/index.html The organizers have lined up excellent leaders for over 50 field trips, plus many workshops are in store. In the exhibit area at the Masonic Family Center, you will have an opportunity to compare some of the premium optics available from Kowa, Leica, Nikon, Swarovski and Zeiss. It is a perfect opportunity to check out excellent brands of binoculars and spotting scopes, including the new for 2010 Swarovski's Swarovision 42 EL binoculars. Come take a look. As in the past, the exhibit and workshop area, and the launching point for most field trips, is at the Masonic Family Center 1110 W. East Avenue in Chico with lots of free parking. Check the Snow Goose web page for more complete festival details, registration and a maps link. The works of Pacific Flyway artists called the Uptown-Downtown Pacific Flyway Art Exhibit are on display in downtown Chico. On Saturday night the keynote speaker is woodpecker expert Steve Shunk following the banquet and silent auction. Chico and environs is a great place to see some great birds, meet friends and have fun. See you there. -- Bruce Webb Granite Bay, CA 95746 Subject: Burrowning Owls From: "Richard Cimino" <rscimino AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:10:12 -0800 California Burrowing Owl Consortium Meeting Sponsored by the Alameda Creak Alliance and Ohlone Audubon Society of Alameda County DATE: February 6, 2010 TIME: 9AM Doors, 10AM � 2:30PM Speaker Presentations SPEAKERS & TOPICS: 10AM - Dee Vieira � City of Antioch Prewett Family Water Park Burrowing Owl Habitat 10:30 AM - David Cook � SCVAS: Dicing ordinance monitoring and enforcement, Mt View advocacy Shani Kleinhaus �SCVAS � Burrowing Owl advocacy: Shoreline at Mountain View 11 AM - Troy Rahmig � Habitat Conservation Planning Meeting Future Habitat Needs 11:30 AM- Douglas A. Bell, Ph.D ��K. Shawn Smallwood, Lee Neher and Douglas A. Bell, Map-based repowering and reorganization of a wind farm to minimize burrowing owl fatalities.� Noon Lunch break 1 PM - William Boarman Ph.D � Updating California Conservation Strategy for Burrowing Owls 1:30 PM � Jack Barclay and Sandra Menzel �Owl status at Camp Parks, Dublin and Polygynous Nesting in 2009 2:00 PM � Bob Wilkerson � Results from the 2006-2007 California Breeding Burrowing Owl Survey 2:30 PM � Jeff Miller � Center for Biological Diversity � Petitioning for State Listing of Burrowing Owl 2:45 � Scott Artis � City of Antioch: Development Plans and Owl Evictions 3:00 � Program ends, please remain to network with the speakers and other advocate�s COST: $30 walk in, $25 in advance. To register in advance mail a check to: Alameda Creek Alliance c/o Rich Cimino 1281 Ridgewood Rd. Pleasanton, Cal. 94566. Fee includes coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served from 9AM to 10AM and a buffet lunch. No refunds after Jan 29th. LOCATION: Martinelli Event Center, 3585 Greenville Rd., Livermore, CA 94550 DIRECTIONS: Conveniently located off of HWY 580 East. Exit North Greenville Rd. Make a left off the exit. Turn right onto Greenville and go up about 2.5 miles. Center is on the right just after you pass the winery�s laboratory. Wrought iron gates and large palm trees mark the entrance. Richard Cimino rscimino AT earthlink.net Birding is fun and educational + it gets us out and away from the TV remote! ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/central_valley_birds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/central_valley_birds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: central_valley_birds-digest AT yahoogroups.com central_valley_birds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: central_valley_birds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Sacramento County Western Kingbird From: "Craig Swolgaard" <cswol AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:40:55 -0800 Birders- While conducting winter surveys at Prairie City SVRA (OHV park south of Folsom) this morning we saw two western kingbirds in an area that is off limits to the public. They were vocal and chasing each other through the cottonwoods like it was April- very weird to see on a cold, overcast January day. Though they were over 100 yards away, I was able to get enough color detail, along with their black squared-off tail with white outer retrices. Their distinctive vocalization was uttered a couple times as well as the erratic flight while chasing. After the point count we tried to relocate them, but couldn't find them again. On the way back from the park I saw the ferruginous hawk off Prairie City Rd. again. Craig Swolgaard Folsom, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Grasslands Park Long-eared Owl From: "Peter B. Armstrong" <PBARMSTRONG AT UCDAVIS.EDU> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:58:45 -0800 January 18, 2010 Hi All, The Long-eared Owl was present at the Grasslands Park south of Davis, CA this afternoon at 2:30. It has been my experience that even with the knowledge of where a Long-eared Owl is, it can be difficult to actually find the bird. No exception this time. Even armed with the explicit directions provided in previous postings on CV Birds, it took a team effort two other birders and me to find this particular owl. Firstly, I required help from the first of the triumphal trio to find "archery target 7". (After parking in the parking lot, walk west back towards the park entrance, then walk south before reaching Mace Blvd and keep count of the different archery target ranges until you reach the 7th target range. The number "7" is there on a metal structure that looks something like a clothes pole.) There were others in the park who had been unable to find the bird in an hour of searching, but I was the smart one who had brought along a print-out of the previous messages from CV Birds, and I found the "whitewash" identified in Dominik Mosur's posting, this on a lower horizontal limb of the dark-barked eucalyptus tree mentioned in Steve Hampton's posting. But it took the third member of the trio to look directly up above the whitewash, as Dominik Mosur had also instructed, from just the right vantage point to actually find the bird. The eucalyptus tree is leafy enough that the owl is hidden from view from all viewing points except when the observer stands near to the trunk and looks directly above the whitewash (you are looking up and south). A really nice bird to inaugurate my California Birds List for the 'teenies" (2010 - 1019). Peter. Peter B. Armstrong Molecular and Cellular Biology University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 Office: 530-752-1565 Laboratory: 530-752-6955 [pbarmstrong AT ucdavis.edu] Subject: Re: Davis Tufted duck ---NO From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:06:26 -0000 I was also able to visit the Wetlands later, in better conditions, and likewise carefully went thru the scaup, coming up also with 3 Greater Scaup (2 males and 1 female) and zero Tufted Ducks. Steve Hampton Davis, CA --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, Gil Ewing wrote: > > Despite the bad weather this morning, the light and viewing > conditions at the Davis Wetlands were good for scoping. Stormwater > pond had a tight, huge flock of several hundred scaup and Ring-necked > ducks. > I searched through this flock one-by-one almost 3 full times before > another birder getting out of her car had her umbrella catch the wind > which seemed to spook the entire flock over to the Wastewater pond, > where the birds were farther away and facing the observer and > therefore much harder to study. > No male Tufted duck was seen. > Another hundred or so scaup were outside the restricted area at the > Davis Sewer Ponds, but no Tufted duck was found there today either. > There were at least 3 male Greater scaup in the Wetlands and at least > another 2 in the Sewer Ponds. > The Aythya females were not amenable to study, but the males in this > flock were outnumbering the females at least 2 to 1. > > The Davis Wetlands are open to the hoi polloi on Mondays only, during > the hunting season. > > Gil Ewing > Fair Oaks, Sacramento Co., CA > Subject: Red-tailed Hawk From: "Helene E Cavior" <hecavior AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:31:42 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time) Found the previously seen partial leucistic red-tailed hawk on Howard off Tracy Blvd between Highway 4 and I205 at about 4 PM today. Saw 5 Feruginous hawks, 1 Rough-legged hawk, 1 Merlin & 1 Loggerhead Shrike at Flood & Waverly earlier this afternoon. Helene [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Dark morph Ferruginous Hawk From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:33:12 -0800 All, At end of day on Sunday, after the weekend in Gray Lodge and Sacramento NWR, my Palo Alto Adult School birding class visited Flannery and Robinson. We had two exceptional encounters with FERRUGINOUS HAWK. The first individual we encountered on Robinson Road was a richly colored dark-morph, the second was a more familiar light-morph near the eucalyptus grove. Also seen on this route was an immature GOLDEN EAGLE perched on a power tower near the intersection with Flannery. A small group of HORNED LARKS was located near the intersection with Flannery as well. . . . Matthew Dodder Mountain View, CA http://www.birdguy.net http://www.zazzle.com/mdodder [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 10 Eurasian Wigeons at Gray Lodge From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:32:30 -0800 All, My Palo Alto Adult School birding class spent the weekend in the north valley, visiting Gray Lodge, Colusa and Sacramento NWRs. One challenge we made to ourselves was to see if we could exceed our previous high-count of 8 Eurasian Wigeons. Indeed we did! We found 10 drake EURASIAN WIGEONS on Saturday, and even felt confident about a identifying an additional female EURASIAN WIGEON that was associating with one of the drakes. We noticed the lack of contrast between her face and breast, plain face with little darkening around the eye, no dark line at the base of the bill and a generally warm tones. We were not able to view the greater coverts well enough to speak of how much white (or lack thereof) there was, but everything else added up. Three AMERICAN BITTERNS were seen on the platform walk at Gray Lodge, and the drive in through the fog produced hundreds and hundreds of White-faced Ibis Tundra Swans, thousands of Greater White-fronted, Snow and Ross's Geese, but it wasn't until we reached Colusa that we found any Cackling Geese. . . . Matthew Dodder Mountain View, CA http://www.birdguy.net http://www.zazzle.com/mdodder [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Davis Tufted duck ---NO From: Gil Ewing <gewing1 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:54:45 -0800 Despite the bad weather this morning, the light and viewing conditions at the Davis Wetlands were good for scoping. Stormwater pond had a tight, huge flock of several hundred scaup and Ring-necked ducks. I searched through this flock one-by-one almost 3 full times before another birder getting out of her car had her umbrella catch the wind which seemed to spook the entire flock over to the Wastewater pond, where the birds were farther away and facing the observer and therefore much harder to study. No male Tufted duck was seen. Another hundred or so scaup were outside the restricted area at the Davis Sewer Ponds, but no Tufted duck was found there today either. There were at least 3 male Greater scaup in the Wetlands and at least another 2 in the Sewer Ponds. The Aythya females were not amenable to study, but the males in this flock were outnumbering the females at least 2 to 1. The Davis Wetlands are open to the hoi polloi on Mondays only, during the hunting season. Gil Ewing Fair Oaks, Sacramento Co., CA Subject: Hammond's Flycatcher and Long-eared Owl found again near Davis From: Christine Dodson <D3birds AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:27:25 -0800 (PST) I found the Hammond's Flycatcher in the same location in North Davis (see Jan. 2 post)on Sat. the 16th�around 12 noon.� If you've never gotten a good look at a Hammond's Flycatcher, this bird�is offering id. clinics; if he isn't in the redwoods, you'll see it really close.� I also found the Long-eared Owl this morning, the 18th,�around 11 am�at Grasslands Park just south of Davis in the same tree as reported by others.� Thanks to Steve Hampton�for mentioning it is a dark-barked eucalyptus (larger, more densely foliated of the two next to the #7 archery target).� Probably because of the wind and rain (nuts to be out birding today!), the owl was tucked well into the foliage on a branch to the left of the main trunk (looking from the target) about two-thirds up the tree.� It took me thirty minutes to find the�bird--that's 30 min of looking at the same tree from all angles, and even then�I could only see the back of the bird.� Fortunately, a sharp whistle or two got it to turn its head around to show off its orange cheeks and long ear tufts. Chris Dunford, Davis [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yolo, Sonoma, & Napa Co. From: "Frances Oliver" <hummer52 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:37:31 -0800 Today Jim Rowoth, Liz West & I birded a variety of places. Starting off in Yolo about 8 am we refound the LONG-EARED OWL at the Grasslands park on Mace Rd (at Tremont Rd.) It was near archery "lane" #7 as previously described. It was perched in a Eucalyptus about 2/3 of the way up on the south side of the tree. Then we were off to Sonoma were we stopped off first at Port Sonoma (accessed off Hwy 37). Checking along the river & around the boat slips we found a variety of birds including BUFFLEHEADS, both GREATER & LESSER SCAUP, and a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. At Ellis Creek (Water Recycling Facility) in Petaluma, around 1130am, we refound the continuing juv. TUNDRA SWAN (Pond A), EURASIAN WIGEON (Pond D), and the SWAMP SPARROW in the wet grassy area by the 2 large eucalyptus trees. To find this spot, as you look south from the parking lot you will see the two large eucalyptus trees amidst the treatment ponds. Adjacent to the trees and just north of them is a low area which currently has a large puddle of water with low (largely dead) vegetation. The Swamp Sparrow was hanging out along the part of the puddle closest to the walking trail. This area is best viewed from the Pond B levee (it is the highest point west of the trees). There was a number of Song Sparrows with the Swamp Sparrow, but the Swamp active more furtive and would often dive into the vegetation, but periodically would gave us some great views. On our way home we stopped off at Milton Rd. (Napa Co.) to look for the reported Clay-colored Sparrow. Parking across from the blackberry bramble (which is next to the fence of the boat yard) we checked the fence line and fields for sparrows. Within about 15 minutes we saw the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW fly across the road with a huge flock of WC Sparrows and begin to forage alongside the road in front of the car. What a great day of birding! Frances Lodi, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yolo, Sonoma, & Napa Co. From: "Frances Oliver" <hummer52 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:37:31 -0800 Today Jim Rowoth, Liz West & I birded a variety of places. Starting off in Yolo about 8 am we refound the LONG-EARED OWL at the Grasslands park on Mace Rd (at Tremont Rd.) It was near archery "lane" #7 as previously described. It was perched in a Eucalyptus about 2/3 of the way up on the south side of the tree. Then we were off to Sonoma were we stopped off first at Port Sonoma (accessed off Hwy 37). Checking along the river & around the boat slips we found a variety of birds including BUFFLEHEADS, both GREATER & LESSER SCAUP, and a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. At Ellis Creek (Water Recycling Facility) in Petaluma, around 1130am, we refound the continuing juv. TUNDRA SWAN (Pond A), EURASIAN WIGEON (Pond D), and the SWAMP SPARROW in the wet grassy area by the 2 large eucalyptus trees. To find this spot, as you look south from the parking lot you will see the two large eucalyptus trees amidst the treatment ponds. Adjacent to the trees and just north of them is a low area which currently has a large puddle of water with low (largely dead) vegetation. The Swamp Sparrow was hanging out along the part of the puddle closest to the walking trail. This area is best viewed from the Pond B levee (it is the highest point west of the trees). There was a number of Song Sparrows with the Swamp Sparrow, but the Swamp active more furtive and would often dive into the vegetation, but periodically would gave us some great views. On our way home we stopped off at Milton Rd. (Napa Co.) to look for the reported Clay-colored Sparrow. Parking across from the blackberry bramble (which is next to the fence of the boat yard) we checked the fence line and fields for sparrows. Within about 15 minutes we saw the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW fly across the road with a huge flock of WC Sparrows and begin to forage alongside the road in front of the car. What a great day of birding! Frances Lodi, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yolo Owls etc. 1/17/09 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:29:18 -0800 (PST) Around 3 p.m. I refound the previously reported LONG-EARED OWL at Grasslands park off Mace Rd and Tremont Rd. just east of the Yolo/Solano county line. It was exactly as described by Steve Hampton's post from this morning, near archery "lane"(?) #7 in a eucalyptus tree. Once I found the whitewash it was just a matter of looking up. At dusk I was at the junction of county roads 104 and 27 enjoying the spectacle of hundreds of fly-over SNOW GEESE, dozens of TUNDRA SWANS and thousands of NORTHERN PINTAILS. Working my way back south along road 104 I saw a pair of GREAT-HORNED OWLS on a utility pole. I then parked on the side of 104 near the bee hives about halfway between 27 and 28H. Here, at about 5:50 p.m. I heard a SHORT-EARED OWL but never got a look. Good birding, Dominik Mosur San Francisco Subject: Long-eared Owl Yolo Co From: "Adamson, Roger" <rhadamson AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:17:29 -0800 I have added three images of the Long-eared Owl found Jan 16 by Zach Smith at Grasslands Park in Yolo Co, CA (near Davis), to my Picasa site in the most recent folder (http://picasaweb.google.com/rha632). The day was foggy and overcast, so the images are noisy/heavily processed. The bird was about 30 ft up in the gum tree and only gave us good looks from a couple of restricted angles. Great bird, Zach! I think the last one seen by several people in Yolo was about 12 years ago on the Sacramento CBC. I am sure they are here, but rarely seen/reported. Roger Adamson Davis, CA Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye From: "Steve Huckabone" <shuckabone AT sprintmail.com> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:11:53 -0800 In addition to the previously reported Barrows Goldeneye location at Clifton Forebay. Today I found two male Barrows Goldeneye at the entrance to the canal at the corner of Herdlyn Rd and Lindeman Rd looking east from the bridge. This location is where several county lines come together so I'm not certain of the county the birds are actually in. Good birding. Steve Huckabone Alameda County Livermore California USA Subject: UC Davis Arboretum From: Alison Kent <alkent AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:22:04 -0800 A walk in to the Arboretum yielded a lot of bird activity, perhaps prompted by the dramatic drop in barometric pressure. Two orange-crowned warblers were flanked by hundreds of yellowrumps and two drake common mergansers on Lake Spafford were spiffy. What stole the show was two river otters, fishing and gamboling in the area west of the law school to the California Street bridge (but mostly between the arched footbridge and California Street). I know they've been reported in the Arboretum but I wasn't aware of their continued presence. Alison Kent Davis Subject: Blue Morph Ross's Goose From: SallyWalters DonSchmoldt <bajaowl AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:40:21 -0800 Sorry for the late posting, but yesterday, Jan. 16th, Sally and I got really great looks at an adult blue morph Ross's goose at Sacramento Nat. Wildlife Refuge. The bird was located about 100 meters north of Road 68 and a couple of hundred meters west of Norman Road (the "dog- leg" in the road), in Glenn County. There was a an ad. blue morph snow goose in the same view, and white morph snows and Ross's geese surrounding these two blue morphs, providing really great comparisons. There were three other adult blue morph snow geese along the northern east-west section of the auto tour loop that were near the road and provided great views. In addition we saw at least five bald eagles, 3 ad. and 2 subad., and 2-3 peregrine falcons. Cheers and Good birding, Don Schmoldt and Sally Walters, Sacramento. Subject: Link to Tufted Duck location at Clifton Court Forebay From: "Tony Kurz" <tonyk_71220 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:05:22 -0000 I marked the Tufted Duck with a GREEN point and also the route from the highway. I also included the Barrow's Goldeneye location with a PURPLE point. Copy and paste link below to open. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&source=hp&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=104922914109951723528.00047d63054f4467ac51f&z=15 Tony Kurz Arcata Humboldt County Subject: Merced NWF Saturday From: Lisa <lisa AT letsgobirding.com> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:16:50 -0800 (PST) Led a group of birders to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge yesterday. We were there to see all the wintering waterfowl, cranes�and passerines. � Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area our first stop was at the Romero Overlook off Pacheco Pass where we started our day with a ROADRUNNER�hunting along the parking lot�in the thick fog. � Once at the refuge I wanted to share a few observations. � From the first observation platform looking out into the fields to what I believe was the south/east we could see what appeared to be 200 - 300 BLACK BELLIED PLOVERS in the faaaaaar distance. As we ended the auto tour we were then close enough to make the positive ID. They were quite active. � As we worked the auto tour, an adult �BALD EAGLE flushing thousands of Snow/Ross's Geese was a fantastic sight.� � From the second viewing platform we found one male BLUE WINGED TEAL amongst the ducks in the pond before us. � RED-TAIL HAWKS, NORTHERN HARRIERS, COOPER'S HAWK, WHITE TAILED KITES were all along the tour. � American Pipits, Horned Larks, Fox Sparrow, American Goldfinch, cranes, snipe.....they were all there. � Started the day with a Roadrunner and ended with�Ross's Geese - Don't ya just love California birding! � Sincerely, Lisa Myers Campbell, CA. � � I invite you to come on out & spend time in nature! www.LetsGoBirding.com 408-656-7524 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yolo birds From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:14:47 -0000 This morning I refound the LONG-EARED OWL at Grasslands Park. The bird was in the dark-barked eucalyptus about 20 feet west of the Archery 7 target (SW part of the park). The bird was 2/3 up on the south side of the tree. A few years ago, there was a Long-eared Owl at the Tremont Church cemetery, just west of here (in Solano Co.). I also looked for the Tufted Duck at Davis Wetlands, but did not find it after 45 minutes of searching. However, I believe it's still there-- it just requires a lot of time to sift thru all the ducks. There are also scaup and Ring-necked Ducks in Storm Pond. I did pick out 3 GREATER SCAUP. This is the 4th county record for that species (others are listed here http://www.tertial.us/yolobirds/yolorare.htm) The Davis Wetlands will be open to the public Monday, 7am to 1pm. Allow time to look thru all the birds. I see that Chris Dunford refound his Hammond's Flycatcher in Davis yesterday, posted on eBird. good birding, Steve Hampton Davis, CA Subject: SJ Dipper, CLV Mew Gull, SAC Lark B, 1/16/10 From: Chris Conard <conardc AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:27:14 -0800 Folks, Today (Saturday, 1/16/10), Kimya Lambert, Dan Tankersley and I scouted potential new Sac Audubon field trip areas as an excuse to get out in the field. [This message didn't post last night, perhaps because it included a web link. This is the second try.] An AMERICAN DIPPER continued at the Mokelumne Hatchery below the Lake Camanche dam at the same site reported since last October. We walked a circuit from the upper parking lot (starting point for dipper search, turn right after the left into the main day use area), upstream through the hatchery area, and down the main road to the lower lot and back to the car. Also of note was a White-throated Sparrow. It was found when walking the main road from the parking area by the hatchery through a fairly dense stretch of trees, with a big patch of blackberry and poison oak on the north side of the road. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was here too. A bit farther down, adjacent to the upper parking area (where we started from to see the dipper) were two Hutton's Vireos. Also on our circuit were several Lewis's Woodpeckers, one or two Phainopeplas, and a Rufous-crowned Sparrow in the rocks along the pool below the dam. Liz West's post to SJ Birds reminded me to mention the female Barrow's Goldeneye near the lower (large) day use parking lot among a few commons. We then headed up to the south shore of Lake Camanche. It's been more than ten years since I've been there, and hadn't remembered how large the lake is and how extensive the campground infrastructure is (30 minutes free access or $6.50 for day use--it's a big area, so we opted for the day use). Near the boat launch/fueling station we were surprised to see a MEW GULL on one of the buoys. It was the only gull in the immediate area (there had been a report from the Amador side on 12/3). Also in this area was a Common Loon and 15 American White Pelicans. We drove through Valley Springs without incident (there has been a sniper in the area) and down to Flood and Waverly Rds. Great views of Ferruginous Hawks, plus a Merlin and a flock of Long-billed Curlews. Surprised to miss Prairie Falcons, but looking at Craig's report, they were all in southeast SAC. In the case of the LARK BUNTING, the early bird might not get the reward. We buzzed through in the fog this morning a little after 7:30 with no luck, but on returning at 2:50, it was on the fence, south of where most of the reports have been, near a clump of blackberries (from personal experience, I've missed it twice between 730 and 830 and had it on the fence when we arrived twice in the afternoon). We spent about ten minutes watching it forage on the ground on the east side of the fence near the berry clump. All the best, Chris Conard Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tufted Duck cont. at Cliffton Crt Forebay, Contra Costa Co. 1/15/10 From: "Tony Kurz" <tonyk_71220 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:51:36 -0000 I was able to find the Male TUFTED DUCK fairly quick at Cliffton Court Forebay. The bird was near the entrance where the channel exits out into the forebay. The duck was actually pretty close giving me beautiful looks. More detailed directions, right when enter you can see the lake turn right which takes you out to a point. There should be water on both sides of you, a pennisula, and the duck was right off the end, in the channel side. Also, there was 2 BARROW'S GOLDENEYE in the channel where the water exits the forebay on the South side The canal crosses Byron Highway. I also looked for the Little Blue Hero with no luck. Tony Kurz Arcata Humboldt County Subject: Re: Long-eared Owl, south of Davis. Tufted Duck, LBGU! From: "Todd Easterla" <teasterla AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:00:19 -0800 Hi All, Kevin Guse and I were lucky enough to see the Long-eared owl around noon time as well. At around 12:30 - 1:00PM we had a 3rd cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull. The bird was on the large storm run off pond of the Davis Landfill. This pond is along Rd 29 on the North side actually. The bird was seen from out side the landfill from the levee. This is on the South side of the complex again on Road 29. Access here is now limited so I would not even ask to enter the complex at this time. This is possibly the 2nd cycle bird from last year now in its 3rd cyle. I will have to look at photos of last years bird to make a determination if it is a new bird or not. This bird seemed to have heavier streaking on the head, neck and breast than last years 2cycle bird. It also had a darker looking eye (could have been the light) and thicker bill than the other bird from last year. We also had an adult male Tufted Duck late in the evening at the Davis Wetlands. I think this area is still open to the public on Mondays only. Todd Easterla ----- Original Message ----- From: edwhisler To: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 1:02 PM Subject: [CVBirds] Long-eared Owl, south of Davis During a Yolo Audubon field trip, Zach Smith reported a Long-eared Owl at the Yolo County Grassland Regional Park, south of Davis. I re-found it with the help of Ed Pandolfino and Roger Adamson. The Grasslands Park is on Yolo County Road 104/Mace Blvd, 4 miles outh of Interstate 80. The entrance is at the intersection of Solano County Tremont Road. It is located in the ecalyptus grove south of the first parking lot (Pay Station Lot). $6 if you stay more than a few minutes. It is in the archery range at Archery 7. It is very difficult to find without someone showing it to you. It is perched in a eucalyptus near the top of the tree, on the west side of the tree. Did I say it is an archery range? If you chase it, be careful. Ed Whisler Davis, CA 916-204-0471 cell [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]