Birdingonthe.Net

Recent Postings from
Kern County

> Home > Mail
> Alerts

Updated on Friday, November 20 at 11:30 AM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.
Richardsons Owl

20 Nov Blackburnian Warbler ["carlagary" ]
20 Nov Mt Bluebird at Kern NWR []
19 Nov Fwd: Blackburnian Warbler still at Cal City [Bob Barnes ]
19 Nov eBird CA - Try This [Bob Barnes ]
17 Nov Fwd: Cal Cty Blackburnian Warbler Update [Bob Barnes ]
17 Nov Western Grebe in NY [John Lampkin ]
16 Nov Lake Isabella This Morning [Bob Barnes ]
16 Nov Fwd: Blackburnian Warbler at Cal City. [Bob Barnes ]
16 Nov 3 red-breasted mergansers at Kissack Bay [Alison Sheehey ]
14 Nov Recent Kern Observations [Bob Barnes ]
14 Nov 11/14/09 - Kern River Preserve White-throated Sparrow [Bob Barnes ]
9 Nov White-throated Sparrow ["bewickwren" ]
9 Nov Long-eared Owls --Sunday 11/8/09 [Jimmy McMorran ]
7 Nov Cerro Coso Community College, etc. 11/7/09 [Jimmy McMorran ]
03 Nov Townsend's Warbler at Galileo Hill 11/3/09 ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ]
29 Oct Birding Galileo 10/29/09 (nothing unexpected) ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ]
25 Oct Mountain Bluebirds & Long-billed Curlews [Maggie Smith ]
25 Oct Kern River Valley: Sa, 24 Oct 09 [Bob Barnes ]
21 Oct Birding Galileo Hill 10/21/09 ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ]
20 Oct desert G Cr Kinglets ["Tom Miko" ]
18 Oct Spotted Owl, Saw-whets: Breckenridge Mtn. ["Michael" ]
10 Oct Myiarchus flycatcher, near Lake Ming ["Michael" ]
10 Oct Galileo Catbird ["jimmoore91390" ]
08 Oct Report from Galileo Hill [Bob Barnes ]
08 Oct Gray Catbird and juv. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Galileo Hill 10/8/09 ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ]
05 Oct WWTP, only 2 Pectorals ["Michael" ]
03 Oct #5 Greater White-fronted Geese east of Lake Ming on golf course ["Brenda" ]
02 Oct Galileo birds Thursday 1 October ["thomasgezamiko" ]
01 Oct Re: unknown bird, please help ID (Lark Bunting!) ["dan_cooper_90042" ]
01 Oct unknown bird, please help ID ["eremico" ]
01 Oct California City Eastern Kingbird ["vernonhowe" ]
30 Sep FINAL KERN LIST: 26-27 Sep 09 Luke Cole Memorial Challenge [Bob Barnes ]
30 Sep Owens Lake Field Trip [Brenda Burnett ]
29 Sep HELP! LAST REQUEST!!!26-27 Sep 09 Still Missing Kern Birds [Bob Barnes ]
28 Sep Pectorals continue ["Michael" ]
28 Sep Starter List: 26-27 Sep Luke Cole Memorial Challenge [Bob Barnes ]
25 Sep Pectoral fallout continues ["Michael" ]
25 Sep Birding Galileo Hill 9/24/09 ["kbgoldennugget2" ]
24 Sep Pectorals ["Michael" ]
23 Sep WWTP Sanderlings and Pectoral ["Michael" ]
23 Sep Respond offlist ["Michael" ]
22 Sep Hart Park Peacocks ["queenmarybakersfield" ]
21 Sep Luke Cole Memorial Birding Challenge: 26-27 Sep 09 [Bob Barnes ]
20 Sep Greater White-fronted Goose ["Michael" ]
19 Sep Sa, 19 Sep 09: Galileo Hill/Silver Saddle Birding [Bob Barnes ]
18 Sep Request from Galileo Hill/Silver Saddle Ranch & Club [Bob Barnes ]
17 Sep Galileo Hill 9/16/09 ["kbgoldennugget2" ]
14 Sep Kern's S Sierra 11-13 Sep 09 [Bob Barnes ]
09 Sep 09/09/09: Inyokern--Middlemiss Property [Bob Barnes ]
09 Sep 9/8/09: Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway--Kern Co. [Bob Barnes ]
05 Sep subadult Bald Eagle at Isabella Reservoir [Alison Sheehey ]
04 Sep Only one Pectoral ["macbirder1" ]
2 Sep Birding Galileo Hill 9/2/09 []
02 Sep Some Final Thoughts on August [Bob Barnes ]
31 Aug Su, 30 Aug 09 Kern San Joaquin Valley [Bob Barnes ]
31 Aug Sa, 29 Aug 09 Common Poorwills Galore & More [Bob Barnes ]
29 Aug 2 Pectorals and a Willet ["macbirder1" ]
28 Aug No change, WWTP Pectorals, etc. ["macbirder1" ]
27 Aug WWTP Pectorals and Baird's ["macbirder1" ]
26 Aug WWTP Pectoral Sandpipers ["macbirder1" ]
26 Aug 25 Aug 09 California City Birding [Bob Barnes ]
25 Aug Re: re: clarifications on Silver Saddle [Bob Barnes ]
25 Aug re: clarifications on Silver Saddle [Clifford Hawley ]
25 Aug Re: Some Clarifications on Silver Saddle (Galileo Hill) [Alison Sheehey ]
25 Aug Some Clarifications on Silver Saddle (Galileo Hill) [Bob Barnes ]
24 Aug Re: re: Galileo rules [Wanda Dameron ]
24 Aug re: Galileo rules [Clifford Hawley ]
24 Aug Re: re: Galileo rules [Dany Sloan ]
24 Aug RE: re: Galileo rules ["Jean Brandt" ]
25 Aug Galileo, closed ["macbirder1" ]
25 Aug re: Galileo rules ["thomasgezamiko" ]
25 Aug New Rules at Galileo/Silver Saddle Ranch ["kernkel" ]
23 Aug WWTP Baird's SP ["macbirder1" ]
21 Aug 20 Aug 09 S Fk Kern Watershed Birding [Bob Barnes ]
21 Aug Past Issues of Birding Magazines ["Richard Hallowell" ]
18 Aug Kern NAB Reporting ["John Wilson" ]

Subject: Blackburnian Warbler
From: "carlagary" <carlagary AT ncinternet.net>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:29:17 -0000
At 7:15 this morning, the Blackburnian Warbler at Californian City-Central Park 
continues foraging directly behind the community center along the waters edge. 

Gary File 
Bakersfield
Subject: Mt Bluebird at Kern NWR
From: scre AT aol.com
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:21:36 -0500
This afternoon Lauren Harter and I stopped at the Kern NWR on the auto tour 
loop at parking lot #2 we had a female MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. Hadn't seen any 
reports of any movements of them in this part of the Central Valley yet this 
year. Good Birding. 


David Vander Pluym
Ventura, Ca


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Fwd: Blackburnian Warbler still at Cal City
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:00:03 -0800
Hi,

Curtis Marantz sent me an email asking me to pass on word that Jon 
Dunn called him today to say that he saw the California City Central 
Park Blackburnian Warbler mid-day today (Thursday) in the same place 
were it had been seen earlier (in weeds at edge of lake near the 
community center).

Curtis also mentioned that he did not see the Ancient Murrelet at the 
Salton Sea this morning.

For Curtis Marantz and Jon Dunn,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: eBird CA - Try This
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:05:30 -0800
Hi,

You may have already discovered this ... but, try this...

Go to:
http://ebird.org/content/ca/

Then click on the Kern link under the "Most Checklists Submitted for 
Current Month" heading.

Then click on the "Nov" link at the top of the columns.

Then click on the "Greater White-fronted Goose" link at the top of 
the species list.

Then click on the yellow map pin at Lake Isabella to see the...
Location: Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove, Kern, US-CA
Date: 11/14/09
#: 1
Observer: Alison Sheehey
of Alison's Greater White-fronted Goose observation this past 
Saturday, November 14th.

One can do this with any species, any month, or any year back to 
1900! To do so, explore the "Change Date" link next to the "Date 
Range" heading at the top of the page.

Cool stuff! And just the tip of the iceberg!!!

By the way, the notes when I submit data to eBird are often much more 
extensive than on the publicly available information. But, I can find 
all of my notes when I look up any one of my lists using the "Manage 
My Observations." "Manage My Observations" is also where I go to fix 
my mistakes when I come across them ... wrong year, addition of a 
forgotten species, addition of information to my notes, etc., etc., 
etc. Of course, one has to register to enter personal data onto eBird 
in order to "Manage My Observations." But, there is no charge to play!

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob


    

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Fwd: Cal Cty Blackburnian Warbler Update
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:22:20 -0800
Hi,

The Blackburnian Warbler first found by Nevada birder Greg Scyphers 
at California City's Central Park was found later yesterday (Monday 
afternoon) by Martin Meyers of Truckee.
Here is Martin's update:

>From: martin AT sierrabirdbum.com
>To: "Bob Barnes" 
>Subject: RE: Blackburnian Warbler at Cal City
>Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:09:12 -0700
>
>Yup-- got to see it (watched it for about an hour) and got great photos.
>  The bird fed aggressively and continuously, appearing to be eating weed
>seeds and sometimes behaving more like a goldfinch than a warbler.  It
>was totally oblivious to me, to others walking by, to noise, etc.  I
>expect it is not doing well (although it could fly okay and didn't
>really look like it was starving.)  It never left the section
>immediately behind the community center and only once flew up into a
>tree.
>
>Martin Meyers

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Western Grebe in NY
From: John Lampkin <johnLampkin AT JohnLampkin.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:18:03 -0500
Dear friends out west,

During past sojourns to Kern for the Spring Nature Fest, I've been mildly
amused by the excitement generated there by some common eastern species that
frequent my feeder.

Turnabout time! The first ever Rockland County NY record of a Western Grebe
was documented this past week, generating what can best be described as mild
euphoria. After hanging out at the Piermont Pier, which is located on the
Hudson about 30 minutes north of NYC, the boid moved on southward and was
last spotted in Raritan New Joisey.

Best regards, and looking forward to another Kern Nature Fest,

John Lampkin


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Lake Isabella This Morning
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:01:39 -0800
Hi,

Species lists follow below.

A spectacular day to go birding with clear, bright, blue skies and 
excellent light conditions. Alison Sheehey kindly related the 
presence of three RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (2 females and what appeared 
to me to be a 1st winter male) separate from, then near six female 
Common Mergansers in Kissack Cove. Nine duck species in relatively 
close quarters ... which is excellent at this stage of the life of 
Isabella Reservoir. Also, BONAPARTE'S GULL.

ENGINEER POINT was the next stop. This point is located between the 
two dams (Main Dam, Auxiliary Dam) and sticks out into the reservoir 
for about a mile. It is accessible by high clearance vehicle to the 
end. I got my Toyota Corolla pretty close to the end. I mention 
Engineer Point as it is a great spot for scoping all but the entire 
reservoir additionally making it a great place to get oriented, 
especially if you have never birded Isabella Lake before. When loons 
are present (not found this morning), Engineer Point is often a site 
from which they may be found (NOTE: If one is an active California 
county birder, Isabella Reservoir will surely be a destination to 
visit to add species to one's Kern County list.). Light this morning 
was excellent for viewing by 9am. 2000 WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBES 
estimated; 266 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS counted.

A brief stop at BLM's Slippery Rock Launch Site (across the 
street/Hwy. 155 from Main Dam Campground) produced two AMERICAN 
DIPPERS and  a CANYON WREN.

About 0.7 miles up Sawmill Road off Hwy. 155 is an excellent 
Rufous-crowned Sparrow site referred to me by John Schmitt late last 
spring. It is a great site because it is close at hand ... being just 
off Hwy. 155 between the communities of Lake Isabella and Wofford 
Heights. Two RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS were observed there this morning.

The final birding site of the morning was Isabella Reservoir's north 
fork. No Bald Eagles yet. 750 WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBES counted.

Location:     Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     7:20am-8:35am - Beautiful, crisp, clear fall day with 
outstanding light conditions.
Number of species:     28
Gadwall     25
American Wigeon     25 (9 adult males)
Green-winged Teal (American)     10     Apparently five pairs.
Redhead     2 adult males
Lesser Scaup     1     Strikingly smaller than accompanying Redheads
Bufflehead     1 (female)
Common Goldeneye     2 (a pair)
Common Merganser     6 (female plumage)
Red-breasted Merganser     3     First one individual found by 
itself. It swam and joined two others. They swam close to six 
female-plumaged Common Merganser for comparison. Vs. the six Common 
Mergansers all three Red-breasted Mergansers were smaller, had 
lighter, rust colored heads (vs. intense in Common's), duller-colored 
bills, shaggier crests in back (which also never "sat down" like in 
Common Mergansers), no clean cut between rusty color of head and 
white on chest, more grayish white vs clean white in Common Mergs, 
overall were "messier," less crisply marked. One individual was 
thought to be a fist winter male due to its particular "messiness" 
look and the fact that the chest had a stippled look to it that 
suggested a "shadow" of the red breast of an adult male Red-breasted Merganser.
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Eared Grebe     1
Western/Clark's Grebe     136 (too far away to hear or visually 
determine to species)
American White Pelican     5
Double-crested Cormorant     10
Great Blue Heron     1
Osprey     2
American Kestrel     1
American Coot     105
Killdeer     1
Bonaparte's Gull     1
Ring-billed Gull     6
California Gull     55
gull sp.     95     Too far away on a sandbar for me to pin down.
Loggerhead Shrike     1
Common Raven     3
Horned Lark     22
Rock Wren     3     Together.
American Pipit     61
House Finch     6
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Lake Isabella--Engineer Pt.
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     8:55am-10:25am - Spectacular day ... clear, sunny, 
outstanding light conditions. Best location to get oriented to all 
but the entire reservoir.
Number of species:     11
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Eared Grebe     65
Western/Clark's Grebe     2000
American White Pelican     26
Double-crested Cormorant     266     Perched on snags off Engineer Point.
Great Blue Heron     4
American Coot     6
gull sp.     100
Common Raven     4
Horned Lark     3
Rock Wren     2
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Lake Isabella--North Fork
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     11:40am-12:00pm - Special morning ... clear, sunny, 
bright, excellent sun aspect. No Bald Eagles yet!
Number of species:     8
Western/Clark's Grebe     750
American White Pelican     1
Double-crested Cormorant     16
Great Blue Heron     2
American Coot     1
gull sp.     50
Common Raven     4
Rock Wren     1
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Keyesville--Slippery Rock Launch Site
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     10:25am-10:35am.
Number of species:     8
Black Phoebe     1
Western Scrub-Jay     1
Common Raven     1
Canyon Wren     1
American Dipper     2     Both in view simultaneously about 200' 
apart on small rocks forming riffles in Kern River.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     1
California Towhee     3
White-crowned Sparrow     4
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Greenhorn Mtns.---Sawmill Rd.
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     11:10am-11:35am - First 0.7 miles of Sawmill Road. 
Dominated by gray pine except for steeper, rocky hillsides which 
provide excellent Rufous-crowned Sparrow habitat.
Number of species:     6
Western Scrub-Jay     5
Common Raven     2
Western Bluebird     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow     2
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     3
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Fwd: Blackburnian Warbler at Cal City.
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:01:59 -0800
All,

 From Martin Meyers.

FYI: Greg Scyphers is recognized as a top-notch and careful Nevada 
birder. Besides, he told Martin he got great photos for reviewers.

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, CA

>From: martin AT sierrabirdbum.com
>To: "Bob Barnes" 
>Subject: Blackburnian Warbler at Cal City. (I don't have Kern list posting
>  privileges)
>Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:28:09 -0700
>
>Hi, Bob,
>Greg Scyphers just called me from California City. He's on his way home
>to Reno.
>He found a female/immature type Blackburnian Warbler feeding on the
>ground right behind the community center in the city park. (There's a
>little strip of land between the community center and the lake, and it
>was walking around there.)  He says he got great photos.
>
>I'm just now leaving L.A. on my way home, and am going to go that
>direction to see if I can find it, too.
>
>I thought it might be worth posting on the Kern list -- if you agree,
>could you post it for me (actually, for Greg).
>
>Martin
>
>---------------
>  Martin Meyers
>  email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
>  Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
>  Truckee, CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: 3 red-breasted mergansers at Kissack Bay
From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:55:09 -0800
Bob Barnes reports 3 Red-breasted Mergansers at the west end of Kissack 
Bay. Also, American Wigeon, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common 
Merganser.

If you need the mergansers they are there now.

Ali
Subject: Recent Kern Observations
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:40:46 -0800
Hi,

Alison Sheehey is currently leading a Kerncrest Audubon Society field 
trip to many locations in the Kern River Valley. She has called me 
twice today with reports of nice finds. I a hopeful she will pass 
those sightings on to you after her field trip concludes.

Following are some updates on species in the area followed by more 
complete eBird reports:

11/14/09 - Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Site (Desert Memorial Park 
portion of this eBid "hotspot.") . No true rarities. But, a nice 
selection of species for this specific site. HIGHLIGHTS: PRAIRIE 
FALCON 1, LONG-EARED OWL 2, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER 1, RED-BREASTED 
NUTHATCH 1, ROCK WREN 1, BEWICK's WREN 1.

11/13/09 - Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway (lower 4 miles of 
Kern Co. portion) hosted a nice, if not rare, mix of western species 
including CALIFORNIA QUAIL, ACORN WOODPECKER, NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER, 
WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, CACTUS WREN, ROCK WREN, OAK TTITMOUSE, WRENTIT, 
CALIFORNIA THRASHER, SPOTTED TOWHEE, and CALIFORNIA TOWHEE in 
relatively close proximity to each other.

11/13/09 - Scodie County Park in Onyx had one RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. 
ZERO RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERS, WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKERS, and WHITE-HEADED 
WOODPECKERS reported from this small, two-acre park as yet this "winter."

11/13/09 - Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove provided an OSPREY, 100s of 
WESTERN GREBES and CLARK'S GREBES, four AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, plus 
an adult PEREGRINE FALCON.

11/8/09 - Kern River Preserve--Sierra Way provided a FIRST RECORD of 
EARED GREBE for the Kern River Preserve (in 30 years of literally 
100s of birders birding there). A lone individual was at Prince's 
Pond. Other highlights included: WHITE-TILED KITE 1, VIRGINIA RAIL 3, 
and SORA 2.

11/5/09 - California City's Central Park - TUNDRA SWAN back at the 
main park lake, ROSS'S GOOSE there as usual.

11/4/09 - Sequoia National Forest's Tillie Creek Campground in 
Wofford Heights ... John Schmitt has counted up to SEVENTY 
PHAINOPEPLAS on active mornings. There were 10-15 counted on a recent 
slow morning (11/4/09). John also has RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER and 
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER wintering territories staked out at the 
campground. Both were observed on 11/4/09. Numerous PURPLE FINCHES 
were observed this date also as were at least two MERLINS. Purple 
Finches winter at this campground virtually annually.

Location:     Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Park
Observation date:     11/14/09
Notes:     10:40am-11:10am observations at the ponds portion of the 
Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Area.
Number of species:     17
Mallard     6     Three pairs.
Northern Shoveler     1
Ruddy Duck     6
Sharp-shinned Hawk     1     May be same individual as the one found 
at the cemetery earlier in the morning.
American Coot     6
Rock Pigeon     7
Black Phoebe     1
Say's Phoebe     1
Common Raven     3
Horned Lark     61
Marsh Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
European Starling     9
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     15
Sage Sparrow (Interior)     1
Song Sparrow     2
White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's)     3     Two adults, one immature.
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Location:     Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Park
Observation date:     11/14/09
Notes:     9:30am-10:40am observations made at the 10 acre Desert 
Memorial Park (cemetery) portion of the Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife 
Area eBird "hotpsot" location.
Number of species:     15
Sharp-shinned Hawk     1
Prairie Falcon     1
Rock Pigeon     36
Long-eared Owl     2
Red-breasted Sapsucker     1     daggetti
Black Phoebe     1
Common Raven     3
Horned Lark     82
Red-breasted Nuthatch     1
Rock Wren     1
Bewick's Wren     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     17
White-crowned Sparrow     1
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     4
House Finch     1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Location:     Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway--Kern Co.
Observation date:     11/13/09
Notes:     9:25am-10:55am.
Number of species:     19
California Quail     1
Acorn Woodpecker     3
Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)     1
Loggerhead Shrike     1
Western Scrub-Jay     7
Oak Titmouse     1
Cactus Wren     2
Rock Wren     1
Bewick's Wren     4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
American Robin     1
Wrentit     1
California Thrasher     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     1
Spotted Towhee     1
California Towhee     3
White-crowned Sparrow     12
House Finch     1
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     South Fork Valley--Scodie Park
Observation date:     11/13/09
Notes:     8:45am-8:55am.
Number of species:     12
Red-breasted Sapsucker     1     Adult.
Western Scrub-Jay     1
Common Raven     2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
Western Bluebird     4
Northern Mockingbird     1
European Starling     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     4
White-crowned Sparrow     3
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     10
House Finch     1
House Sparrow     2
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     11/13/09
Notes:     0645-0730.
Number of species:     14
Gadwall     120
Mallard     30
Bufflehead     6
Western Grebe     10
Clark's Grebe     10
Western/Clark's Grebe     300
American White Pelican     4
Double-crested Cormorant     3
Osprey     1
Peregrine Falcon     1
American Coot     15
Ring-billed Gull     20
California Gull     100
Common Raven     6
Horned Lark     4
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Kern River Preserve--Sierra Way
Observation date:     11/8/09
Notes:     6:05am-9:05am. 31.8F-53.3F, 74%-65% humidity, 0 kph wind. 
Mammals: Bobcat-1, Mule Deer-4.
Number of species:     37
Mallard     32     17 in female plumage, 15 in adult male plumage
California Quail     5
Eared Grebe     1
Great Blue Heron     1
White-tailed Kite     1
Cooper's Hawk     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     3
Red-tailed Hawk     2
American Kestrel     3
Virginia Rail     3
Sora     2
American Coot     4
Mourning Dove     1
Nuttall's Woodpecker     3
Downy Woodpecker     1
Hairy Woodpecker     3
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)     10
Black Phoebe     5
Say's Phoebe     2
Western Scrub-Jay     1
Common Raven     10
Oak Titmouse     2
White-breasted Nuthatch     1
Bewick's Wren     7
Marsh Wren     4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     7
Western Bluebird     12
Hermit Thrush     2
American Robin     4
Northern Mockingbird     2
European Starling     3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     8
Song Sparrow     55
White-crowned Sparrow     9
Red-winged Blackbird     25
House Finch     69
American Goldfinch     3
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     California City Central Park
Observation date:     11/5/09
Number of species:     21
Ross's Goose     1
Snow/Ross's Goose     1
Tundra Swan     1
Mallard     13
Ruddy Duck     3
Pied-billed Grebe     2
Western Grebe     3
Double-crested Cormorant     4
Great Blue Heron     1
American Coot     29
Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
Empidonax sp.     1     This Empidonax gave the quick impression of 
an adult Hammond's Flycatcher. But, the initial look was the only 
look obtained ... a relatively quick look while sitting on a fence 
and making one or two forays up and out for bugs. An attempt to 
refind this bird to try and get more details was unsuccessful. 
Impression was of a small Empid with a large head, short tail, and 
gray back and tail. Tail and bird overall seemed too small for a Gray 
Flycatcher. Just did not have the Gray Flycatcher "jizz." Rarer 
species such as Least Flycatcher not ruled out. Thus the designation 
as Empidonax species.
Black Phoebe     1
Common Raven     1
American Robin     14
Northern Mockingbird     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     15
Lark Sparrow     2
White-crowned Sparrow     4
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     10
Brewer's Blackbird     1
Lesser Goldfinch     4
American Goldfinch     7
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Wofford Heights--Tillie Creek Campground
Observation date:     11/4/09
Notes:     6:55am-9:10am, Wednesday, November 4, 2009. 50.1F-64.9F, 
33%-23% humidity, Winds to 1.9kph. Bob Barnes, John Schmitt (has a 
more extensive list as I ran into him at the campground. He is going 
to investigate eBird and may start entering his considerable (and, 
therefore, additionally significant) body of observations from Tillie 
Creek Campground on numerous days over numerous years). BB.
Number of species:     36
Common Merganser     36
California Quail     10
Osprey     1
Sharp-shinned Hawk     1
Cooper's Hawk     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     1
Merlin (Taiga)     2
American Coot     5
Mourning Dove     3
Anna's Hummingbird     2
Acorn Woodpecker     7
Red-naped Sapsucker     1
Red-breasted Sapsucker     1
Nuttall's Woodpecker     4
Northern Flicker     2
Black Phoebe     2
Say's Phoebe     1
Western Scrub-Jay     9
Common Raven     4
Oak Titmouse     1
Bushtit     1
White-breasted Nuthatch     2
Rock Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
Northern Mockingbird     7
California Thrasher     1
European Starling     3
Phainopepla     12
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     3
Spotted Towhee     6
Lark Sparrow     1
White-crowned Sparrow     10
Golden-crowned Sparrow     4
Purple Finch (Western)     6
House Finch     10
House Sparrow     2
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: 11/14/09 - Kern River Preserve White-throated Sparrow
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:14:13 -0800
Hi,

Just received a phone call from Alison Sheehey. Around 9am this 
morning (just a few minutes ago) she found a tan-striped morph 
White-throated Sparrow at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. The 
sparrow was actively foraging for thistle seeds below the thistle 
feed seeder on the west side of the front lawn. Specifically, the 
feeder is next to the private driveway to the Preserve Manager's 
house and across that driveway from the large water tank and propane 
tank). This is 50-100 feet from the Headquarters public parking area.

Additional Observers: Brenda Burnett, Eleanor Fahey, Nancy Robinson, 
Sandra Wieser, and three other participant's on Alison's Kerncrest 
Audubon Society (eastern Kern County) field trip to Audubon 
California's Kern River Preserve.

For Alison Sheehey,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, CA.
Subject: White-throated Sparrow
From: "bewickwren" <bewickwren AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 17:32:54 -0800
Kern County Birders,

 

Madeline Bauer left a message for me asking me to post that she had a
tan-stripe White-throated Sparrow at Scodie Park in Onyx.  Seen at around
1:30 PM, north side of swing set.

 

John Green

Riverside, CA



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Long-eared Owls --Sunday 11/8/09
From: Jimmy McMorran <bigshell53 AT msn.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 19:09:38 -0600
 

Hi birders,

 

At Cerro Coso Community College, at least (4) Long-eared Owls were roosting 
together in the pines in between the parking lot and the building. Red-breasted 
Nuthatches and the "slate-colored" Juncos were still present along with a 
Red-naped Sapsucker. A Merlin was at the Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area, and 
at the cemetery just down the road was another Long-eared Owl and a Barn owl. 


 

Good Birding,

Jimmy McMorran

Cardiff, CA
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Cerro Coso Community College, etc. 11/7/09
From: Jimmy McMorran <bigshell53 AT msn.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 20:13:35 -0600
 

Hi Birders,

 

Matt Kedziora, Andrew Fisher, and I had an hour this morning (11/7) to bird 
around Cerro Coso Community College between 0615-0715. Birds of note were: 


Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)

Varied Thrush (1 male)--photo

Dark-eyed Junco "Slate-colored"  (2)--Photo

If anybody needs to see a photo of the birds, I have low quality, but 
identifiable images (due to low light). 


 

Behind the Marriot in Ridgecrest was a Sage Thrasher in the scrub.

 

Good Birding,

Jimmy McMorran

Cardiff, CA

 
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Townsend's Warbler at Galileo Hill 11/3/09
From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:21:07 -0000
 Today, Tuesday, 11/3/09, we saw a Townsend's Warbler at Galileo Hill/Silver 
Saddle Ranch. It was seen across from the hotel entrance. There were four 
Buffleheads on the larger lake and a Brown Creeper across from the hotel 
entrance. Also, we saw about 30 Yellow-rumped Warblers,approximately 15 
Golden-crowned Kinglet, several Ruby-crowned Kinglets, one Hermit Thrush, one 
White-crowned Sparrow,and one Dark-eyed Junco. 


                           Ken and Brenda Kyle
                           Bakersfield
Subject: Birding Galileo 10/29/09 (nothing unexpected)
From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:34:58 -0000
 Today, Thursday, 10/29/09, we saw the following birds at Galileo Hill on the 
eastern Kern desert: Varied Thrush(1)(by the waterpipe waterfall), Townsend's 
Solitaire(1),Hermit Thrush(4),Downy Woodpecker(1), Cormorants(3),Red-breasted 
Sapsucker(2),Northern Flicker-Red-shafted(10+), Red-breasted Nuthatch(1), 
Golden-crowned Kinglet(4+),American Robin(8+), Pipit sp.(1), Cedar 
Waxwing(1),Orange-crowned Warbler(1), Yellow-rumped 
Warbler-Audubon's(70+),Spotted Towhee(1),and Fox Sparrow(4). 


                        Ken and Brenda Kyle
                        Bakersfield
Subject: Mountain Bluebirds & Long-billed Curlews
From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT charter.net>
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:17:10 -0700
Doug Stinson and I drove Bitterwater Valley Road today.  We saw 2 large 
groups  of LONG-BILLED CURLEWS totaling about 300 birds land in the 
grasslands near a ranch.  This was toward the top of the road and not 
very far from the San Luis Obispo County line.  Past the ranch there was 
a flock of about 50 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS on the fence line and in the near 
pasture.

Maggie Smith
Arroyo Grande, CA
Subject: Kern River Valley: Sa, 24 Oct 09
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:24:21 -0700
Hi,

After 26 consecutive days in the office except for one full a.m. of 
birding Sa, 4 Oct 09, 1.75 hrs. of birding on Fr, 16 Oct 09, and 3 
hrs. of birding on Sa, 17 Oct 09, nearly a full day of birding time 
away from the desk and computer was an irresistible pull on Sa, 24 Oct 09.


SUMMARIES (eBird details following):
    * Left Ridgecrest c. 6:15am
    * Canebrake Ecological Reserve had a presence of a thoroughly 
winter time avifauna. HIGHLIGHTS included Bobcat, 8 American Wigeon, 
7 Virginia Rails, 1 Sora, 2 Canyon Wrens, and 60 Tricolored Blackbirds...
    *  Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway's lower 1.5 miles 
revealed limited species diversity and numbers. HIGHLIGHTS included 3 
Cactus Wrens, 8 Mountain Bluebirds (FOF), and 3 Sage Sparrows.
    * Isabella Reservoir's Kissack Cove supplied HIGHLIGHTS including 
51 Eared Grebes, 1017 Western Grebes and Clark's Grebes (counted 
one-by-one with only the very closest ones identified to species ... 
one pair did the side-by-side run across the water bringing to mind 
the fact that little white young have been observed on the backs of 
adults on Isabella Reservoir into December), 63 American White 
Pelicans, 71 Double-crested Cormorants, 1 Osprey, and 1 Herring Gull.
    * Main Dam Campground - 1 Canyon Wren
    * Paul's Place - 0 species, 0 individuals
    * Kelso Creek Rd - 136 Common Ravens
    * CA Hwy 178, Fay Ranch Rd, Kelso Creek Rd, Kelso Valley Rd, and 
Sierra Way - unsuccessful searches for White-tailed Kite and FOF 
Ferruginous Hawk
    * Back in Ridgecrest c. 3:15pm.

eBIRD REPORTS:

Location:     South Fork Valley--Canebrake Ecological Reserve
Observation date:     10/24/09
Notes:     7:05am-9:00am - Weather at start and finish: 40.3F-54.4F, 
66%-46% humidity, zero wind, zero cloud cover. HIGHLIGHT: BOBCAT 
along Public Access Trail at 7:22am while a COYOTE called in the background.
Number of Species:     33
    * American Wigeon     8     Mix of males and females
    * Green-winged Teal (American)     1
    * California Quail     1     Heard only ... may have been many more...
    * Sharp-shinned Hawk     1     Tiny, tiny, tiny ... However, NOT 
a Tiny Hawk.
    * Red-tailed Hawk     1
    * Virginia Rail     7
    * Sora     1
    * American Coot     2
    * Rock Pigeon     16
    * Acorn Woodpecker     1
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     4
    * Northern Flicker     5
    * Black Phoebe     1
    * Say's Phoebe     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     2
    * Common Raven     4
    * Oak Titmouse     2
    * Rock Wren     1
    * Canyon Wren     2
    * Bewick's Wren     1
    * Marsh Wren     6
    * Ruby-crowned Kinglet     3
    * Western Bluebird     2
    * Wrentit     1
    * European Starling     6
    * Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     1
    * Song Sparrow     11
    * White-crowned Sparrow     34
    * Red-winged Blackbird     6
    * Tricolored Blackbird     60     60 individuals is NOT an 
unusual number. This species' Kern River Valley population appears to 
be a resident population ... with virtually all wintering individuals 
being found on the Canebrake Ecological Reserve on Christmas Bird Counts.
    * Brewer's Blackbird     4
    * blackbird sp.     90
    * House Finch     7
    * Lesser Goldfinch     1
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway--Kern Co.
Observation date:     10/24/09
Notes:     9:10am-9:55am - First 1.5 mi. of Chimney Peak National 
Back Country Byway. Weather at start: 64.2F, 30% humidity, 0-4.5kph 
wind, zero cloud cover. HIGHLIGHT: FOF Mountain Bluebirds...
Number of species:     6
    * Cactus Wren     3     Three together in Joshua tree woodland 
located 1.5 miles up Chimney Peak Byway from CA Hwy. 178.
    * Rock Wren     1     At junction of Chimney Peak Byway and CA Hwy 178.
    * Mountain Bluebird     8     Two separate groups (3 + 5)in 
desert scrub below Joshua tree woodland. First group 0.3 miles up 
Chimney Peak Byway from CA Hwy 178. Second group at 0.9 miles.
    * Sage Sparrow (Interior)     3     In desert scrub c. 0.5 miles 
up Chimney Peak Byway from CA Hwy 178.
    * White-crowned Sparrow     1
    * House Finch     1
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     10/24/09
Notes:     11:10am-11:55am
Number of species:     16
    * Gadwall     22
    * Eared Grebe     51
    * Western Grebe     2
    * Clark's Grebe     10
    * Western/Clark's Grebe     1005     1017 counted one by one ... 
very close individuals identified to species. NOTE: Running courtship 
dance being performed.
    * American White Pelican     63
    * Double-crested Cormorant     71
    * Great Blue Heron     6
    * Osprey     1
    * American Coot     19
    * Killdeer     9
    * Ring-billed Gull     2
    * California Gull     10
    * Herring Gull     1     Adult non-breeding. Giant size vs. all 
other gulls noted first. Even gulls in front and closer appeared much 
smaller. Also noted ... pink legs, large bright yellow bill with red 
spot near tip, light eye, fine brown streaking on hind neck and sides 
of neck. Lightest mantle of gulls present.
    * gull sp.     115
    * Common Raven     12
    * Horned Lark     5
    * Western Meadowlark     6
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Back in the office all day today -taking a break via this post to 
kerncobirding.

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California
E: bbarnes AT lightspeed.net; P: 760-382-1260


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Birding Galileo Hill 10/21/09
From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:16:14 -0000
 Today, Wednesday, 10/21/09, we saw the following birds at Galileo Hill(Silver 
Saddle Ranch) on the eastern Kern desert: Winter Wren(across from the hotel in 
a tree next to the creek), Yellow Warbler(2), 

Black-throated Gray Warbler(1), Orange-crowned Warbler(1), Yellow-rumped 
Warbler-Audubon's(12+), Ruby-crowned Kinglet(15+), Golden-crowned Kinglet(6+), 
Cassin's Vireo(1), Red-naped Sapsucker-male(1), Fox Sparrow(2), White-crowned 
Sparrows(15+), and Cedar Waxwings(15). 


                       Ken and Brenda Kyle
                       Bakersfield
Subject: desert G Cr Kinglets
From: "Tom Miko" <thomas.miko AT verizon.net>
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:16:05 +0000
A few dozen all over Galileo; a dozen at California City Park.
Is the Tundra Swan gone?
Tom Miko
Claremont
Thomas Geza Miko
Subject: Spotted Owl, Saw-whets: Breckenridge Mtn.
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:16:07 -0000
Birders: Gary File and I took a group of Kern Auduboners on a field trip up 
Breckenridge Mountain, in search of owls. We found SPOTTED, NORTHERN SAW-WHET 
(2), WESTERN SCREECH- (8), AND GREAT HORNED. It was a relatively warm, 
beautiful night. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: Myiarchus flycatcher, near Lake Ming
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:04:09 -0000
Birders: This morning, at the group picnic area east of Lake Ming, there was a 
silent Myiarchus flycatcher. My first guess is Ash-throated, but because of the 
time of year, that is always up for debate. For those of you who have been 
around for some time, it was in the same tree as our November Myiarchus a few 
years ago. When you enter the parking lot, there is a tree with berries (Pepper 
Tree?) in a direct line with the nearest restroom. The bird returned to that 
tree repeatedly. After seeing it clearly the morning, I realize it is the same 
bird seen by Gary File, last Saturday. The bird did not open its mouth, either. 
Tough id, until it makes some noise or opens its mouth. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield
Subject: Galileo Catbird
From: "jimmoore91390" <jimmoore AT socal.rr.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:37:03 -0000
The Gray Catbird was at the east side of the stables, seen by Dick Barth, 
Barbara Carlson and myself at 8:00 AM this morning. It was foraging under the 
oleanders between the stables and the circular drive with the parked 
skiploader. It was spooked by the worker's dogs and I could not find it at 
11:30. 


Also seen were a pair of Townsend's Solitaires, a Yellow-shafted Flicker among 
several Red-shafted, 2 Red-naped Sapsuckers, 3 Plumbeous Vireos, a Cassin's 
Vireo, six western warbler species, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped (100s), 
Black-throated Gray, Townsend's, Common Yellowthroat and Wilson's, plus 
Chipping, Vesper, Sage, Savannah, Fox, Song, Lincoln's and White-crown 
Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and Spotted Towhees. 


Jim Moore
Agua Dulce
Subject: Report from Galileo Hill
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:53:54 -0700
Hi,

Sacramento birders Anne Blandin and Gary Fregien just called (4:30pm) 
to report a GRAY CATBIRD and two Yellow-shafted Flickers at Galileo Hill.

  The flickers were in the company of Red-shafted Flickers.

The catbird was observed in the stable (equestrian center) area as 
accessed from the paved road running from the registration area to 
the petting zoo. AKA the paved road which bisects the stables 
complex. It was in the rosemary and out on the dirt road running west 
from the middle portion of the paved road. This is the dirt road that 
runs right through the heart of the equestrian center.

For Anne & Gary,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County
Subject: Gray Catbird and juv. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Galileo Hill 10/8/09
From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com>
Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:46:21 -0000
 Today, Thursday, 10/8/09, at Galileo Hill on the eastern Kern desert, we saw a 
Gray Catbird on the ground under a bush at the east end of the stables. The 
bird moved all over the area at the east end of the stables. 


 We saw a juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in a tree east of the petting zoo. 


 Also, we saw the following birds at Galileo: Snow Goose(2)flying over Galileo, 
Ring-necked Duck(1), Osprey(1), Belted Kingfisher(1), Orange-crowned 
Warbler(3+), Yellow Warbler(6+), Yellow-rumped Warbler-Audubon's(70+), 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet(8+), Hermit Thrush(7+),Black-headed Grosbeak-adult 
male(1), Spotted Towhee(2), White-crowned Sparrow(10+), and a Cedar Waxwing(1). 


 This evening, we will place a photo of the Gray Catbird, juvenile 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Snow Goose into the kerncobirding photo section 
in the album labeled 01Birds. 


                      Ken and Brenda Kyle
                      Bakersfield
Subject: WWTP, only 2 Pectorals
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:08:40 -0000
Birders: The Waste Water Treatment Plant shorebirds are adjusting to the 
season, as scheduled. Only 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS remain from the dozen-plus 
birds present for the past month. There are no Western Sandpipers left. 
Hundreds of LEAST SANDPIPERS remain. The large ponds have virtually no 
shoreline, so there are no shorebirds. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield
Subject: #5 Greater White-fronted Geese east of Lake Ming on golf course
From: "Brenda" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com>
Date: Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:37:49 -0000
 Today, Saturday, 10/3/09, we saw five Greater White-fronted Geese on the golf 
course south of Lake Ming. They were close to the fence. If you drive toward 
the east end of Lake Ming, you will see them to your right on the golf course. 


                        Ken and Brenda Kyle
                        Bakersfield
Subject: Galileo birds Thursday 1 October
From: "thomasgezamiko" <thomas.miko AT verizon.net>
Date: Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:42:24 -0000
Jeff Cowell and I birded Galileo today (Thursday). Highlights included 1 
Townsend's Solitaire, 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches, and a Swamp Sparrow. Tons of 
Ruby-crowned (and no Golden-crowned) Kinglets, Audubon's Warblers and Flickers. 

An F-15 flew right over us (150 feet?) at well over mach 1, and the sonic boom 
(sounded like a 155 shell went off)almost blew out all of the windows at 
Galileo. 

A brief stop at California City was uneventful.
Tom Miko
Claremont
LA County
Subject: Re: unknown bird, please help ID (Lark Bunting!)
From: "dan_cooper_90042" <dan_cooper_90042 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:28:43 -0000
Hi Denise,

Appears to be a Lark Bunting. A few have been reported around the state the 
past couple weeks, but (obviously) this is a great find in Kern Co. (Good thing 
you had a camera - I wasn't thinking "sparrow" from your description!) 


I assume you guys still put out birdseed? It might stick around, though most of 
our birds on the coast here are one-day (or one-minute) wonders... 


Dan Cooper
Los Angeles

--- In kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "eremico"  wrote:
>
> Attached is photo (sorry for quality) of bird I saw this morning on my walk 
thru the neighborhood. It's in Denise Album. I initially saw if before dawn, 
without binocs. It was on the ground. It had a long, broad wing bar. Head 
appeared darker than rest of body. When it flew, it had white tip tail (all 
rectrices, as in a Eastern Kingbird). When I went back to spot with binocs, I 
saw it briefly and photographed it. Breast was spotted/streaky. Broad, long 
wing bar. It was kinda streaky, light brownish/golden on back. Face had a 
pattern (a couple of streaks, don't know exactly). I was more interested on 
getting a photo. It flew off with the click of the camera. It was about the 
size of a Sage Trasher or a bit smaller. There was also a SATH in the vicinity. 
It called when flying ("trip"). 

> 
> Thanks,
> Denise
> ___________________
> Denise LaBerteaux
> Weldon, CA 93283
> 760-378-3021 office and fax
> 760-617-6306 mobile
> eremico AT ...
>
Subject: unknown bird, please help ID
From: "eremico" <eremico AT aol.com>
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:00:07 -0000
Attached is photo (sorry for quality) of bird I saw this morning on my walk 
thru the neighborhood. It's in Denise Album. I initially saw if before dawn, 
without binocs. It was on the ground. It had a long, broad wing bar. Head 
appeared darker than rest of body. When it flew, it had white tip tail (all 
rectrices, as in a Eastern Kingbird). When I went back to spot with binocs, I 
saw it briefly and photographed it. Breast was spotted/streaky. Broad, long 
wing bar. It was kinda streaky, light brownish/golden on back. Face had a 
pattern (a couple of streaks, don't know exactly). I was more interested on 
getting a photo. It flew off with the click of the camera. It was about the 
size of a Sage Trasher or a bit smaller. There was also a SATH in the vicinity. 
It called when flying ("trip"). 


Thanks,
Denise
___________________
Denise LaBerteaux
Weldon, CA 93283
760-378-3021 office and fax
760-617-6306 mobile
eremico AT aol.com
Subject: California City Eastern Kingbird
From: "vernonhowe" <vhowe AT lasierra.edu>
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:50:07 -0000
Today (Wed, 9/30/09) I birded Galileo from 7-10am and California City from 
10:30am-1:30pm. The day started out cold (51 degrees) and breezy. It was breezy 
to windy the rest of the day. 


In California City a very cooperative EASTERN KINGBIRD was at the par-three 
golf course in Central Park. I think this is a fairly late date for this 
species. It was feeding from the chain-link fence that separates the apartments 
and the golf course near the 16th and 17th tees (near the end of the lake and 
the highway). In general California City was birdy. Of interest (to me) were a 
Townsend's Solitaire (near the abandoned hotel in Central Park), a Prairie 
Falcon, a single Vaux's Swift, and a female Vermillion Flycatcher. 


At Galileo migrants were hard to find. It was almost like the birds were swept 
out with a broom since last Saturday. Of interest were a Hermit Warbler and a 
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Please note that access (without paying) to Galileo is 
restricted to weekdays. At 6:45am when I was getting things out of the car a 
worker came up and asked me to check in with security. After talking for a 
while she said that she would radio security for me. She wanted me to feel 
welcome but to be aware of the rules. 


Good luck and good birding,
Vernon Howe
Riverside, CA
Subject: FINAL KERN LIST: 26-27 Sep 09 Luke Cole Memorial Challenge
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:56:00 -0700
LUKE COLE MEMORIAL CHALLENGE

Final Kern County list (165 species) reported for 26-27 September 2009:
    * Greater White-fronted Goose (continuing at Lake Ming, Bakersfield)
    * Ross's Goose (continuing at Central Park, California City)
    * Canada Goose
    * Tundra Swan (continuing at Central Park, California City)
    * Wood Duck
    * Gadwall
    * American Wigeon
    * Mallard
    * Cinnamon Teal
    * Northern Shoveler
    * Northern Pintail
    * Redhead
    * Ring-necked Duck
    * Common Merganser
    * Ruddy Duck
    * Chukar
    * Wild Turkey
    * California Quail
    * Pied-billed Grebe
    * Eared Grebe
    * Western Grebe
    * Clark's Grebe
    * American White Pelican
    * Double-crested Cormorant
    * Great Blue Heron
    * Great Egret
    * Snowy Egret
    * Cattle Egret
    * Black-crowned Night-Heron
    * White-faced Ibis
    * Turkey Vulture
    * White-tailed Kite
    * Northern Harrier
    * Sharp-shinned Hawk
    * Cooper's Hawk
    * Red-shouldered Hawk
    * Red-tailed Hawk
    * Golden Eagle
    * American Kestrel
    * Merlin
    * Virginia Rail
    * Sora
    * Common Moorhen
    * American Coot
    * Killdeer
    * Black-necked Stilt
    * American Avocet
    * Greater Yellowlegs
    * Western Sandpiper
    * Least Sandpiper
    * Baird's Sandpiper
    * Pectoral Sandpiper
    * Wilson's Phalarope
    * Red-necked Phalarope
    * Caspian Tern
    * Forster's Tern
    * Rock Pigeon
    * Band-tailed Pigeon
    * Eurasian Collared-Dove
    * Mourning Dove
    * Greater Roadrunner
    * Barn Owl
    * Great Horned Owl
    * Burrowing Owl
    * Long-eared Owl
    * Vaux's Swift
    * Black-chinned Hummingbird
    * Anna's Hummingbird
    * Costa's Hummingbird
    * Rufous Hummingbird
    * Belted Kingfisher
    * Acorn Woodpecker
    * RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (continuing from Thursday into Saturday at 
Galileo Hill)
    * Red-breasted Sapsucker
    * Ladder-backed Woodpecker
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker
    * Downy Woodpecker
    * Hairy Woodpecker
    * Northern Flicker
    * Olive-sided Flycatcher
    * Western Wood-Pewee
    * Willow Flycatcher
    * Hammond's Flycatcher
    * Dusky Flycatcher
    * Pacific-slope Flycatcher (visual + "see-ip" call)
    * Black Phoebe
    * Say's Phoebe
    * Loggerhead Shrike
    * Cassin's Vireo
    * Warbling Vireo
    * RED-EYED VIREO (photo documented Saturday at Galileo Hill)
    * Steller's Jay
    * Western Scrub-Jay
    * American Crow
    * Common Raven
    * Horned Lark
    * Tree Swallow
    * Violet-green Swallow
    * Northern Rough-winged Swallow
    * Barn Swallow
    * Mountain Chickadee
    * Oak Titmouse
    * Verdin
    * Bushtit
    * Red-breasted Nuthatch
    * White-breasted Nuthatch
    * Cactus Wren
    * Rock Wren
    * Bewick's Wren
    * House Wren
    * Marsh Wren
    * American Dipper
    * Golden-crowned Kinglet
    * Ruby-crowned Kinglet
    * Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
    * Western Bluebird
    * Swainson's Thrush
    * Hermit Thrush
    * American Robin
    * Northern Mockingbird
    * BROWN THRASHER (photo documented on weekend in Inyokern)
    * California Thrasher
    * Le Conte's Thrasher
    * European Starling
    * Cedar Waxwing
    * Orange-crowned Warbler
    * Yellow Warbler
    * BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (photo documented Saturday at Galileo Hill)
    * Yellow-rumped Warbler
    * Black-throated Gray Warbler
    * Townsend's Warbler
    * MacGillivray's Warbler
    * Common Yellowhroat
    * Wilson's Warbler
    * Yellow-breasted Chat
    * Summer Tanager (continuing at Kern River Preserve nesting grounds)
    * Western Tanager
    * Spotted Towhee
    * California Towhee
    * Chipping Sparrow
    * CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Saturday at Galileo Hill)
    * Brewer's Sparrow
    * Vesper Sparrow
    * Lark Sparrow
    * Black-throated Sparrow
    * Sage Sparrow
    * Savannah Sparrow
    * Song Sparrow
    * Lincoln's Sparrow
    * White-crowned Sparrow
    * Dark-eyed Junco
    * Black-headed Grosbeak
    * Lazuli Bunting
    * Red-winged Blackbird
    * Western Meadowlark
    * Yellow-headed Blackbird
    * Brewer's Blackbird
    * Great-tailed Grackle
    * Purple Finch
    * House Finch
    * Pine Siskin
    * Lesser Goldfinch
    * Lawrence's Goldfinch
    * American Goldfinch
    * House Sparrow
OBSERVERS: Liga Auzins, Bob Barnes, Linda Bates, Hal Benham, Brenda 
Burnett, Janis Cadwallader, Kathy Cecere, Bill Denton, Nancy Denton, 
Jeanine Dreifuss, Madi Elsea, Sharon Everett, Terri Gallion, Stan 
Gray, Andrew Howe, Vernon Howe, Linda Johnson, Ron Johnson, Sandy 
Koonce, Denise La Berteaux, Anna Marie Lea, Kelli Levinson, Mike 
Matherly, Michael McQuerrey, Terri Middlemiss, Christine Norris, Phil 
Pryde, Alison Sheehey, Jim Smith, Bob Steele, Susan Steele, Lee 
Sutton, Shirley Sutton, Al Tapia, Barb Walls, Tom Wurster,...

If anyone wishes to know specific observers for specific species, 
feel free to ask.

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California
E: bbarnes AT lightspeed.net
P: 760-382-1260


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Owens Lake Field Trip
From: Brenda Burnett <chatbird AT verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:50:19 -0700
Hi all,

The Chat just went to press, with the October 24th date for the Owens Lake
trip unchanged.
Susan Steele sent another message, saying the hunting season issue is not a
big deal for everyone. I guess safety isn't an issue. She just hates hunting
season because she says "all the birds are flying away."

Brenda


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: HELP! LAST REQUEST!!!26-27 Sep 09 Still Missing Kern Birds
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:30:35 -0700
Hi,

HELP! LAST REQUEST!!! If you experienced any birds in Kern County 
this past weekend, please review the following missing species list 
to see if you observed any of them. If you did, please send a list of 
one or more to me for inclusion in the list of species observed in 
Kern County Saturday-Sunday, September 26-27. Thank you!

It is hard to believe, but species such as BEWICK'S WREN and 
CALIFORNIA TOWHEE still have not been reported while much rarer 
species including RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, RED-EYED VIREO, BROWN THRASHER 
(photo documented in Inyokern), BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, and 
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW have been reported. THANK YOU to those of you 
who have already submitted over fifty additions to the original 
overall list. Below is the missing species list (followed by the 
reported species to this moment)...


SPECIES STILL MISSING - STILL NOT REPORTED THUS FAR (partial list):
    * several possible ducks including Green-winged Teal
    * Ring-necked Pheasant
    * Mountain Quail
    * American Bittern
    * Green Heron
    * Bald Eagle
    * Northern Goshawk
    * Golden Eagle
    * Peregrine Falcon
    * Prairie Falcon
    * Black-bellied Plover
    * Snowy Plover
    * Semipalmated Plover
    * Spotted Sandpiper
    * Solitary Sandpiper
    * Lesser Yellowlegs
    * Long-billed Curlew
    * Marbled Godwit
    * Dunlin
    * Long-billed Dowitcher
    * Wilson's Snipe
    * gulls besides California
    * Band-tailed Pigeon
    * Spotted Dove
    * Common Ground-Dove
    * owls besides Barn, Great Horned, Burrowing, and Log-eared
    * Lesser Nighthawk
    * Common Poorwill
    * White-throated Swift
    * Black-chinned Hummingbird
    * Calliope Hummingbird
    * Hairy Woodpecker
    * White-headed Woodpecker
    * Pileated Woodpecker
    * flycatchers including Gray Flycatcher & Western Kingbird
    * Hutton's Vireo
    * Pinyon Jay
    * Pygmy Nuthatch
    * Brown Creeper
    * Cactus Wren
    * Canyon Wren
    * Bewick's Wren
    * Wrentit
    * California Thrasher
    * Le Conte's Thrasher
    * American Pipit
    * Phainopepla
    * Nashville Warbler
    * Hermit Warbler
    * Green-tailed Towhee
    * California Towhee
    * Rufous-crowned Sparrow
    * Fox Sparrow
    * Blue Grosbeak
    * Lazuli Bunting
    * Tricolored Blackbird
    * Brown-headed Cowbird
    * any lingering orioles
    * Cassin's Finch
    * Red Crossbill
    * Pine Siskin
    * American Goldfinch

SPECIES REPORTED THUS FAR:
    * Greater White-fronted Goose
    * Ross's Goose
    * Canada Goose
    * Tundra Swan
    * Wood Duck
    * Gadwall
    * American Wigeon
    * Mallard
    * Cinnamon Teal
    * Northern Shoveler
    * Northern Pintail
    * Redhead
    * Ring-necked Duck
    * Common Merganser
    * Ruddy Duck
    * Chukar
    * Wild Turkey
    * California Quail
    * Pied-billed Grebe
    * Eared Grebe
    * Western Grebe
    * Clark's Grebe
    * American White Pelican
    * Double-crested Cormorant
    * Great Blue Heron
    * Great Egret
    * Snowy Egret
    * Cattle Egret
    * Black-crowned Night-Heron
    * White-faced Ibis
    * Turkey Vulture
    * White-tailed Kite
    * Northern Harrier
    * Sharp-shinned Hawk
    * Cooper's Hawk
    * Red-shouldered Hawk
    * Red-tailed Hawk
    * American Kestrel
    * Merlin
    * Virginia Rail
    * Sora
    * Common Moorhen
    * American Coot
    * Killdeer
    * Black-necked Stilt
    * American Avocet
    * Greater Yellowlegs
    * Western Sandpiper
    * Least Sandpiper
    * Baird's Sandpiper
    * Pectoral Sandpiper
    * Wilson's Phalarope
    * Red-necked Phalarope
    * Caspian Tern
    * Caspian Tern
    * Forster's Tern
    * Rock Pigeon
    * Eurasian Collared-Dove
    * Mourning Dove
    * Greater Roadrunner
    * Barn Owl
    * Great Horned Owl
    * Burrowing Owl
    * Long-eared Owl
    * Vaux's Swift
    * Anna's Hummingbird
    * Costa's Hummingbird
    * Rufous Hummingbird
    * Belted Kingfisher
    * Acorn Woodpecker
    * RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER
    * Red-breasted Sapsucker
    * Ladder-backed Woodpecker
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker
    * Downy Woodpecker
    * Northern Flicker
    * Olive-sided Flycatcher
    * Western Wood-Pewee
    * Willow Flycatcher
    * Hammond's Flycatcher
    * Dusky Flycatcher
    * Pacific-slope Flycatcher (visual + "see-ip" call)
    * Black Phoebe
    * Say's Phoebe
    * Loggerhead Shrike
    * Cassin's Vireo
    * Warbling Vireo
    * RED-EYED VIREO
    * Steller's Jay
    * Western Scrub-Jay
    * American Crow
    * Common Raven
    * Horned Lark
    * Tree Swallow
    * Violet-green Swallow
    * Northern Rough-winged Swallow
    * Barn Swallow
    * Mountain Chickadee
    * Oak Titmouse
    * Verdin
    * Bushtit
    * Red-breasted Nuthatch
    * White-breasted Nuthatch
    * Rock Wren
    * House Wren
    * Marsh Wren
    * American Dipper
    * Golden-crowned Kinglet
    * Ruby-crowned Kinglet
    * Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
    * Western Bluebird
    * Swainson's Thrush
    * Hermit Thrush
    * American Robin
    * Northern Mockingbird
    * BROWN THRASHER
    * European Starling
    * Cedar Waxwing
    * Orange-crowned Warbler
    * Yellow Warbler
    * BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
    * Yellow-rumped Warbler
    * Black-throated Gray Warbler
    * Townsend's Warbler
    * MacGillivray's Warbler
    * Common Yellowhroat
    * Wilson's Warbler
    * Yellow-breasted Chat
    * Summer Tanager
    * Western Tanager
    * Spotted Towhee
    * Chipping Sparrow
    * CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
    * Brewer's Sparrow
    * Vesper Sparrow
    * Lark Sparrow
    * Black-throated Sparrow
    * Sage Sparrow
    * Savannah Sparrow
    * Song Sparrow
    * Lincoln's Sparrow
    * White-crowned Sparrow
    * Dark-eyed Junco
    * Black-headed Grosbeak
    * Red-winged Blackbird
    * Western Meadowlark
    * Yellow-headed Blackbird
    * Brewer's Blackbird
    * Great-tailed Grackle
    * Purple Finch
    * House Finch
    * Lesser Goldfinch
    * Lawrence's Goldfinch
    * House Sparrow
Several gaps still to fill!

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California
E: bbarnes AT lightspeed.net
P: 760-382-1260


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Pectorals continue
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:14:57 -0000
Birders: For the past week, the numbers of PECTORAL SANDPIPERS have stayed at 
remarkable levels: generally, over a dozen. Today, there were 16 and yesterday 
there were 17. The Waste Water Treatment plant is at the south end of Mt. 
Vernon Ave. The BURROWING OWLS have re-established themselves in a burrow on 
the Mt. Vernon levee, after the road grading and grooming work. There is one 
strange peep in the settling ponds out front of the WWTP which I decided must 
be a Baird's. It seems a little large and has odd coloration. The primary 
extension is right, but the face pattern is strange. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: Starter List: 26-27 Sep Luke Cole Memorial Challenge
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:20:13 -0700
LUKE COLE MEMORIAL BIRDING CHALLENGE

Please review the following starter list of species seen in Kern 
County this past weekend (26-27 Sep) and email me with any and all 
species you might have observed Saturday and Sunday which can then be 
added to the Kern list total to be submitted to Luke Cole Memorial 
Birding Challenge organizers later this week. There will all but 
surely be lots of additions to the overall Kern list as the starter 
list includes only a complete list of observations by one group and a 
highlights list form a second group. See partial missing species list 
and reported observed species list below...

Thank you,.

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California
E: bbarnes AT lightspeed.net
P: 760-382-1260

MISSING - NOT REPORTED THUS FAR (partial list): several duck species, 
any quail species, Green Heron, White-faced Ibis, Cooper's Hawk, 
Swainson's Hawk, Golden Eagle, several falcon species, several 
shorebird species, several gull & tern species, Band-tailed Pigeon, 
Spotted Dove, Common Ground-Dove, several owl species, goatsuckers, 
White-throated Swift, several hummingbird species, several woodpecker 
species, several flycatcher species, several vireo species, Pinyon 
Jay, Verdin, Bushtit, Pygmy Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, any wrens other 
than Marsh Wren, Wrentit, Hermit Thrush, any thrashers, American 
Pipit, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, several warbler species, Summer 
Tanager, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, California Towhee, 
several sparrow species,  Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, 
Lazuli Bunting, Tricolored Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, 
Brown-headed Cowbird, any lingering orioles, Cassin's Finch, Red 
Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Lawrence's Goldfinch, American Goldfinch,...

REPORTED THUS FAR:
Greater White-fronted Goose
Ross's Goose
Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Chukar
Wild Turkey
Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
White-tailed Kite
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Virginia Rail
Sora
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
Greater Yellowlegs
California Gull
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Greater Roadrunner
Great Horned Owl
Burrowing Owl
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Acorn Woodpecker
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher (visual + "see-ip" call)
Black Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
RED-EYED VIREO
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Mountain Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Rock Wren
Marsh Wren
American Dipper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Western Bluebird
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Lots of gaps to fill!

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Pectoral fallout continues
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:03:28 -0000
Birders: After yesterday's report from the coast, the Bakersfield Waster Water 
Treatment plant was hosting at least 15 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, this morning. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: Birding Galileo Hill 9/24/09
From: "kbgoldennugget2" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:00:07 -0000
Today, Thursday, 9/24/09, we birded Galileo Hill and saw the following 
birds:Acorn Woodpecker(shown to us by Bob Barnes), Red-naped Sapsucker(shown to 
us by Bob Barnes), Ruby-crowned Kinglets 20+, Townsend's Solitaire 1, Cassin's 
Vireo 1, Orange-crowned Warbler 10+, Yellow Warbler 12+, Yellow-rumped 
Warbler(Audubon's) 30+, Black-throated Gray Warbler 2, Townsend's Warbler 1, 
(Bob Barnes alerted us to the fact the Black-throated Gray Warbler and the 
Townsend's Warbler were on the grounds), Wilson's Warbler 10+, Western Tanager 
1, Fox Sparrow 1, and 

White-crowned Sparrow 12+.

                          Ken and Brenda Kyle
                          Bakersfield
Subject: Pectorals
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:01:58 -0000
Birders: No Sanderlings, but 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were at the Bakersfield 
Waste Water Treatment plant, this morning. 

Michael McQuerrey
Gary File
Bakersfield, California
Subject: WWTP Sanderlings and Pectoral
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:08:56 -0000
Birders: Just a few minutes ago (noon), there were three SANDERLINGS at the 
Bakersfield Waste Water Treatment Plant. A PECTORAL SANDPIPER and 2 BAIRD'S 
SANDPIPERS were there, as well. The Sanderlings were a first for me at the 
WWTP. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: Respond offlist
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:30:34 -0000
Kerncobirders:  Please respond to Lee's question offlist.  Thank you.
Michael McQuerrey
moderator, kerncobirding
Subject: Hart Park Peacocks
From: "queenmarybakersfield" <queenmarybakersfield AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:22:51 -0000
Hi all,

Does anyone know The Story Behind the Peacocks at Hart park?
How Long Have They Been There?

Thanks Lee
Subject: Luke Cole Memorial Birding Challenge: 26-27 Sep 09
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:33:58 -0700
Hi,

The Luke Cole Memorial Birding Challenge is set for this coming 
Saturday & Sunday, 26 & 27 Sep 09. This challenge has been organized 
by Mark Eaton, Steve Glover, Alan Hopkins, and Brent Plater.

What is this challenge?
    * A goal of 400 species observed throughout California during 
this coming Saturday and Sunday...
    * A goal of finding as many species in Kern County as possible 
this coming Saturday and Sunday as part of the effort...
    * An opportunity for those who might wish to additionally make a 
pledge to support continuation of Luke Cole's non-profit work: 
http://www.markeaton.org/lukeColeChallenge.html
Early next week, I will send out my list of species seen this weekend 
in Kern County to serve as a base to which you may reply with any 
species you observe this weekend beyond those I observe. This is 
similar to the America's Birdiest County effort run each of the past 
several springs.

FYI: Birders are already going birding in at least 37 California 
counties as part of this effort.

Happy and Productive Luke Cole Memorial Challenge Birding this weekend,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Greater White-fronted Goose
From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:13:41 -0000
Birders: This morning, at Lake Ming, a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was with the 
flock of Canada Geese. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: Sa, 19 Sep 09: Galileo Hill/Silver Saddle Birding
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:23:04 -0700
Hi,

The foundation for this report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org)

Location:     Galileo Hill--Silver Saddle Ranch and Club
Observation date:     6:30am-11am, 19 Sep 09
IMPORTANT NOTES:     Split campsite cost of $100 (plus tax) among 7 
birders (plus additional person for $15). Two cars at camp site. Two 
extra cars (the 8 total people came in 4 cars from 4 different 
directions - thus the presence of two extra cars) parked in club 
house parking lot (hotel/restaurant parking lot) rather than outside 
on edge of public roads or in camp site at Silver Saddle's request 
and ok (These instructions are on the sign-in form.). We passed by 
the hotel and signed in at 8:30am and were given permits to display 
on our vehicles (two in campground, 2 in club house parking lot). 
Campsite check-in is 4pm. Campsite check-out is 12pm (Noon). BOTTOM 
LINE: Those of us who came in this morning birded from 6:30am-11am 
for $15 each. We could have birded until Noon if we had desired to do 
so. If we had purchased a second night of camping, we could have 
stayed all day today and until Noon on Sunday.

SPECIES (recorded by Bob Barnes ... additional species observed by 
others follow below):
    * Chukar     1
    * Double-crested Cormorant     1
    * Great Blue Heron     1
    * Turkey Vulture     15
    * Cooper's Hawk     1
    * Red-tailed Hawk     3
    * Spotted Sandpiper     1
    * Mourning Dove     8
    * Vaux's Swift     1
    * Belted Kingfisher     1
    * Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
    * Northern Flicker     1
    * Western Wood-Pewee     5
    * Willow Flycatcher     1
    * Black Phoebe     4
    * Say's Phoebe     2
    * Cassin's Vireo     1
    * Warbling Vireo     2
    * Common Raven     3
    * Horned Lark     300     May have been many more. Some other 
birders on site thought there were 1000, 2000, or more individuals.
    * Verdin     2
    * Rock Wren     3
    * Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     1
    * Hermit Thrush     1
    * European Starling     7
    * Phainopepla     1
    * Orange-crowned Warbler     1
    * Yellow Warbler     3
    * Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     4
    * Townsend's Warbler     1
    * Northern Waterthrush     1     Although found independently, 
this species was also seen independently by 6 other birders present. 
First found by Tom Wurster Friday afternoon and this morning by Kelli 
Levinson.
    * MacGillivray's Warbler     3
    * Common Yellowthroat     12
    * Wilson's Warbler     4
    * Yellow-breasted Chat     1
    * Western Tanager     6
    * Black-throated Sparrow     1
    * Sage Sparrow     12
    * Lincoln's Sparrow     1
    * White-crowned Sparrow     1
    * Red-winged Blackbird     1
    * Brewer's Blackbird     10
    * House Finch     54
    * Lesser Goldfinch     3
    * House Sparrow     6
Also seen during this time/day/date by one or more of the OTHER six 
birders present: California Quail, Merlin, Great Horned Owl, 
Hammond's Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Marsh 
Wren, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, 
Brewer's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird,...

NOTE: There may have been other species observed by others. The 
preceding list of bird species observed by those birders present 
other than myself is based on casual conversations. It is not based 
on going through a list with the others to identify all species not 
observed by me.

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Request from Galileo Hill/Silver Saddle Ranch & Club
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:01:05 -0700
Hi,

Just finished a phone call with a Silver Saddle representative.

No changes on birder USE of Galileo Hill/Silver Saddle Ranch and Club 
since last posting.

Still free for birder use Monday through to Friday Noon.

Still $100 per day for up to seven birders from Friday Noon through 
Sunday via reservation of a camp site.

However, to separate birders (who are welcome) from non-birder 
non-members (who will be asked to leave by Silver Saddle security any 
time found on site), please check in at the hotel office as close to 
8:30am office opening hours as possible to tell Silver Saddle staff 
you are a birder so they can tell security. If you start birding at 
dawn, please work your way over to the hotel office by 8:30am to 
check in. If you are approached by security before 8:30am, tell them 
you are a birder and that you have been asked to check in at the 
hotel office c. 8:30am and that you will do so.

The above arose because Silver Saddle realized they need a mechanism 
to identify and separate the currently welcome birders from the 
currently unwelcome non-members.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Bob Barnes
Ridgecrest, Kern County


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Galileo Hill 9/16/09
From: "kbgoldennugget2" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:22:02 -0000
 Today, Wednesday, 9/16/09, we saw the following birds at Galileo Hill: 
Cassin's Vireos(3), Warbling Vireos(12+), Orange-crowned Warblers(6+), 
Nashville Warbler(1), Yellow Warbler(8+), Yellow-rumped Warbler(Audubon's)2, 
Townsend's Warbler(1), Hermit Warbler(1), American Redstart-femalish(1), Wilson 
Warbler(6+), and Lesser Goldfinches. 


 The Cassin's Vireos were seen near the bungalows. The Townsend's Warbler, 
Hermit Warbler, and the American Redstart were seen in trees directly across 
from the hotel and they quickly moved across the road to the trees near the 
pipe waterfall. 


                       Ken and Brenda Kyle
                       Bakersfield
Subject: Kern's S Sierra 11-13 Sep 09
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:58:31 -0700
Hi,

11-13 Sep 09 was part of a continuing effort to visit a wide array of 
sites in the Kern River Valley and Southern Sierra Nevada region at 
least once each month during the calendar year regardless of 
pre-conceived birding quality.

COMMENTS:
    * MOUNTAIN QUAIL continued to be noisy and, therefore, able to be found...
    * TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES in numbers in the Greenhorn Mountains...
    * WARBLERS not singing, but chipping more vociferously than any 
previous visits in 2009...
    * GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES still present in the Greenhorn Mountains...
    * Overall DIVERSITY and NUMBERS of individuals appears to remain 
strong in the Greenhorns Mountains...
    * ISABELLA RESERVOIR continues to add diversity to area visits...
    * WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES just about gone for "winter"...
    * COMMON YELLOWTHROATS (absent during "winter" months) present in 
abundance...
    * Five total SUMMER TANAGERS at three Kern River Preserve 
locations... Last individuals usually detected into the first ten 
days of October...
    * HUMMINGBIRD NUMBERS remained strong at Kern River Preserve 
Headquarters feeders ... Numbers "should drop off the table" in the 
next few days...
    * Diversity (51 species) and numbers of individuals remained 
strong along Kern River Preserve's SIERRA WAY...
    * RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER continuing (from 2 Aug 09) in willows at 
Kern River Preserve's Prince's Pond...
    * At least two MARSH WRENS at Prince's Pond... Perhaps first to 
return for "winter" season... NOTE: This species has not  been found 
years in the Kern River Valley during June, July, and August...
    * Only one BLUE GROSBEAK detected in two days of surveys in prime 
nesting areas. Clearly, most have moved out for the winter .
    * GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES appear to have left for the "winter" from 
their Prince's Pond nesting area...
    * COMMON POORWILL still calling spontaneously along Sawmill Road 
in the Greenhorn Mountains.
    * Expected & Missed: Barn Owl, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Purple Finch
The following five*** reports are based on those generated 
automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/)... 
***Greenhorn Mountains--FS 24S15; Isabella Reservoir--Kissack Cove; 
Kern River Preserve--Fay Ranch Road; Kern River 
Preserve--Headquarters; Kern River Preserve--Sierra Way...

Location:     Greenhorn Mountains--FS 24S15 (Greenhorn Summit to Tulare Co)
Observation time/day/date:     8am-10:30am, Friday, 9/11/09
Notes: 70.7F-75.6F; 33%-26% humidity; high thin clouds; 6 miles of FS 
24S15 from CA Hwy. 155 at Greenhorn Summit (6102') north for 6 miles 
to the Kern County/Tulare County line (7060');...
Species:     31
    * Mountain Quail     5
    * Mourning Dove     1
    * Acorn Woodpecker     3
    * Hairy Woodpecker     1
    * White-headed Woodpecker     2
    * Northern Flicker     1
    * Warbling Vireo     1
    * Steller's Jay     28
    * Western Scrub-Jay     5
    * Violet-green Swallow     3
    * Mountain Chickadee     31
    * Red-breasted Nuthatch     16
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     6
    * House Wren     1
    * Western Bluebird     16
    * Townsend's Solitaire     9
    * American Robin     3
    * Wrentit     1
    * Orange-crowned Warbler     1
    * Yellow-rumped Warbler     4
    * Black-throated Gray Warbler     5
    * MacGillivray's Warbler     5
    * Wilson's Warbler     1
    * warbler sp.     7 (chips notes of all suggesting Townsend's, 
Hermit, and/or Black-throated Gray)
    * Western Tanager     1
    * Green-tailed Towhee     3
    * Spotted Towhee     2
    * Fox Sparrow     4
    * Dark-eyed Junco     27
    * Black-headed Grosbeak     3
    * House Finch     1
    * Pine Siskin     1

Location:     Isabella Reservoir--Kissack Cove
Observation time/day/date:     6pm-6:45pm, Friday, 9/11/09
Species:     12
    * Western Grebe     1
    * Clark's Grebe     1
    * Western/Clark's Grebe     160
    * American White Pelican     56
    * Double-crested Cormorant     12
    * Great Blue Heron     8
    * Prairie Falcon     1
    * Long-billed Curlew     1
    * California Gull     11
    * Caspian Tern     8
    * Common Raven     38
    * Horned Lark     78

Location:     Kern River Preserve--Fay Ranch Road
Observation time/day/date:     6:05am-8:30am, Saturday, 9/12/09
Notes:     57F-73.3F; 59%-45% humidity; 1.25 mile walk along Fay 
Ranch Road north from CA Hwy 178;...
Species:     39
    * Mallard     6
    * California Quail     58     41 in one covey
    * Red-shouldered Hawk     2
    * Red-tailed Hawk     2
    * American Kestrel     2
    * Killdeer     1
    * Mourning Dove     6
    * Great Horned Owl     1
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     8
    * Downy Woodpecker     2
    * Hairy Woodpecker     1
    * Northern Flicker     5
    * Western Wood-Pewee     1
    * Empidonax sp.     1     Heard only ... "whitting" individual
    * Black Phoebe     5
    * Say's Phoebe     3
    * Loggerhead Shrike     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     4
    * Common Raven     11
    * Horned Lark     2
    * Oak Titmouse     2
    * Bushtit     1
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     1
    * Bewick's Wren     8
    * Western Bluebird     1
    * European Starling     18
    * Yellow Warbler     1
    * Common Yellowthroat     18
    * Summer Tanager     1
    * Spotted Towhee     1
    * Lark Sparrow     1
    * Savannah Sparrow     2
    * Song Sparrow     24
    * Black-headed Grosbeak     1
    * Western Meadowlark     6
    * Brewer's Blackbird     19
    * House Finch     33
    * Lesser Goldfinch     15
    * House Sparrow     1

Location:     Kern River Preserve--Headquarters
Observation time/day/date:     9:25am-10:10am, Saturday, 12 Sep 09
Species:     16
    * California Quail     11
    * American Kestrel     1
    * Mourning Dove     1
    * Anna's Hummingbird     23     At six feeders at two 
Headquarters feeding stations... Based on prior years, this number 
reflects the tip of the iceberg.
    * Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird     5     At six feeders at two 
Headquarters feeding stations...  Based on prior years, this number 
reflects the tip of the iceberg.
    * Northern Flicker     2
    * Black Phoebe     2
    * Say's Phoebe     1
    * Common Raven     3
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     1
    * Bewick's Wren     1
    * Western Bluebird     4
    * Summer Tanager     2     Both singing...
    * Song Sparrow     8
    * House Finch     7
    * Lesser Goldfinch     18

Location:     Kern River Preserve--Sierra Way
Observation time/day/date:     5:55am-8:50am, Sunday, 13 Sep 09
Notes:     49.3F-67.4F; 67%-54% humidity;...
Species:     51
    * Wood Duck     4
    * Mallard     3
    * Ring-necked Pheasant     1
    * Pied-billed Grebe     1
    * Great Blue Heron     1
    * Turkey Vulture     1
    * Northern Harrier     1
    * Red-shouldered Hawk     3
    * Red-tailed Hawk     1
    * American Kestrel     2
    * Virginia Rail     1
    * Sora     1
    * American Coot     1
    * Mourning Dove     1
    * Western Screech-Owl     2
    * Great Horned Owl     4
    * Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird     1
    * Red-breasted Sapsucker     1     Within a few feet of 2 Aug 09 
observation...
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     5
    * Downy Woodpecker     3
    * Hairy Woodpecker     1
    * Northern Flicker     2
    * Western Wood-Pewee     1
    * Black Phoebe     6
    * Loggerhead Shrike     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     2
    * Common Raven     5
    * Tree Swallow     4
    * Oak Titmouse     3
    * Bushtit     29
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     2
    * Bewick's Wren     8
    * House Wren     1
    * Marsh Wren     2
    * Western Bluebird     8
    * European Starling     54     Majority were in a single flock 
flying out from Prince's Pond.
    * Orange-crowned Warbler     2
    * Yellow Warbler     1
    * Common Yellowthroat     33     Still abundant.
    * Summer Tanager     2     Calling from two different directions. 
Then both flew over within a few seconds of each other from the same 
direction.
    * Spotted Towhee     1
    * Lark Sparrow     11
    * Song Sparrow     48
    * Black-headed Grosbeak     1
    * Blue Grosbeak     1     Only one detected in two days of 
surveys in prime nesting areas. Clearly, most have moved out for the winter .
    * Lazuli Bunting     1
    * Red-winged Blackbird     656     Fly-out from Prince's Pond
    * Western Meadowlark     3
    * Brewer's Blackbird     5
    * House Finch     9
    * Lesser Goldfinch     11

Additional species observed elsewhere in Kern River Valley area 11-13 Sep 09:
    * White-tailed Kite (1) - 12 Sep 09 - Kern River Preserve--East Unit
    * Eurasian Collared-Dove - 13 Sep 09 - Southlake
    * Greater Roadrunner (1) - 13 Sep 09 - Southlake
    * Common Poorwill (1) - 7:30pm, 11 Sep 09 - Greenhorn 
Mountains--Sawmill Road
    * Canyon Wren (1) - 7:15pm, 11 Sep 09 - Greenhorn Mountains--Sawmill Road
    * Northern Mockingbird (1) - 11 Sep 09 - Southlake
    * Chipping Sparrow (4) - 11 Sep 09 - Greenhorn Mountains--FS 25S17 West

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: 09/09/09: Inyokern--Middlemiss Property
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:09:48 -0700
TIME/DAY/DATE: 6:45am-9am, Wednesday, September 9, 2009;
LOCATION: Middlemiss property in Inyokern;
GPS: N 35 42' 24.8", W 117 50' 53.6"; ELEVATION: 2340';
TEMPERATURE: 61.2F-81F; HUMIDITY: 37%-24%; WIND: 0;
OBSERVER: Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California;
MIGRANTS: Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird 2, Warbling Vireo 2, 
Orange-crowned Warbler 1, Western Tanager 3, Black-headed Grosbeak 1, 
Lazuli Bunting 1, Bullock's Oriole 1; HIGHLIGHTS: Costa's Hummingbird 
2, Verdin 4, Le Conte's Thrasher 1;...
NOTE: See note below following list...
SPECIES:     22
    * California Quail     79
    * Cooper's Hawk     1 female
    * Eurasian Collared-Dove     19
    * Mourning Dove     11
    * Anna's Hummingbird     2 males
    * Costa's Hummingbird     2 (male & female)
    * Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird     2
    * Warbling Vireo     2
    * Common Raven     6
    * Verdin     4
    * Northern Mockingbird     6
    * Le Conte's Thrasher     1
    * European Starling     3
    * Orange-crowned Warbler     1
    * Western Tanager     3
    * Black-headed Grosbeak     1
    * Lazuli Bunting     1
    * Brown-headed Cowbird     6
    * Bullock's Oriole     1
    * House Finch     47
    * Lesser Goldfinch     3
    * House Sparrow     100
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

NOTE: After leaving the Middlemiss property a drive and bird trip was 
made up 9 Mile Canyon Road in Inyo County, then along Kennedy Meadows 
Road and Beach Meadows Road in Tulare County. 9 Mile produced Chukar, 
White-headed Woodpecker, and Pinyon Jay. Beach Meadows Road produced 
Pinyon Jay (28), Clark's Nutcracker (5 total in four locations), and 
Pygmy Nuthatch (16 including 9 in one location).

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: 9/8/09: Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway--Kern Co.
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:58:08 -0700
TIME/DAY/DATE: 6:50am-9:50am, Tuesday, September 8, 2009;
LOCATION: Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway--Kern County; GPS: 
N 35 44' 55.7", W 118 06' 44.7" (at CA Hwy 178), N 35 47' 16.4", W 
118 04' 19.0" (at county line at Lamont Peak Trail trailhead);
ELEVATION: 3285'-5530';
SKY: Cloudless; TEMPERATURE: 57.4F-70F; HUMIDITY: 53%-39%; WIND: 
0-6.5 kph; HIGHLIGHTS: Chukar, Band-tailed Pigeon, Calliope 
Hummingbird, California Thrasher return,...
NOT DETECTED: Western Wood-Pewee, Black-throated Sparrow, Scott's Oriole
NOTE: See below after following list...
SPECIES:     25
    * Chukar     4
    * California Quail     3
    * Band-tailed Pigeon     9     Single flock
    * Mourning Dove     3
    * Anna's Hummingbird     1
    * Calliope Hummingbird     1     New for this area ... nearest 
known nesting season area is along Chimney Creek in Chimney Creek 
Campground c. 5 air miles to the north;...
    * Acorn Woodpecker     1
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     2
    * Hairy Woodpecker     1
    * Say's Phoebe     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     14
    * Oak Titmouse     1
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     2
    * Cactus Wren     1
    * Rock Wren     4
    * Canyon Wren     2
    * Bewick's Wren     6
    * Wrentit     2
    * California Thrasher     3     Detected for the first time in 
two years in this formerly occupied area.
    * Wilson's Warbler     1     In willows at "spring" c. 2 miles up 
from CA Hwy 178...
    * Spotted Towhee     2
    * California Towhee     9
    * Lark Sparrow     1
    * Sage Sparrow     32     Including 19 counted working their way 
north up canyon just before Tulare County line ... the second time 
this year this movement has been noted at this location...
    * House Finch     8
This report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

NOTE: Continued 5 miles to Chimney Peak CG in southeastern Tulare 
County where highlights were 4 Mountain Quail, 2 Plumbeous Vireos 
still present & singing, and 17 warblers seen in three small groups 
over one mile of campground road (3 Orange-crowned Warblers, 5 
Nashville Warblers, 3 Black-throated Gray Warblers, 2 McGillivray's 
Warblers, 4 Wilson's Warblers). Gray Flycatcher was not detected.

Five more Black-throated Gray Warblers were seen alongside the Byway 
above the campground and two Golden Eagles were over 9 Mile Canyon 
Road in Inyo County.

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: subadult Bald Eagle at Isabella Reservoir
From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:13:52 -0700
Hi Birders,

I and a friend observed a subadult Bald Eagle flying over the South Fork 
of Isabella Reservoir at 3:25 p.m. this afternoon.

The bird was fairly distant so I couldn't pick up the condition of the 
plumage, but the head was mostly white with some mottled dark and the 
tail feathers were mostly white with one or two brown retrix left.

The underwing was mostly mottled.

The bird was observed from Sierra Way at the large turnout north of 
Robinson Cove. It flew from fairly well out in the reservoir close to 
the Lime Dyke towards Kissack Bay where it turned west heading toward 
the dam. Unfortunately, it disappeared before I could return with my 
camera.

I had a report from Steve Anderson the other day of his observing an 
adult Bald Eagle (which this bird perched might look like) in the North 
Fork Kern last week.

Good birding,

Ali Sheehey
Subject: Only one Pectoral
From: "macbirder1" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:49:50 -0000
Birders: After the onslaught yesterday, there was only one PECTORAL SANDPIPER 
at the Bakersfield Wastewater Treatment plant, this morning. There were at 
least 4 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS. Two hours of scanning, and scanning, and scanning, 
the Pectoral was discovered ten minutes before I left. Ugh. Bleary-eyed. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield
Subject: Birding Galileo Hill 9/2/09
From: kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 22:20:39 EDT
Today, Wednesday, 9/2/09, we birded Galileo Hill.  We saw the following 
birds:Warbling Vireo(12), Cassin's Vireo(1), Wilson's  Warbler(15), Yellow 
Warbler(6+), Black-throated Gray Warbler(2), Orange-crowned  Warbler(1), 
MacGillivray's Warbler(1), Common Yellowthroat, and Western Tanager(5). Most of 

these birds were seen across from the main hotel.
 
                                                             Ken and Brenda 
Kyle
                                                            Bakersfield
 
**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222846709x1201493018/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd 

=JulystepsfooterNO115)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Some Final Thoughts on August
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:16:04 -0700
Hi,

Just received an email from a kerncobirding subscriber asking about 
what on my target list was NOT seen (and where) during August 2009 in 
the search for species to add to that month's Kern County list. But, first...

To find out what species were reported to eBird during any week 
(roughly) in any month in 2009 go to the California eBird web site:
http://ebird.org/content/ca/

To get Kern County information for any or all months in 2009, go to 
the Kern link in the section entitled "Most Checklists Submitted for 
Current Month" on the right side of this CA eBird home page. One does 
not have to be a subscriber to access this information. It is 
accessible to all who care to visit.

Regarding he email comment/inquiry, following below are 18 species I 
expected, consciously tried for, but missed in Kern County during 
August 2009 (and, in some cases July, or June and July). Of course. 
it is realized that many, if not all, of the following species may 
have been observed by others in Kern County during this time period 
and not submitted to the eBird database...

15 out of 31 days birded in August 2009
MISSED IN AUGUST...
Common Merganser* (Isabella Reservoir and Kern River above and below)
Prairie Falcon* (everywhere including specific searches for this species)
Owls (any from among Flammulated*, Spotted*, or Northern Saw-whet*)
White-throated Swift* (Seemed like biggest miss ... in June, July, and August!)
Gray Flycatcher** (Piute Mtns)
Brown-crested Flycatcher** (Kelso Creek Sanctuary)
Cassin's Kingbird* (Lake Ming in Bakersfield)
Cassin's Vireo* (Greenhorn Mtns or on the move)
Hutton's Vireo (Greenhorn Mtns)
Winter Wren (at late July Alta Sierra-Greenhorn Mtns location)
Hermit Warbler** (Greenhorn Mtns)
Yellow-breasted Chat** (Kern River Preserve)
Brewer's Sparrow** (moving about or in known nesting area in Piute Mtns)
Yellow-headed Blackbird** (San Joaquin Valley floor)
Cassin's Finch (Greenhorn Mtns and Piute Mtns)
Red Crossbill* (Greenhorn Mtns and Piute Mtns)

*Missed in June and July, too
**Missed in July, too

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Su, 30 Aug 09 Kern San Joaquin Valley
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:01:56 -0700
Hi,

Alison Sheehey and I carpooled from the Kern River Valley to a deeply 
stiring memorial event for Like Cole in Delano Sunday afternoon. We 
found Rob Hansen and Jeff Seay there as well.

We spent the birding our way to the above via several locations on 
the San Joaquin Valley floor of Kern County.

A Greater White-fronted Goose continued at Lake Ming in the company 
of a flock of 16 Canada Geese.

Hart Park had a male Ring-necked Duck first found by Alison. Three 
Belted Kingifishers were the first of this species to be reported to 
eBird in August.

Union Cemetery produced one calling Spotted Dove.

A flock of 17 Swainson's Hawks were in and over a just being cut 
alfalfa field alongside the south side Hwy 46 west of Wasco between 
Wildwood Rd and McKibben Road.

While this spring and summer's Ruddy Ducks and White-faced Ibis were 
undetected on Kern National Wildlife Refuge the reintroduction of 
water in past days  had already attracted 100s (1000s?) of Northern 
Pintails plus various numbers of Gadwall, American Wigeon,  Mallard, 
Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, and Redhead.

A Nuttall's Woodpecker was in he same group of trees where one was 
found in early May. Three Greater Roadrunners were seen along the 
Auto Tour Route at the refuge.

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County
Subject: Sa, 29 Aug 09 Common Poorwills Galore & More
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:33:09 -0700
Hi,

Spent all day and part of the night on Saturday, August 29 searching 
the Kern River Valley and Greenhorn Mountains for bird species not 
yet reported via eBird in Kern County during August 2009 while 
tallying other species and numbers along the way for eBird data entry.

Added White-tailed Kite, Sora, Western Screech-Owl, Common Poorwill, 
Townsend's Warbler, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow to the August Kern list.

Started at Canebrake Ecological Reserve where the highlights were: 9 
Virginia Rails (2 visual), 1 Sora, 1 Barn Owl , 1 Western Screech-Owl 
(my 1st for this location), 4 Wrentits (2 from new specific 
locations), and a roost of 450 Tricolored Blackbirds (counted during 
morning flyout).

Next up was Fay Ranch Road and an off-limits portion of the Kern 
River Preserve where the highlights were two White-tailed Kites, an 
Acorn Woodpecker in an unexpected location, and a flock of 25 Horned 
Larks foraging in a pasture (my first for this location).

Paul's Place produced the first Bewick's Wren for that location.

Then it was off to the Greenhorn Mountains where highlights were: 1 
immature Golden Eagle, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Golden-crowned 
Kinglet, 6 Townsend's Solitaires, and a mixed flock of 12 Mountain 
Chickadees, 6 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Nashville Warbler, 1 
Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Black-throated Warbler, 1 Townsend's 
Warbler, 1 Wilson's Warbler, and 2 Dark-eyed Juncos.

After 2 hours off from the 100F heat Isabella Reservoir's Kissack 
Cove (right below the community of Mountain Mesa) produced 36 
American White Pelicans.

Then it was off to 10.2 mile long Sawmill Road (leading west off CA 
Hwy 155 from the west shore of Isabella Reservoir to the north to 
south crest of the Greenhorn Mountains) for the late afternoon, 
evening, and night where highlights were 11 Common Poorwills (1 
visual)!, 148 Violet-green Swallows, and 2 Rufous-crowned Sparrows.

Owling along Sawmill Road was a bust this time around as neither 
Spotted Owls nor Saw-whet Owls were detected nor any lingering 
Flammulated Owls.

Full context follows...


The foundations of the following reports were generated automatically 
by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/)...


TIME/DAY/DATE: 6am-7:45am, Saturday, August 29, 2010; LOCATION: 
California Department of Fish & Game Canebrake Ecological Reserve, 4 
mi. east of Onyx, Kern County, California; GPS: N 35 43' 34.4", W 118 
10' 09.5"; ELEVATION: 2850'; TEMPERATURE: 57F-64.2F; HUMIDITY: 
47%-48%; WIND: 1.2-4.5 kph; PURPOSE: The purpose of the visit was to 
survey for Sora which had not been reported from the Kern River 
Valley and surrounding Southern Sierra Nevada during this summer nesting season
Species:     34
    * Mallard     22
    * California Quail     1
    * Red-shouldered Hawk     2
    * Virginia Rail     9     2 visual, 4 voluntarily calling, then 3 
more in response to Sora recorded vocalization.
    * Sora     1     Responded at 7:28am to recorded Sora 
vocalization ... Several inconclusive short utterances eventually 
followed by one full whinney call.
    * American Coot     2
    * Mourning Dove     5
    * Barn Owl     1     Visual - flushed from red willow strip
    * Western Screech-Owl     1     First time for this 
location...Called numerous times during twilight.
    * Anna's Hummingbird     3
    * hummingbird sp.     1
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     4
    * Hairy Woodpecker     1
    * Northern Flicker     2
    * Black Phoebe     4
    * Western Scrub-Jay     6
    * Common Raven     1
    * Oak Titmouse     3
    * Bushtit     20
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     1
    * Rock Wren     1
    * Bewick's Wren     7
    * Western Bluebird     5
    * American Robin     1
    * Wrentit     4     Most number of individuals recorded for this 
location. Two were in new locations.
    * European Starling     5
    * Common Yellowthroat     11
    * Spotted Towhee     1
    * California Towhee     2
    * Song Sparrow     12
    * Red-winged Blackbird     1
    * Tricolored Blackbird     450     Roosting at pond. They were so 
noisy with their awful, wonderful "Waaaah" calls that only one 
Red-winged Blackbird call could be heard within the din. Count of 
individuals was made when the morning flyout took place ... several 
flocks of 25+ individuals...
    * House Finch     1
    * Lesser Goldfinch     1


TIME/DAY/DATE: 8:05am-8:30am, Saturday, August 29, 2009; LOCATION: 
Fay Ranch Road, South Fork (Kern River Valley), Weldon, Kern County, 
California; GPS: N 35 39' 57.7", W 118 17' 23.7"; ELEVATION: 2661'; 
PURPOSE: Searching for White-tailed Kite for August; HIGHLIGHTS: 
Acorn Woodpecker (in riparian forest at bridge), Horned Lark (first 
time detected at this location);...
Species:     20
    * California Quail     1
    * Turkey Vulture     1
    * Red-tailed Hawk     2
    * American Kestrel     2     A pair
    * Mourning Dove     1
    * Acorn Woodpecker     1
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
    * Downy Woodpecker     1
    * Northern Flicker     2
    * Western Wood-Pewee     1
    * Loggerhead Shrike     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     1
    * Common Raven     1
    * Horned Lark     25     First time at this location
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     1
    * Western Bluebird     2
    * Common Yellowthroat     1
    * Lark Sparrow     3
    * Song Sparrow     3
    * House Finch     3


TIME/DAY/DATE: 8:30am-8:45am, Saturday, August 29, 2009; LOCATION: 
Kern River Preserve--East Unit, South Fork (Kern River) Valley, 
Weldon Kern County, California; GPS: N 35 40' 42.0", W 118 16' 40.7"; 
ELEVATION: 2670'; PURPOSE: To secure August 2009 White-tailed Kite 
record in Kern County;...
Species:     10
    * White-tailed Kite     2 together
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
    * Downy Woodpecker     1
    * Hairy Woodpecker     1
    * Black Phoebe     1
    * Loggerhead Shrike     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     1
    * Song Sparrow     2
    * House Finch     31
    * Lesser Goldfinch     2


Location:     Mountain Mesa--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     8/29/09
Species:     4
    * Western/Clark's Grebe     2
    * American White Pelican     36
    * Double-crested Cormorant     12
    * Great Blue Heron     4


Location:     Greenhorn Mountains--FS 25S17 West
PURPOSE: Searching unsuccessfully for August 2009 Northern Goshawk 
and Pileated Woodpecker record for Kern County
Species:     5
    * Steller's Jay     1
    * Mountain Chickadee     3
    * Red-breasted Nuthatch     2
    * Townsend's Solitaire     1
    * Dark-eyed Junco     4


TIME/DAY/DATE: 10:40am-12pm, Saturday, August 29, 2009; LOCATION: 
Forest Service Road 24S15 (Greenhorn Summit to Kern County/Tulare 
County line), Greenhorn Mountains, Sequoia National Forest, Kern 
County, California; GPS (at CA Hwy 155): N 35 44' 19.8", W 118 33' 
22.6; ELEVATION: 6102'-7060'; PURPOSE: Searching for montane species 
not yet found in August 2009; HIGHLIGHTS: 1 immature Golden Eagle, 1 
Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5 Townsend's 
Solitaires, five warbler species (Nashville, Yellow-rumped, 
Black-throated Gray, Townsend's, Wilson) in mixed flock with 12 
Mountain Chickadees, 6 Red-breasted Nuthatches, and 2 Dark-eyed Juncos.
Species:     23
    * Golden Eagle     1
    * hummingbird sp.     1
    * Acorn Woodpecker     2
    * Pileated Woodpecker     1     0.5 mi. n. of Greenhorn Summit
    * Steller's Jay     16
    * Western Scrub-Jay     6
    * Mountain Chickadee     20
    * Red-breasted Nuthatch     14
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     1
    * Golden-crowned Kinglet     1
    * Western Bluebird     6
    * Townsend's Solitaire     5
    * American Robin     2
    * Nashville Warbler (Western)     1
    * Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     1
    * Black-throated Gray Warbler     1
    * Townsend's Warbler     1     Fall migrant in female plumage in 
a mixed flock consisting of 12 Mountain Chickadees, 6 Red-breasted 
Nuthatches, 1 Nashville Warbler, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 
Black-throated Gray Warbler, the subject Townsend's Warbler itself, 1 
Wilson's Warbler, and 2 Dark-eyed Juncos.
    * MacGillivray's Warbler     2
    * Wilson's Warbler     1
    * Western Tanager     1
    * Dark-eyed Junco     4
    * Black-headed Grosbeak     2
    * Purple Finch     1


Location:     Mountain Mesa--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     8/29/09
Species:     4
    * Western/Clark's Grebe     2
    * American White Pelican     36
    * Double-crested Cormorant     12
    * Great Blue Heron     4


TIME/DAY/DATE: 6:15pm-9:30pm, Saturday, August 29, 2009; LOCATION: 
Sawmill Road off west side of CA Hwy 155, Greenhorn Mountains, Kern 
County, California; PURPOSE: To search for species not yet reported 
for Kern County in August 2009. HIGHLIGHTS: 11 Common Poorwills (1 
visual), 148 Violet-green Swallows, 2 Rufous-crowned Sparrows;...
Species:     14
    * California Quail     2
    * Mourning Dove     3
    * Great Horned Owl     1
    * Common Poorwill     11     One visual plus ten others heard 
along a 2-3 mile stretch of Sawmill Road from 7:40pm-8:10pm. Sawmill 
Road is a known road to take visiting birders to find Common 
Poorwill. But, this total of 11 individuals is the highest number 
recorded for this road on a single evening, far surpassing the prior 
high of 6 individuals (all of which were seen) on one evening.
    * Western Scrub-Jay     6
    * Common Raven     2
    * Violet-green Swallow     148     All flying up canyon into the 
Greenhorns while waiting at the first Common Poorwill spot 3.1 mi. 
west up Sawmill Road from CA Hwy 155.
    * Oak Titmouse     1
    * Canyon Wren     1
    * Wrentit     4
    * California Thrasher     1
    * Spotted Towhee     3
    * California Towhee     8
    * Rufous-crowned Sparrow     2     Two individuals ... one each 
side of Sawmill Road 0.7 mi. west up Sawmill Road from CA Hwy 155. A 
known location provided  by N John Schmitt...

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: 2 Pectorals and a Willet
From: "macbirder1" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:12:28 -0000
Birders: This is at least the fifth day the two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS have been 
at the WWTP, south of Bakersfield (have no idea where the third one went after 
that first day). I found a WILLET along the shoreline of one of the big ponds, 
today, too. The number of BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS has increased impressively. I 
didn't count, but there were certainly a dozen or more in one of the front 
settling ponds. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: No change, WWTP Pectorals, etc.
From: "macbirder1" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:19:17 -0000
Birders:  The same birds were almost in the same spots, this morning.
Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: WWTP Pectorals and Baird's
From: "macbirder1" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:56:06 -0000
Birders: 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and at least 4 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were among the 
many shorebirds at the Bakersfield Waste Water Treatment Plant this morning. 
The Bairds' were being very pugnacious with the other peeps. There were also 2 
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: WWTP Pectoral Sandpipers
From: "macbirder1" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:58:07 -0000
Birders: Daily trips to the Bakersfield Waste Water Treatment Plant, finally 
paid off: 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. There are settling ponds in the front of the 
plant, and one of those has been the center of activity for shorebirds. Of the 
four ponds with water, this one is the northwest pond. Also present were 3 
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, and 1 BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield, California
Subject: 25 Aug 09 California City Birding
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:56:12 -0700
6am-8:45am, We, 25 Aug 09
California City's Central Park, eastern Kern County

The multi-year presence of Ross's Goose and Tundra Swan continued. 
Hummingbird numbers were likely much higher than reported, but 
pinning many down to species was difficult based on observation of 
frenetic zipping about. There was a presence of a variety of 
migrants, though not overly impressive.

What was even more noticeable was the absence of Yellow-headed 
Blackbirds and Great-tailed Grackles along with any from among many 
often seen other species (e.g.: Ruddy Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, 
Belted Kingfisher). Matt Heindel's Birds of Eastern Kern County 
(accessible via the Kern County section of the always excellent Joe 
Morlan's California Birding Pages - 
http://fog.ccsf.org/~jmorlan/eastkern.pdf) suggests the 
likely/possible absence of Yellow-headed Blackbirds in late August. I 
do not know the reason for the absence  of Great-tailed Grackles.

Species & Numbers List:
    * Ross's Goose     1
    * Tundra Swan     1
    * Mallard     10 (Lots of obvious domestic ducks. Hard to tell 
which of the "pure" looking Mallards were truly wild. Ten is an 
estimate out of dozens of ducks).
    * Pied-billed Grebe     2
    * Great Blue Heron     1
    * American Kestrel     1
    * American Coot     6
    * Killdeer     12
    * Eurasian Collared-Dove     6
    * Mourning Dove     5
    * Lesser Nighthawk     1
    * Black-chinned Hummingbird     1
    * Anna's Hummingbird     2
    * Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird     1
    * hummingbird sp.     4
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     1     Messy and large amount of red on 
crown, black upper back, sparse spotting on tail edges (1-2 spots per 
side), Nuttall's call...
    * Western Wood-Pewee     1
    * Willow Flycatcher     1
    * Black Phoebe     4
    * Say's Phoebe     1
    * Western Kingbird     1
    * Warbling Vireo     4
    * Common Raven     4
    * Horned Lark     12
    * European Starling     71
    * Orange-crowned Warbler     2
    * Black-throated Gray Warbler     1
    * MacGillivray's Warbler     1
    * Common Yellowthroat     3
    * Western Tanager     9
    * Lark Sparrow     24
    * Black-headed Grosbeak     7
    * Red-winged Blackbird     1
    * Brewer's Blackbird     4
    * Brown-headed Cowbird     26
    * House Finch     7
    * House Sparrow     2
A portion of this report was generated automatically by eBird 
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: re: clarifications on Silver Saddle
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:44:14 -0700
Cliff, et.al:

Kelli did a great job. She got the ball rolling by sending out the 
officially approved e-mail  from Silver Saddle/Galileo staff. It was 
not the place of the first notice (the one from Silver Saddle staff 
and passed on to you by Kelli) to present in any way other than the 
approved Silver Saddle announcement. Once that first announcement 
went out, seeking clarification from Silver Saddle based on listserv 
subscribers comments/questions seemed logical.

Necessity is the mother of invention.
Every obstacle presents an opportunity.
And especially for us birders ... The phoenix shall rise out of the ashes.

Fingers crossed,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California


At 08:48 PM 8/25/2009, Clifford Hawley wrote:
>Wow, thanks Bob. That is a lot different than how I was reading it. These
>seem like completely reasonable requests where previously it sounded as
>though birders weren't allowed anywhere but the campsite area. Whew. Glad
>to know one of the best birding spots in the state isn't ruined. Good
>birding.
>
>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]
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: re: clarifications on Silver Saddle
From: Clifford Hawley <yellowhammerCA AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:48:45 -0700
Wow, thanks Bob.  That is a lot different than how I was reading it.  These
seem like completely reasonable requests where previously it sounded as
though birders weren't allowed anywhere but the campsite area.  Whew.  Glad
to know one of the best birding spots in the state isn't ruined.  Good
birding.

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: Re: Some Clarifications on Silver Saddle (Galileo Hill)
From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:02:56 -0700
Bob

Thank you for an amazingly comprehensive report on Galileo and for 
talking with the staff on our behalf.

It it now completely clear on what is expected.

Ali Sheehey
Weldon, CA
www.natureali.org
Subject: Some Clarifications on Silver Saddle (Galileo Hill)
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:29:27 -0700
Hi,

Hopeful of addressing questions which came up from some of you in 
response to Kelli Heindel-Levinson's posting on new access guidelines 
for Silver Saddle Ranch & Club (AKA Galileo Hill), following are 
clarifications obtained from Silver Saddle staff this afternoon. A 
the end of this message, an example is given to personalize all this 
by giving a brief account of how I envision the policy change impacts me.
    * Birders are welcome to bird the entire Silver Saddle grounds 
during daylight hours all day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and 
Thursday, and up until Noon on Friday at no charge. This includes all 
areas where birding has been conducted in the past (e.g.: hotel 
courtyard, RV park area, pitch-and-putt golf course area, etc.)
    * It is the interior of buildings (e.g.: hotel) which are now off 
limits all days of the week, along with rental of RV spaces. Only 
campsites are still available for reservation (all seven days of the 
week) for non-member use. The restrooms around the property (aside 
from the one in the hotel) are available for use as always. 
Picnicking is restricted to any of the plentiful picnic tables on 
site or inside personal vehicles.
    * Birding on the weekend (Friday Noon until the crack of dawn on 
Monday) is restricted to those who pay for a campsite.
    * Campsites are $45 per night Monday night through Thursday night 
and $100 per night Friday night through Sunday night
    * Campsite limits per site are 2 cars, 7 people, 2 large tents 
(or 4 small tents). Thus, a group of 7 people could pay for a 
campsite at $14.30 each per weekend night and use the site for 
parking, picnicking, and camping. It is assumed if people wish to pay 
for a campsite, but stay in a motel in Mojave at night, that is their 
choice. BOTTOM LINE: The result is a "de facto" daily weekend use fee 
based on dividing the $100 campsite fee by the number of people up to seven.
    * On weekends, registered campers may bird the entire grounds as 
in the past (e.g.: hotel courtyard, RV park area, etc.)
    * The only non-members/birders who may bird Silver Saddle on the 
weekends are those who reserve and pay for campsites. Should 
registered birder "campers" wish to eat in the restaurant when open, 
they may do so.
    * Public group meetings (e.g.: WFO) are no longer being 
scheduled. Only meetings affiliated with a paid Silver Saddle member 
are allowed.
    * Silver Saddle membership involves an initial buy-in (currently 
c. $30,000.00 per membership)  with a subsequent, nominal (under 
$100) monthly member fee.
    * All of the preceding assumes birding etiquette and respect of 
Silver Saddle member rights (all superseding birder rights) are 
followed so all privileges to bird the private property of Silver 
Saddle are maintained, possibly expanded in the future, and not lost 
due to Silver Saddle paying member or staff complaints concerning any birder.

As an example, how does the policy change affect me?
    * BOTTOM LINE: I have inferred (and had confirmed to a high 
degree by staff this afternoon) that Silver Saddle is separating 
non-member use (e.g.: birders) from member use (approaching 100% on 
the weekends and 0% during the week) so members get the exclusivity 
for which they paid a pretty stiff price.
    * I will no longer use the restroom in the hotel. I will only use 
the others scattered about the grounds.
    * I will likely only bird on weekends if some great rarity is 
found. If one is, I will all but surely call a bunch of people to try 
and to get 3-6 other people to meet near Galileo to carpool into the 
site in two cars and pay a campsite fee at $14.30-$25 per person.
    * I will no longer stay at the hotel on site. I will all but 
surely commute from Ridgecrest or stay at a motel in Mojave if with a group.
    * Kern River Valley Spring Nature Festival field trips will not 
visit on weekends. Festival trips will now be scheduled for birding 
at Silver Saddle on Wednesday, Thursday, and morning on Friday of 
festival week.
    * I will bird Silver Saddle with an extremely heightened 
awareness that any misstep on my part (e.g.: calling out a bird to 
others early in the morning when members may still be asleep) could 
impact the rights of all birders to continue to bird  Silver Saddle 
Ranch & Club at Galileo Hill.
I think I have given information which has responded at least in part 
to those e-mails I read prior to heading out for birding early this morning.

Regardless,...

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: re: Galileo rules
From: Wanda Dameron <wanda.dameron AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:24:09 -0700
Many Thanks to those that tried to work something out....

Out of curiosity, did they give any reasons of what prompted their 
decision?  

This really hurts employed people that only have the weekends.   While 
they aren't normally allowed to stay over then, had heard if they 
weren't full, they were making exceptions this last spring.

I started staying in California City and later Silver Saddle many years 
ago when illness prevented much travelling, still liked to bird and 
nearby lodging allowed me to crash.   Enjoyed it so much, have continued 
the practice and know the Kyles and others have spent the midweek 
lodging there even tho the restaurant isn't open.   I was surprized and 
pleased how  many others often stayed a night or two this last spring.   
Plus at least one birdgroup schedules outings there on a Monday, staying 
over Sun. night that does help their income.      

Has anything come of a possible WFO sponsored midweek gathering this 
fall to promote other overnighters, goodwill and income for them?    We 
can all see what became of Calif. City and don't want the same outcome 
there.....

Cheers,
Wanda Dameron
West San Fernando Valley





Jean Brandt wrote:

>  
>
> NO. We are very lucky that they will let birders on the property 
> Monday thru
> Friday noon. This came about after some very serious discussions with the
> people at Silver Saddle. Just pay close attention to their directives and
> hope that things will change in the future. We don't want birders to give
> them any reason to close the place entirely.
>
> Jean Brandt
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: kerncobirding AT  yahoogroups. com 
>  [mailto:kerncobirding AT  
> yahoogroups. com ]
> On Behalf Of thomasgezamiko
> Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 9:45 PM
> To: kerncobirding AT  yahoogroups. com 
> 
> Subject: [kerncobirding] re: Galileo rules
>
> Hi,
>
> Can't we (who is "we"?) get them to let us in, after charging an entry 
> fee?
> I would be perfectly happy to pay a day use fee. That's why I --and many
> other birders--eat at the restaurant (it's a guilt meal). Think about how
> much money you spend on gas to get there from L.A., Orange, or even (gasp)
> San Diego County.
>
> On the other hand, I moan about paying entry fees at "public" i.e. county
> parks, where there may or may not be birds, but I may want to take my 
> kids,
> so they can play. Bonelli Regional Park in L.A. is a good example. As a
> resident who pays o a lot of local taxes in L.A., I resent being 
> charged so
> much ($10?) to enter. There are plenty of free parks in the Pomona Valley,
> and also lots of birding habitat. But, Galileo is very different: it's the
> only habitat out in the middle of nowhere.
>
> Tom
>
> ------------ --------- --------- ------
>
> To post a message to the group, email:
> kerncobirding AT  yahoogroups. com 
>
> Message archives and files can be found at:
> http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/kerncobird ingYahoo 
> ! Groups Links
>
> 




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: re: Galileo rules
From: Clifford Hawley <yellowhammerCA AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:05:18 -0700
Well if they are in financial troubles here's to them going under.  I hope
they lose it all and the next owners are more hospitable.  Good birding
everyone.

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: Re: re: Galileo rules
From: Dany Sloan <danymsloan AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:10:52 -0700
Wasn't this place in financial dire straits? They could make some  
money off of us by charging birders admission. This is one place that  
I'd be glad to pay for.

Dany Sloan
Los Angeles, CA



On Aug 24, 2009, at 22:04, "Jean Brandt"   
wrote:

> NO. We are very lucky that they will let birders on the property  
> Monday thru
> Friday noon. This came about after some very serious discussions  
> with the
> people at Silver Saddle. Just pay close attention to their  
> directives and
> hope that things will change in the future. We don't want birders to  
> give
> them any reason to close the place entirely.
>
> Jean Brandt
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com  
> [mailto:kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of thomasgezamiko
> Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 9:45 PM
> To: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [kerncobirding] re: Galileo rules
>
> Hi,
>
> Can't we (who is "we"?) get them to let us in, after charging an  
> entry fee?
> I would be perfectly happy to pay a day use fee. That's why I --and  
> many
> other birders--eat at the restaurant (it's a guilt meal). Think  
> about how
> much money you spend on gas to get there from L.A., Orange, or even  
> (gasp)
> San Diego County.
>
> On the other hand, I moan about paying entry fees at "public" i.e.  
> county
> parks, where there may or may not be birds, but I may want to take  
> my kids,
> so they can play. Bonelli Regional Park in L.A. is a good example.  
> As a
> resident who pays o a lot of local taxes in L.A., I resent being  
> charged so
> much ($10?) to enter. There are plenty of free parks in the Pomona  
> Valley,
> and also lots of birding habitat. But, Galileo is very different:  
> it's the
> only habitat out in the middle of nowhere.
>
> Tom
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> To post a message to the group, email:
> kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com
>
> Message archives and files can be found at:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirdingYahoo! Groups Links
>
> 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: RE: re: Galileo rules
From: "Jean Brandt" <jeanbrandt AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:04:32 -0700
NO. We are very lucky that they will let birders on the property Monday thru
Friday noon. This came about after some very serious discussions with the
people at Silver Saddle. Just pay close attention to their directives and
hope that things will change in the future. We don't want birders to give
them any reason to close the place entirely.

Jean Brandt

-----Original Message-----
From: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of thomasgezamiko
Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 9:45 PM
To: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com
Subject: [kerncobirding] re: Galileo rules

Hi,

Can't we (who is "we"?) get them to let us in, after charging an entry fee?
I would be perfectly happy to pay a day use fee.  That's why I --and many
other birders--eat at the restaurant (it's a guilt meal).  Think about how
much money you spend on gas to get there from L.A., Orange, or even (gasp)
San Diego County.

On the other hand, I moan about paying entry fees at "public" i.e. county
parks, where there may or may not be birds, but I may want to take my kids,
so they can play.  Bonelli Regional Park in L.A. is a good example.  As a
resident who pays o a lot of local taxes in L.A., I resent being charged so
much ($10?) to enter.  There are plenty of free parks in the Pomona Valley,
and also lots of birding habitat.  But, Galileo is very different: it's the
only habitat out in the middle of nowhere.

Tom 



------------------------------------

To post a message to the group, email:
kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com

Message archives and files can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirdingYahoo! Groups Links
Subject: Galileo, closed
From: "macbirder1" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:58:40 -0000
Hello, kerncobirders. Thanks to Kelli for posting this message. There really is 
no debate and no wiggle room. Because this is private property, the rules are 
not even up for discussion. We all regret the restrictions. Several people have 
been working very hard on our behalf. 

Michael McQuerrey
kerncobirding moderator
Subject: re: Galileo rules
From: "thomasgezamiko" <thomas.miko AT verizon.net>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:45:06 -0000
Hi,

Can't we (who is "we"?) get them to let us in, after charging an entry fee? I 
would be perfectly happy to pay a day use fee. That's why I --and many other 
birders--eat at the restaurant (it's a guilt meal). Think about how much money 
you spend on gas to get there from L.A., Orange, or even (gasp) San Diego 
County. 


On the other hand, I moan about paying entry fees at "public" i.e. county 
parks, where there may or may not be birds, but I may want to take my kids, so 
they can play. Bonelli Regional Park in L.A. is a good example. As a resident 
who pays o a lot of local taxes in L.A., I resent being charged so much ($10?) 
to enter. There are plenty of free parks in the Pomona Valley, and also lots of 
birding habitat. But, Galileo is very different: it's the only habitat out in 
the middle of nowhere. 


Tom
Subject: New Rules at Galileo/Silver Saddle Ranch
From: "kernkel" <kkheindel AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:02:55 -0000
What follows is a new directive pertaining to access at Galileo/Silver Saddle 
Ranch. The news is not good, but it is also not as bad as some of the rumours 
have been. Please be mindful that our behavior will influence possible changes 
in the future - for the good or the bad. This remains private (i.e. sensitive) 
property - please do not try to circumvent the intent of what is being asked. 


Thanks,
Kelli H. Levinson
Bakersfield, Ca

read on:

Update on Silver Saddle Ranch & Club at Galileo Hill (Kern Co., CA): New Birder 
Access Policy 

 
As of now and until further notice, Silver Saddle/Galileo Hill is closed to the 
public on weekends (Fridays from Noon on, Saturdays, Sundays, and long holiday 
weekends). Staff will enforce a Members Onlypolicy on weekends. Birders who try 
to visit on weekends will be turned away. 

 
Birders may continue to access the grounds on weekdays: Mondays, Tuesdays, 
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and before Noon on Fridays. ALL facilities except the 
campground (see following) are off limits every day of the week. The bungalows, 
hotel, restaurant, and RV park are no longer accessible to birders or any other 
non-member at any time. 

 
The campground is open all week for anyone who cares to rent a space ($100/day 
on weekends, $4 5/day on weekdays). 


The staff at Silver Saddle continues to welcome birders within the guidelines 
of this new corporate directive. If any birders choose to challenge this change 
in policy in any way, the grounds of one of California's most renowned birding 
areas may be closed to all birders permanently. 


Although the above-mentioned changes are in effect immediately, Silver 
Saddle/Galileo Hill may be in a position to reverse some of the changes in the 
future. In the meantime, please observe this current policy. 


Thank you for your cooperation,

Silver Saddle Ranch & Club Staff
Subject: WWTP Baird's SP
From: "macbirder1" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:22:44 -0000
Among the many Least and Western Sandpipers, was one BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. Five 
Semipalmated Plovers is the highest count I've had this season. The number of 
peeps continues to be high and increasing. 

Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield
Subject: 20 Aug 09 S Fk Kern Watershed Birding
From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:47:29 -0700
TIME/DAY/DATE: 5;10am-11:45am, Th, 20 Aug 09

LOCATIONS: South Fork Kern River watershed, Southern Sierra Nevada, 
Kern County, California

WEATHER: 60.5F-80.9F, 53%-15% humidity; 0-7.8 kph wind

ELEVATION: 2340'-6400'

E-BIRD: Based on reports generated automatically by eBird v2 
(http://ebird.org/california/)

HIGHLIGHTS: Chukar (1 site), Mountain Quail (2 sites), Pinyon Jay (3 
sites), Common Raven roost (125+ individuals), Green-tailed Towhee (1 site)

FALL MIGRANTS: Western Kingbird, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak

OBSERVER: Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern Co, CA

SPECIES:  c. 45


KRP HQ  Entrance at Hwy 178 (5:10am-5:15am)
    * Barn Owl     1
    * Great Horned Owl     2

Fay Ranch Rd (5:20am-5:30am)
    * Barn Owl     4

Kelso Valley Rd - 1st 0.25 mi. (5:30am-5:35am)
    * Great Horned Owl     2

Kelso Valley Rd - 6 mi fr Hwy 178 (5:40am-5:45am)
    * Common Raven     125

Rocky Point (5:45am-5:55am)
    * Chukar     2
    * Mourning Dove     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     2
    * Red-winged Blackbird     1

Frog Spring (6:10am-7:20am)
    * California Quail     3
    * Mourning Dove     3
    * Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1 adult male
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
    * Northern Flicker     1
    * Say's Phoebe     1
    * Loggerhead Shrike     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     2
    * Pinyon Jay     1     Passing through Frog Spring area going up 
canyon with stops on Joshua trees. Called only once at closest 
observation on Joshua tree.
    * Common Raven     2
    * Cactus Wren     1
    * Rock Wren     1
    * Bewick's Wren     5
    * California Thrasher     1
    * Phainopepla     1
    * Western Tanager     1
    * Spotted Towhee     1
    * California Towhee     3
    * Sage Sparrow     9
    * House Finch     4

Kelso Creek Sanctuary (7:20am-7:30am) to check for Brown-crested 
Flycatcher (not present this visit and 30 Jul 09 visit, last known in 
late June a this site)
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
    * Common Raven     1
    * Oak Titmouse     1
    * Bewick's Wren     2
    * House Finch     1

Mile 18/Tunnel Spring (7:40am-8:15am)
    * California Quail     46
    * Mourning Dove     2
    * hummingbird sp.     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     3
    * Pinyon Jay     3
    * Rock Wren     1
    * Bewick's Wren     6
    * Western Tanager     1
    * Spotted Towhee     3
    * California Towhee     2
    * Sage Sparrow     8
    * Black-headed Grosbeak     2

Piute Mtn Rd - 5.5 mi w of Kelso Valley Rd (8:40am-8:45am)
    * Mountain Quail     9 (no adult males)
    * Steller's Jay     1     Imcidental to Mountain Quail observation

Piute Mtn Rd - Landers Mdw (8:50am-10:00am)
    * Red-tailed Hawk     1
    * Hairy Woodpecker     1
    * Northern Flicker     1
    * Western Wood-Pewee     4
    * Black Phoebe     1
    * Western Kingbird     1
    * Steller's Jay     2
    * Pinyon Jay     1     At least one heard calling repeatedly. 
There may have beenmre in this known high use area. But, this species 
was not pursued this visit.
    * Mountain Chickadee     10
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     5
    * Pygmy Nuthatch     16
    * Rock Wren     1
    * Western Tanager     3
    * Green-tailed Towhee     1
    * Chipping Sparrow     2
    * Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     3
    * Black-headed Grosbeak     1

Piute Mtn Rd - 6.1 mi w of Kelso Valley Rd (10:10am-10:15am)
    * Mountain Quail     4     4 adults crossing Piute Mountain Road 
c. 6.1 miles uphill from Kelso Valley Road.
    * Steller's Jay     1     Incidental to Mountain Quail observation...
    * Bewick's Wren     1     Incidental to Mountan Quail observation...

Kern River Preserve HQ (11:15am-11:45am)
    * Killdeer     1
    * Mourning Dove     1
    * Anna's Hummingbird     7
    * Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird     14
    * Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
    * Northern Flicker     1
    * Western Scrub-Jay     1
    * Common Raven     1
    * Oak Titmouse     2
    * White-breasted Nuthatch     1
    * Bewick's Wren     1
    * Western Bluebird     7
    * Yellow Warbler     3     Two adult males still singing ... 
albeit at an infrequent rate and more quietly than during peak of 
singing earlier in the breeding/nesting season
    * Common Yellowthroat     2
    * Western Tanager     1
    * Song Sparrow     3
    * House Finch     4
    * Lesser Goldfinch     11

Bob Barnes. Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA  

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Past Issues of Birding Magazines
From: "Richard Hallowell" <rick.hallowell AT verizon.net>
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:44:11 -0700
I'm Rick Hallowell with the Kerncrest Audubon Society.

Whilst in the middle of a house remodel, I am cleaning out stuff.

I have a collection of birding magazines I do not want but do not wish to
just throw away.

If you know of anyone or organization that could use these as reference
material, I'd be glad to donate.

List includes:
American Birds (NAB) - from V43, N5, Winter 1989 to present
Birding (ABA) - from V16, N1, Feb. 1984 to present
Western Birds (WF0) - V1, N1, Jan 1970 to present
Winging It Newsletter (ABA) - V1, N1, Jan 1989 to present

These are nearly complete sets.

Thanks for your help.

Rick.Hallowell AT Verizon.NET
http://www.rhallowell.com/hummers/
Subject: Kern NAB Reporting
From: "John Wilson" <jcwilson AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:02:33 -0700
Greetings All,

Just wanted to let you know that starting with this current "Fall" season I
have passed the Kern NAB "torch" to my good friend Kelli Heindel-Levinson.
I have all the faith that she will do a great job.  Hence, all Kern Co.
reports for this fall season (Aug-Nov, 2009) and all subsequent seasons
should be directed to her for inclusion into "North American Birds".  I have
thoroughly enjoyed my nearly decade tenure as the Kern County Coordinator
and I will miss receiving reports from all of you.  I greatly appreciate
your support and input in the past and look forward to seeing many of you in
the field in the future.  Kelli's contact information is: 

 

 

KKHeindel AT gmail.com

 

1819 Locust Ravine

Bakersfield, CA 93306

 

661-203-5919

Wishing you good birding,

John Wilson

Bakersfield, CA



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]