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21 Nov Concerning "Ross's" Geese at Casper Pond ["richhubie" ] 19 Nov Imm. Ross's Goose at Caspar Pond Joins Adult - Read Notes [K A Havlena ] 18 Nov Rock Sandpiper (Glass Bch) & Am Wht Pelican (Lk Mendocino) [K A Havlena ] 18 Nov "AL" historical arrival/departure dates ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 18 Nov 11/18: Am. White Pelican at Lk. Mendocino [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 18 Nov Laysan Albatross "AL" returns ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 18 Nov Banded Red-tailed Hawk at Lake Cleone ["richhubie" ] 16 Nov Lake County Marbled Godwit [vishnu ] 16 Nov Lake County [Floyd Hayes ] 16 Nov Re: Surf Scoters [George Chaniot ] 15 Nov 11/15: Ukiah Costa's Hummingbird [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 15 Nov Mendocino Audubon Meeting ["Charlene McAllister" ] 15 Nov Surf Scoters ["Jerry White" ] 15 Nov Surf Scoters ["Jerry White" ] 14 Nov Lake County Scoters [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 11 Nov Chestnut-collared Longspur again ["choatzin" ] 11 Nov Chestnut-collared Longspur ["richhubie" ] 10 Nov Chestnut-collared Longspur--Mendocino Headlands ["richhubie" ] 9 Nov Ferruginous Hawk and Lk Cleone Birds [Karen Havlena ] 09 Nov Slideshow on Peregrine Falcons on Thurs, Nov 19 in Ukiah ["katemarianchild" ] 09 Nov Swamp Sparrow ["richhubie" ] 8 Nov Two SWAMP SPARROWs - Ten Mile R. [Karen Havlena ] 5 Nov Mendocino Coast CBC Date ["David Jensen" ] 4 Nov Com Moorhen & Redheads Still at Lk Cleone [K A Havlena ] 03 Nov Tropical Kingbird at Glass Beach, Fort Bragg ["Becky" ] 3 Nov Rock Sandpiper - Glass Beach [K A Havlena ] 3 Nov Ten Mile River Birds [Erica Fielder ] 3 Nov Redheads & Canvasback - Lake Cleone 11/3 [Karen Havlena ] 2 Nov Heerman's Gull at Kelsey Creek [Floyd Hayes ] 03 Nov Redheads--Lake Cleone ["richhubie" ] 2 Nov Cattle Egret in Lake County ["Jerry White" ] 1 Nov Northern Fulmar at Seaside Beach - Ten Mile Area [Karen Havlena ] 1 Nov Harlequin Ducks & White-throated Sparrow [Karen Havlena ] 31 Oct Hooded Mergansers--Little River ["richhubie" ] 31 Oct Lake County Franklin's Gull ["Jerry White" ] 29 Oct RE: Black-crowned Night Heron comment ["John Sterling" ] 29 Oct Re: Black-crowned Night Heron comment [George Chaniot ] 29 Oct Peregrine Falcon slideshow: Thursday, Nov. 19 in Ukiah ["katemarianchild" ] 29 Oct White-throated sparrow [Becky Stenberg ] 28 Oct Black-crowned Night Heron comment ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 28 Oct Re: Black-crowned Night-Herons-Possible nesting record?? ["Cate" ] 28 Oct Grouse Update - still present but moving out ["Richard" ] 28 Oct Sooty Grouse (Real Time) ["Richard" ] 26 Oct Potter Valley Phainopepla - no, Lewis's Woodpeckers - yes [Kathryn Parker ] 27 Oct Black-crowned Night-Herons-Possible nesting record?? ["richhubie" ] 25 Oct Phainopepla in Potter Valley [George Chaniot ] 24 Oct Lewis's Woodpecker in Potter Valley (MEN) [Matt Brady ] 23 Oct Lewis's Woodpeckers & crows ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 23 Oct Moorhen at USTP [George Chaniot ] 21 Oct Horned Lark ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 18 Oct Migrating Geese [K A Havlena ] 18 Oct Tropical Kingbird, Y-H Blackbird, Greater W-F Geese ["Richard" ] 17 Oct Least Flycatcher photos ["Ron LeValley" ] 17 Oct Least Flycatcher ["Ron LeValley" ] 16 Oct CCSP, YHBL & Other Coast Birds - 10/16 [Karen Havlena ] 16 Oct Albino Western Gull ["Gunn" ] 15 Oct Clay-colored Sparrow - Lk Cleone [K A Havlena ] 14 Oct STAL added info ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 13 Oct correction about STAL ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 13 Oct lookout for Short-tailed Albatross ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 13 Oct RE: Sandpiper ID. . . ["Lisa Walker \(Feather\)" ] 13 Oct RE: Sandpiper ID. . . ["Ron LeValley" ] 13 Oct Sandpiper ID. . . ["Lisa Walker \(Feather\)" ] 13 Oct October 18th Pelagic trip [Debra Shearwater ] 12 Oct Yellow-headed Blackbird - Yardbird [K A Havlena ] 09 Oct Pectoral S [AlbionWood ] 9 Oct Audubon October Program ["Charlene McAllister" ] 7 Oct Pacific Golden Plover at Virgin Creek ["Ron LeValley" ] 7 Oct Apologies for malware link- don't open! ["Kris Olson" ] 7 Oct Re: Yellow Headed BB ["Lisa Walker \(Feather\)" ] 7 Oct Yellow Headed BB ["Lisa Walker \(Feather\)" ] 7 Oct Orchard Oriole? [Kathryn Parker ] 7 Oct Warning - "Kris Olson" Post Malicious per CALBIRDS [Karen Havlena ] 06 Oct Jerry White: Blue Grosbeak at Usal SP [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 06 Oct Cackling Geese--Cabrillo Point ["richhubie" ] 5 Oct Lake County [Floyd Hayes ] Subject: Concerning "Ross's" Geese at Casper Pond From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:25:57 -0000 Fri Nov 20, 2009--The sun came out briefly so I went up to Casper Pond. The immature Ross's Goose was not there apparently feeling unwanted. I did take some pictures of the remaining goose. One of the pictures, showing the head has been uploaded. It still looks (to me) like the Ross's x Lesser Snow Goose hybrid shown in Sibley's "Guide to Birds". Note also the indented (curved) feather line at bridge of bill is curved like Snow Geese not straight like a Ross's. Of course the goose could have been grinning at me for stepping in goose poop. Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Imm. Ross's Goose at Caspar Pond Joins Adult - Read Notes From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:26:17 -0800 (PST) Thur, 19 Nov 2009 -- Dorothy Tobkin called that an immature Ross's Goose was at Caspar Pond today.  She stated that "miraculously" the adult "Ross's" Goose has lost its partial/semi-grin patch, and now it looks exactly like the newly arrived immature Ross's.  I saw both birds together late this afternoon.   The immature bird is clearly a Ross's.  (I have boldly written this before)....The immature has a grayish bill and grayish legs/feet and some light gray smudginess on various parts of the basically, white plumage, with black tips to the primaries.  Where the mandibles come together on the bill, there may be a thin blackish line, but not a serated, grin patch.  The adult now looks the same - it does not appear to have a serated, grin patch, but there is a thin black line.  ALL of the other proportions are identical. Also, please note:  The adult bird nipped at the immature several times, even though the young bird wanted to stay by the adult's side.  Toby also noticed this behavior -- territorial?  Adult Ross's can have a partial/slight/ minimal grin patch, according to several books.  Go Ross's!!! Caspar Pond is at the junction of Hwy 1 and Fern Creek Rd, just north of the Caspar Creek bridge. For Dorothy (Toby) Tobkin (KA Havlena) Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rock Sandpiper (Glass Bch) & Am Wht Pelican (Lk Mendocino) From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:42:17 -0800 (PST) Wed, 18 Nov 2009 -- Dorothy Tobkin called that a/the ROCK SANDPIPER was on the 2nd large rock at the sandy beach, north end of Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.  This is at the west end of Elm St.  Take the right fork to the sandy beach. After receiving a call from Chuck, I zoomed over to Lk Mendocino to see the AMER WHITE PELICAN at the south end near Coyote Dam.  The pelican had moved slightly to a small peninsula directly east of the lower parking area at the dam.  Luckily, the bird was standing when I arrived about 1:40-pm.  Then, it settled down and tucked its bill.  I placed some phone calls after that, and it was still in sleeping mode when I left.  Hopefully, it will spend the night! Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: "AL" historical arrival/departure dates From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:53:52 -0800 18 November 2009 - I have been asked for an update on "AL's" (Laysan Albatross) known arrival and departure dates so here they are: ????? to 28 February 1994 when first discovered by T.Easterla and J.Booker 30 Nov 1994 to 27 Mar 1995 report of two birds in synchronized flight 5 Dec 1995 to 14 Mar 1996 3 Dec 1996 to 26 Mar 1997 27 Nov 1997 to 8 Mar 1998 12 Dec 1998 to 21 Mar 1999 4 Dec 1999 to 12 Feb 2000 with a fly-by-the-cove (same bird?) on 2 Apr 2000 (G.Chaniot) 26 Nov 2000 to 26 Feb 2001 28 Nov 2001 to 24 Mar 2002 21 Nov 2002 to 12 Mar 2003 25 Nov 2003 to 28 Feb 2004 28 Nov 2004 to 21 Feb 2005 26-30 Nov 2005 to 19 Mar 2006 25 Nov 2006 to 16 Mar 2007 7 Dec 2007 to 5 Mar 2008 22 Nov 2008 to 23 Mar 2009 5:26 PM 18 Nov 2009 to time-will-tell Since Laysan Albatross are so long-lived (50+ years) it is absolutely unknown as to how many years prior to 1994 that this bird may have been using Point Arena Cove un-noticed. Again, this is probably the only place on the west coast (WA/OR/CA) where one can reliably see this species with the observer standing on solid ground (not on a boat). Good Birding. Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 11/18: Am. White Pelican at Lk. Mendocino From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:09:48 -0800 Greetings Mendobirders- There was a single AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN at Lake Mendocino at 11:30 this morning. The bird was on the exposed mud on the NE corner of the dam just below the parking lot. It should be easy to see; it towers over the coots and miscreated waterfowl out there like the Pillsbury Doughboy. I did not see it there Sunday when I was picking through the gulls. Hopefully it will hang around a while. Chuck ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: Laysan Albatross "AL" returns From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:23:53 -0800 18 November 2009 - Tom Reid, from Point Arena, reports that the Point Arena Harbor master Assistant watched "AL", the famous Laysan Albatross, fly into Point Arena Cove at 9:00 AM this morning. The bird settled into resting just beyond the pier. This will be the 17th consecutive (known) "winter season" that the bird has returned to use the cove as safe haven for resting. Good Birding. Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Banded Red-tailed Hawk at Lake Cleone From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:23:36 -0000 Tue Nov 17, 2009--While birding Lake Cleone on Monday at approx. 11:30 AM I found a RED-TAILED HAWK in a tree on the north side of the lake near the "pump-house". Upon reviewing the pictures I noticed a single silver band on the right leg. The bird appeared to be an western intermediate (per Sibley) adult. Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Lake County Marbled Godwit From: vishnu <vishnuvishnu AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:52:53 -0800 I also saw, possibly a different, though presumably the same Marbled Godwit as reported earlier by Floyd Hayes. The Marbled Godwit was seen, while kayaking on Sunday afternoon, 11/15, at around 4 pm in Rodman Slough, foraging on the mudflats about 400 meters from the bridge on the slough side. No other unusual birds were seen yesterday but, in the lake itself, just beyond the slough, the incredible proliferation of hundreds & hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls flying, swimming and foraging - both skimming and diving - on the now shallow, glass-smooth lake was stunning. Vishnu Subject: Lake County From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:33:38 -0800 (PST) I birded with Doug Weidemann around Clear Lake yesterday. In addition to the SURF SCOTERS in Lakeport we saw one other bird of interest, a MARBLED GODWIT at the mouth (lake side) of Rodman's Slough. Amazingly it was foraging (or at least trying to forage) on a few patches of mud, none more than a foot across, jutting above the water near a small patch of reeds several hundred feet from shore. I doubt it stayed there for long. Floyd Hayes Hidden Valley Lake, CA Subject: Re: Surf Scoters From: George Chaniot <chaniot AT pacific.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:27:40 -0800 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 -- This morning at 07:55 the two SURF SCOTERS were still present off Library Park in Lakeport. One was only about 20 feet from shore off the boat ramp by the TNT Restaurant, and the other was about 60 feet out. They were underwater most of the time, and as I was watching them, they worked their way south around Willow Point and out of view. I missed them yesterday at about the same time. Next I went on the Lakeside County Park to look for a Red-breasted Sapsucker which would be my 200th Lake County year bird, but instead I found a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER in the small eucalypt by the backstop of Ball Field A. It is probably not a stretch to imagine that this is the same bird that spent last winter in the same tree. George Chaniot Potter Valley, MEN, CA > From: "Jerry White" > Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:18:07 -0800 > To: > Subject: [Mendobirds] Surf Scoters > > The two SURF SCOTERS were close to shore between the main pier and the TNT > Restaurant around 10:30 this morning. They were still present when I went > back around 1:00 pm or so. Jerry White > Subject: 11/15: Ukiah Costa's Hummingbird From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:41:56 -0800 Greetings Mendobirders- Late this afternoon a male Costa's Hummingibird in adult plumage made several visits to the feeders in our yard. It is probably not a stretch to imagine that this is the same bird that we saw very intermittently in February and March last year. Chuck and Barbara ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: Mendocino Audubon Meeting From: "Charlene McAllister" <charmac AT mcn.org> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:18:37 -0800 Reminder- Albatross and Penguins:The world through the Eyes of a Seabird Monday November 16th 7:00 pm- Fort Bragg Town Hall Mendocino Coast Audubon invites you to Join naturalist and popular expedition leader, Ted Cheeseman, for a lecture exploring what it is to be a seabird in the vast unforgiving desert of the open ocean. How is it that albatross can fly 14,000 miles on a single feeding trip to bring home just one meal for a chick? How can penguins thrive and raise chicks in the world's harshest environments, but cannot survive in mild temperate waters? Illustrated with images from worldwide travels with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Ted will tell stories of the new insight we have into the lives of seabirds through recent science, especially GPS- telemetry. We are only now learning about the truly magnificent lives of these penguins and albatross, just as they face sharp declines at the hands of industrial fishing and climate change. Ted frequently travels across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica and to its sub- Antarctic islands, the heart of penguin and albatross habitat. It is there that he will take you, on an entertaining and educational journey diving with penguins and soaring with albatross, the world's greatest mariners. Ted's abiding love of penguins and albatross stems from a lifetime of guiding travelers to remote seabird breeding colonies. He grew up traveling extensively with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, and began studying and photographing wildlife very early. Just as Ted completed a master's degree in tropical conservation biology at Duke University, the icy grip of the Antarctic took hold of Ted's heart and he returned to his home state of California to lead and organize expeditions. Audubon meetings are open to the public at no charge, however a donation to cover costs of these programs is always welcome. For further information call 937-4463 or go to www.mendocinocoastaudubon.org . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Surf Scoters From: "Jerry White" <white-jerry AT att.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:09:10 -0800 Forgot to mention the Scoters are in Lakeport at Library Park, found yesterday by Chuck and Barbara Vaughn. Jerry White [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Surf Scoters From: "Jerry White" <white-jerry AT att.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:18:07 -0800 The two SURF SCOTERS were close to shore between the main pier and the TNT Restaurant around 10:30 this morning. They were still present when I went back around 1:00 pm or so. Jerry White [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake County Scoters From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:40:26 -0800 Greetings Mendobirders- Barbara and I watched 2 Scoters with our binoculars at about 1 pm today (Nov 14) off of Library Park in Lakeport. I am quite confident that they were juvenile SURF SCOTERS, but am hoping somebody can get out there with a scope to confirm this. Thanks, Chuck ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: Chestnut-collared Longspur again From: "choatzin" <cwatson AT pacific.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:23:55 -0000 Geoff and I refound the Chestnut-collared Longspur today at 1PM in the same general location it was seen previously, southeast of the monument on the Mendocino headlands. It's a skulker. Cheryl Watson Ukiah, CA Subject: Chestnut-collared Longspur From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:49:32 -0000 Tue Nov 10, 2009--Karen Havlena and I found the CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR reported by Toby at approx. 3:45PM. It wasn't easy. We found it in the long grass field just south/east of the monument by walking thru it. It flew to about 50-60 feet south of the monument and we lost it when it jumped off the bluff into the grassy area just below the bluff. Got some pictures and if they're any good will post. Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Chestnut-collared Longspur--Mendocino Headlands From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:19:49 -0000 Tue Nov 10, 2009---Per a message on my answering machine, Toby found a single 1st winter CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR at 11:00AM today. It was located at the south/west section of the headlands, just south of the monument. Richard Hubacek for Toby Subject: Ferruginous Hawk and Lk Cleone Birds From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 21:02:38 -0800 (PST) Mon, 9 Nov 2009 -- This morning an adult (returning?) FERRUGINOUS HAWK was on a cypress across Hwy 1 from Ocean Meadows north of the Ten Mile R.  There has been a FEHA covering that area every winter since we moved here in 2005. At Lake Cleone, there was a female WHITE-WINGED SCOTER out on the middle of the lake.  The 2 REDHEADs were visible, also. The heavy surf and high tides broke down more of the Haul Rd barrier between the cove and Lake Cleone.  A lot of sand had been bulldozed off the road to Laguna Point, and kelp was strewn over the parking lot at the lake.  Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Slideshow on Peregrine Falcons on Thurs, Nov 19 in Ukiah From: "katemarianchild" <katem AT mcn.org> Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:35:56 -0000 TOP CALIFORNIA EXPERT ON PEREGRINE FALCONS TO SPEAK IN UKIAH ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 AT THE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER, 7 P.M. by Kate Marianchild Peregrine falcons, the fastest birds on earth, like Mendocino County. In fact, our county has more peregrines breeding here than any other county in the lower 48 eight states. They nest on cliff ledges 50-200 feet above the ground and seem to favor our county's isolated rocky cliffs and knolls, our mild climate, and the abundant birds available for hunting. Not many birds of prey are fast and agile enough to rely on birds as their primary food source, but with diving speeds of up to 273 miles per hour and the ability to make quick turns, these falcons are the ideal predators of other flying birds. Once it was extremely rare to see a peregrine falcon racing in hot pursuit of a duck or a dove in Mendocino County. From 1950-1975 populations fell dramatically in the U.S. to the point that by 1965 the birds were almost extinct east of the rockies and were down to 10% of their former numbers in the west. Abandoned nest sites were common on the cliffs and ledges of Mendocino, and by 1975 only 15 pairs of peregrine falcons were known to be nesting in the entire state of California. Enter Dr. Monte Kirven, one-time Ukiah-based biologist and upcoming speaker for Peregrine Audubon Society. In 1966, Dr. Kirven and other biologists began to study breeding peregrine falcons, collecting the data that eventually revealed the role of DDT and other toxic chemicals in the now well-known problem of eggshell thinning. Their research was instrumental in the passage of the 1992 federal legislation that banned DDT. In 1981, nine years after DDT was banned, Dr. Kirven was assigned to Ukiah's Bureau of Land Management office to see how peregrine falcons were faring in our region. He scoured Mendocino National Forest, as well as Six Rivers, Shasta, and Trinity National Forests, by helicopter and by foot, finding many previously unrecorded active nests as well as nests that had once been abandoned and were now reoccupied. He describes his Ukiah-based years as the most important of his 25-year study of peregrine falcons. Eleven years after arriving here, Dr. Kirven and a Santa Cruz-based scientist, Dr. Brian Walton, were able to publish a paper that reported an increase in California's breeding peregrine falcon population from 15 pairs in 1975 to 113 pairs in 1992! Dr. Kirven describes it as "a conservation success of unprecedented magnitude that resulted in the recovery of the most spectacular member of our wildlife heritage, the American peregrine falcon." Look for a medium-sized raptor with pointed wing tips, a uniform pattern of fine dark and light lines over most of its underside, and a large dark "mustache" on each cheek. You might see it flapping rapidly or diving and twisting through a flock of birds, causing them to scatter. If you would like to thank someone for the almost forever-lost opportunity to see such a sight in our county, you will soon have an opportunity to do so. Dr. Monte Kirven, now a Santa Rosa resident, will present a slideshow on California's peregrine falcons on Thursday, November 19, 7 p.m., at the Ukiah Civic Center. The slideshow will include great photographs of falcon nests and chicks. This Peregrine Audubon Society presentation is free to the public, though donations will be welcome. The Ukiah Civic Center is at 300 Seminary Avenue. To join Peregrine Audubon Society and receive a newsletter with regular announcements about programs and field trips, please send $15 to PAS, P.O. Box 311, Ukiah, CA. Submitted by Kate Marianchild Writer, Editor, Publicist 707-463-0839 Subject: Swamp Sparrow From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:45:09 -0000 Sun Nov 8, 2009--I was able to refind the SWAMP SPARROW at 10 Mile Bridge at 1:30 PM. I got a good look at the adult. There was a second bird that was the same size as the SWAMP SPARROW and smaller then a nearby Song Sparrow but it didn't allow a good look. There are 3 bridges, new, old, and a lower work bridge. You can walk out on the work bridge. I located the bird at about where the swallow nests start on the old bridge. There are horizontal iron girders under the old bridge. The SWAMP SPARROW was following these girders south towards the Red Crane when I lost it (them). Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Two SWAMP SPARROWs - Ten Mile R. From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 12:45:25 -0800 (PST) Sun, 8 Nov 2009 -- There are two SWAMP SPARROWs below the old Ten Mile R. bridge near the huge, red crane on the south side of the river.  One bird is an adult in basic plumage and the other is an immature.  Toby Tobkin found one of them, and after her call to me, I saw the two birds together, thus finding the 2nd bird.  Coincidentally, Swamp Sparrow has my goal for a couple of weeks, and I was inland along the Ten Mile looking, when Toby found the first bird.  A half hour later, I saw the two birds together. Look directly underneath the bridge(s), just east of the large crane. The workers will be on the low, wooden bridge during the week, so go very early or late in the afternoon. Karen Havlena Ten Mile area, North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mendocino Coast CBC Date From: "David Jensen" <djensen AT mcn.org> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 05:26:14 -0800 Thursday, 11/5/2009. The Mendocino Coast Audubon Society invites interested persons with all levels of birding skill to join in our thirty-sixth annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, January 2. Small groups will survey assigned areas throughout the day. Those who are able to stay will then meet for a catered dinner (BYOB) at Druid's Hall in beautiful downtown Point Arena to report their findings. The count area, which is centered near Manchester, stretches from Cuffey's Cove near Elk to the northern edge of Point Arena and contains some of the best birding habitat along our coast. The first Christmas Count in this area was held on December 15, 1974. Nine observers reported a total of 60 different species. The number of participants as well as reported species has continued to grow since then. Last year forty-two observers reported a total of 140 species. If you are interested in participating in this year's count, please contact David Jensen at djensen AT mcn.org or leave him a phone message at 964-8163. Even if you are not an expert in the identification of gulls or sparrows, you can still be a productive member of this effort and will certainly have an enjoyable day in a beautiful part of our coast. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Com Moorhen & Redheads Still at Lk Cleone From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:47:42 -0800 (PST) Tues, 3 Nov 2009 -- Dorothy ""Toby" Tobkin called late Tuesday that she saw the COMMON MOORHEN on the east side of Lake Cleone again.  Toby originally found the bird on 13 September.  She also saw the 2 REDHEADS again, as well. For Dorothy Tobkin K. Havlena Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tropical Kingbird at Glass Beach, Fort Bragg From: "Becky" <casparbeck AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:19:52 -0000 This morning before 10 a.m. on a shorebird survey, a volunteer spotted what we believe is a Tropical Kingbird in the lone tree on the trail just east of the main beach at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. The bird had a typical Kingbird shape, gray head and BRIGHT yellow underparts. It was in the top of the tree and flew south--so our look was brief. We talked with Karen Havlena and Toby Tobkin, and we think it was probably a Tropical Kingbird. Just a note--the tourists have left and the birds and insects are back at the beach. Subject: Rock Sandpiper - Glass Beach From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:38:40 -0800 (PST) Tues, 3 Nov, 2009 -- Dorothy "Toby" Tobkin just called having spotted one ROCK SANDPIPER at Glass Beach, MacKerricher SP in Fort Bragg.  The bird was roosting with Black Turnstones and Surfbirds on the 2nd largest rock to the left of the sandy beach.  Take the right fork from the main pathway at the west end of Elm St, Fort Bragg. For Dorothy Tobkin K. Havlena Fort Bragg, CA  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ten Mile River Birds From: Erica Fielder <efielder AT mcn.org> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:55:42 -0800 I saw a pair of white-winged scoters in the estuary east of the bridge. The buffleheads returned for the winter 6 or so days ago. Erica ************************************************ For more information on Erica Fielder Studio please see my two websites: http://www.ericafielder-ecoartist.com http://www.birdfeederhat.org Erica Fielder Studio P.O. Box 1075, Mendocino, CA 95460 707-964-1467 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Redheads & Canvasback - Lake Cleone 11/3 From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:00:28 -0800 (PST) Tues, 3 Nov 2009 -- The two REDHEADS and one CANVASBACK were still at Lake Cleone, MacKerricher SP, this morning.  I arrived too early for a good view of the lake, with the sun too low and mist rising from the water, so I walked out to Laguna Point.  Since Rock Sandpipers have been seen both to the north and south of us, I looked carefully but I could not find a ROSA (yet).  With the sun a little higher shortly after 0830, I easily saw the Redheads and the Canvasback on the west side of the lake. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Heerman's Gull at Kelsey Creek From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 19:42:33 -0800 (PST) Yesterday a few of us, including Steve and Diane Rose of Grass Valley, searched in vain for the FRANKLIN'S GULL at Clearlake. However, later in the day Steve and Diane found and photographed a HEERMAN'S GULL at Kelsey Creek. They also saw the COMMON MOORHEN at Clearlake Oaks County Park and three YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES in High Valley. Floyd Hayes for Steve Rose Subject: Redheads--Lake Cleone From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:50:39 -0000 Mon Nov 2, 2009--This afternoon I found 2 REDHEADS at Lake Cleone (approx 3:30). Initially they were at the north side of the Lake approx. 40 yards east of the boat ramp. Moved out to the middle when they saw me coming along the board-walk to get a better look. I also momentarily had 2 CANVASBACKS earlier but they flew off north (not my fault). Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Cattle Egret in Lake County From: "Jerry White" <white-jerry AT att.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:31:00 -0800 This morning at about 8:30 AM there was a CATTLE EGRET at the Kelsey Creek Outlet. The bird flew off about 5 minutes later heading west along the shoreline. Brad Barnwell went out looking for the bird about an hour later but it had not returned. This is the 4th record for Lake County and the 1st for the outlet and Clear Lake State Park. Another bird new for the park list was the PACIFIC LOON found by George Chaniot etal on Saturday. Jerry White [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Northern Fulmar at Seaside Beach - Ten Mile Area From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 13:09:46 -0800 (PST) Sun, 1 Nov 2009 -- Jim Havlena found a NORTHERN FULMAR (dark morph) right at the water's edge on Seaside Beach just north of the Ten Mile river mouth.  It was lively, but a sandy beach is an unusual location.  A short time later, Ron LeValley met with us to see the bird.  We wanted him to confirm that Karen's ID was correct and have him give us a assessment of the bird's health. Ron agreed that it was a Northern Fulmar, although the pale bill, outlined with black had us hoping for another species.  The plumage was uniform, medium gray with silvery inner primaries and wing linings. The bird was pretty feisty, so Ron suggested how to release it.  Jim and I drove to MacKerricher SP to the south bluff of Laguna Point (the Orchard Oriole area from Oct).  Jim put the bird in the water near some gulls that were feeding.  The N Fulmar began paddling away from the shore after only a few seconds.  It took a while to get out of the cove and beyond the waves, but it never stopped pushing forward. We left after it was in calmer water, so we did not see if it attempted to take off.  We hope it will be alright! Thanks to Ron for his advise. Karen H. for Jim Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Harlequin Ducks & White-throated Sparrow From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:48:06 -0800 (PST) Sun, 1 Nov 2009 -- A pair of HARLEQUIN DUCKs were in the cove at the south bluff Laguna Point, MacKerricher SP this morning.  An adult White-throated Sparrow has arrived in the front yard, feeding by the piller and lone pine tree at the north side of the yard.  This is halfway around Ocean Meadows Circle, north of the Ten Mile River bridge.  Last year, the Stenberg Glen Blair WTSP stayed just a day or two longer than our bird.  Now, a WTSP arrived in Glen Blair a day prior to this bird. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hooded Mergansers--Little River From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:03:50 -0000 Sat Oct 31, 2009--Most of the reported HOODED MERGANSERS have been in the inland area. I had 5 this morning on a small pond just west of the Little River Airport. One breeding plumage male and 4 females. Will post a couple of pictures shortly. Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Lake County Franklin's Gull From: "Jerry White" <white-jerry AT att.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:15:29 -0700 Floyd Hayes just called. He has found a FRANKLIN'S GULL on the roof of Wal Mart in Clearlake. He estimates there are a 1000 gulls there at this time. This is the 3rd county record. Jerry White for Floyd Hayes [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Black-crowned Night Heron comment From: "John Sterling" <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:42:30 -0700 It took me years to find night-herons in Clear Lake area, but I now see them a lot. Could it be that the species is increasing its range/population? Any evidence for an increase? John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com From: Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of George Chaniot Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 3:31 PM To: Mendobirds Subject: Re: [Mendobirds] Black-crowned Night Heron comment The question of the lack of breeding records for Black-crowned Night Herons in Mendocino County has puzzled me for a number of years over here on the western edge of the county. On 11 May 2005 a fresh juvenile with a little clinging down showed up in my Potter Valley yard next to the Red Post Vineyard pond. This seems pretty early in the year for it to have dispersed very far from the nesting area, and it started me wondering if there could be local nesting - perhaps along the Russian River in Potter Valley. The closest nesting area that I am aware of is in Lake County along Scotts Creek near the intersection of Route 20 and Scotts Valley Road. There was a sizeable nesting colony there in at least 2007 and 2008. This is 3.2 mi. from the Mendocino line and about 11 miles from my home. It could be the source of juveniles seen here and at Lake Mendocino, but local nesting seems more likely to me. If our Mendobirds members are sensitized to this issue, maybe we can nail the question down in the next breeding season. If they are nesting in the county, they seem to have slipped under the radar so far. We should report all spring and summer records of this species. George Chaniot Potter Valley, MEN, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Black-crowned Night Heron comment From: George Chaniot <chaniot AT pacific.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:31:01 -0700 The question of the lack of breeding records for Black-crowned Night Herons in Mendocino County has puzzled me for a number of years over here on the western edge of the county. On 11 May 2005 a fresh juvenile with a little clinging down showed up in my Potter Valley yard next to the Red Post Vineyard pond. This seems pretty early in the year for it to have dispersed very far from the nesting area, and it started me wondering if there could be local nesting - perhaps along the Russian River in Potter Valley. The closest nesting area that I am aware of is in Lake County along Scotts Creek near the intersection of Route 20 and Scotts Valley Road. There was a sizeable nesting colony there in at least 2007 and 2008. This is 3.2 mi. from the Mendocino line and about 11 miles from my home. It could be the source of juveniles seen here and at Lake Mendocino, but local nesting seems more likely to me. If our Mendobirds members are sensitized to this issue, maybe we can nail the question down in the next breeding season. If they are nesting in the county, they seem to have slipped under the radar so far. We should report all spring and summer records of this species. George Chaniot Potter Valley, MEN, CA Subject: Peregrine Falcon slideshow: Thursday, Nov. 19 in Ukiah From: "katemarianchild" <katem AT mcn.org> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:02:24 -0000 TOP CALIFORNIA EXPERT ON PEREGRINE FALCONS TO SPEAK IN UKIAH The peregrine falcon, sometimes referred to as "master of the hunt," is the fastest bird on earth. Capable of diving at speeds up to 273 miles per hour and cruising horizontally at up to 68 miles per hour, this raptor hunts other birds, often killing them during a high-speed dive with a single blow of its balled-up talons. Once common in North America, peregrines were virtually extinct in the East by 1965; by 1975 western populations had fallen by 90%. The culprit? DDT and other environmental toxins. Thanks to hard-working scientists and amateur bird lovers, these noble birds of prey have made a spectacular recovery in the west. In fact, it is now possible to see them regularly in Mendocino County, where we have more nesting pairs than any other county in the nation. Dr. Monte Kirven, a key figure in California's peregrine falcon success story, will give a slide presentation in Ukiah on Thursday, November 19, 7 p.m., at the Ukiah Civic Center. Dr. Kirven helped pass the federal legislation that banned DDT and spent many years studying the peregrine population in Mendocino County. This Peregrine Audubon Society presentation is free to the public, but donations are welcome. For more information please go to www.peregrineaudubon.org. Subject: White-throated sparrow From: Becky Stenberg <sugarsmom53 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:32:46 -0700 Just for the record, I have a White -throated sparrow in my hedgerow this morning, 10/29 in GlenBlair. His markings are bright and bold. I'd like to think it's the little fellow who spent last winter here, hoping he'll stay. Becky Stenberg GlenBlair Subject: Black-crowned Night Heron comment From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:31:23 -0700 28 October 2009 - The topic of Black-crowned Night Herons in Mendocino County is of great interest concerning the archived records. In the past decades, this species was always considered rather unusual and somewhat of a "target bird" for those who took their Mendocino County year list seriously. In the last decade more communal roosts have been discovered thus making this bird easier to find during the late summer/fall/winter. The recent posts have brought a couple of these communal roosts to the forefront, and though known to individuals, these roosts had never been "documented" before in county bird records. This is great. Breeding is suspected in the county as immatures have been seen many times during the fall and winter periods . however, keep in mind that these immatures are quite capable of arriving from elsewhere (immigration). But, they are probably local resident birds. To my recollection, I don't believe that we have any documentation of actual nests, eggs, or juveniles (young before they can fly) in the county. Yet, this species most probably does nest here. Nesting however, will not occur at the fall/winter communal roost areas, and of course happens in spring and early summer. Good birding. Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Black-crowned Night-Herons-Possible nesting record?? From: "Cate" <thorn91 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:19:50 -0000 There appear to be 2 colonies of black-crowned night herons on the lower portion of the Noyo River. I have been watching them for 3 years now from a kayak and from shore. The one colony is in the "magic corner" of the Noyo River by the former launch ramp of Dolphin Isle Marina. The other is across the river from the main mooring basin. Lately some of the BCNH's have been active in the mid to late afternoon, but typically they become active around dusk. Morning birders may catch glimses of the BCNH's before they tuck into the fir trees for the day. During the day, we consistently see them in their roosts from kayaks in the river. I suspect that they are nesting on the Noyo and have a couple of ideas where their nests are but have not seen an actual nest. Here is a link to a photo that a visitor took of a juvenile during one of our sunset bird paddles this summer. Best of days, Cate Liquid Fusion Kayaking --- In Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com, "richhubie" wrote: > > Mon Oct 26, 2009--I observed 2 juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS on the Noyo River at around 2:30 PM today. The location was the Dolphin RV Park and Marina which is as far as you can drive up the Noyo off the Highway 20 entrance. David Jensen told me about the BCNH roost at this location last month. BCNHs are listed as rare in Mendocino County with no nesting records. David thinks that he may have seen juveniles at that location this last summer. He is going to talk to the owner of the kayak company located at the marina to see if she has pictures and dates of juvenile BCNHs from earlier in the year. > > > Richard Hubacek > Little River > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Grouse Update - still present but moving out From: "Richard" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:06:40 -0000 2:05p Hello - The Sooty Grouse is still here but has moved out of the redwood and is walking across the property towards the thick brush. Good Birding, Rich Subject: Sooty Grouse (Real Time) From: "Richard" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:51:39 -0000 28 October 2009, 1:45pm Gualala Hello - A juvenile Sooty Grouse ran into one of our living room windows and then flew into a redwood across our driveway. This happened about 40 minutes ago (1:05pm). The bird is still perched in the redwood. If anyone is interested in VERY good looks of Sooty Grouse please feel free to call me at 884-9973. I'll post an update again shortly and I'll post some photos. Rich Trissel Gualala (Fish Rock Road) Subject: Potter Valley Phainopepla - no, Lewis's Woodpeckers - yes From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:53:44 -0700 Spent 2 hours on Burris Lane this morning looking and listening for a Phainopepla. Did not find it. Did however, see 4 LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS to the north of Burris Lane while scanning treetops. Kathy Parker Los Gatos Subject: Black-crowned Night-Herons-Possible nesting record?? From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:58:56 -0000 Mon Oct 26, 2009--I observed 2 juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS on the Noyo River at around 2:30 PM today. The location was the Dolphin RV Park and Marina which is as far as you can drive up the Noyo off the Highway 20 entrance. David Jensen told me about the BCNH roost at this location last month. BCNHs are listed as rare in Mendocino County with no nesting records. David thinks that he may have seen juveniles at that location this last summer. He is going to talk to the owner of the kayak company located at the marina to see if she has pictures and dates of juvenile BCNHs from earlier in the year. Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Phainopepla in Potter Valley From: George Chaniot <chaniot AT pacific.net> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:08:07 -0700 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 -- At 12:12 p.m. today Paul Hawks found a male PHAINOPEPLA on Burris Lane in Potter Valley. It was in some small oaks along the lane about 100 feet west of mailbox 12000. This is in the level section along the vineyard and beyond the barn. He saw it fly off to the north to an oak in the vineyard and return to the same tree along the road. I ran in to Paul shortly afterwards and went back to look for it. I refound it easily at about 12:35 in the same tree. It was making the characteristic, upward-inflected call note repeatedly, which led me right to it. While I was watching, it flew south across the lower pasture and into the oaks along the creek, where I lost it. I looked again about 1:30 p.m. and scoped the trees to the south to no avail. Perhaps someone with better hearing could pick it up at that distance. George Chaniot Potter Valley, MEN, CA Subject: Lewis's Woodpecker in Potter Valley (MEN) From: Matt Brady <podoces AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:13:10 -0700 (PDT) Hi Birders. This evening, I rode my bike up to the pond at the end of Burris Lane, in Potter Valley (Mendocino County). I found it to be rather more birdy than the past few times I have been up there. The clear highlight was a LEWIS'S WOODPECKER, frequenting some oaks at the top of the hill overlooking the pond. On the pond were 32 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 American Wigeon and 8 Mallards, but only 4 Coots and no Pied-billed Grebes, at least that I saw. Good birding, Matt Brady Potter Valley, MEN Location: Potter Valley--Burris Ln. pond Observation date: 10/24/09 Number of species: 29 American Wigeon - Anas americana 2 Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos 8 Ring-necked Duck - Aythya collaris 32 California Quail - Callipepla californica 8 Cooper's Hawk - Accipiter cooperii 1 American Kestrel - Falco sparverius 2 American Coot - Fulica americana 4 Lewis's Woodpecker - Melanerpes lewis 1 My first for this location in a very, very long time. Acorn Woodpecker - Melanerpes formicivorus 4 Nuttall's Woodpecker - Picoides nuttallii 2 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [cafer Group] 9 Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans 2 Say's Phoebe - Sayornis saya 1 Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal) - Aphelocoma californica californica 3 American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2 Common Raven - Corvus corax 6 Oak Titmouse - Baeolophus inornatus 6 White-breasted Nuthatch (Pacific) - Sitta carolinensis [aculeata Group] 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula 3 Western Bluebird - Sialia mexicana 2 American Robin - Turdus migratorius 80 European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris 200 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) - Dendroica coronata auduboni 20 Spotted Towhee - Pipilo maculatus 1 California Towhee - Pipilo crissalis 1 White-crowned Sparrow (Puget Sound) - Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis 10 Golden-crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia atricapilla 45 House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus 5 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lewis's Woodpeckers & crows From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:28:49 -0700 Thursday - 22 October 2009 - Two Lewis's Woodpecker's were seen along the LAK/MEN just to the southeast fo the UC-Hopland Research & Extension Center. These birds are not really chasable by the public, however, I wanted to give a "heads-up" to everyone to keep an eye out in this species' regular haunts such as Covelo/Round Valley and the Old River Road between Talmage and Hopland. Last winter of 2008/2009 there was only one single LEWO reported in the county, and that was the one on the King Ranch on the Old River Road. Perhaps there will be a better winter showing for the species in MEN county for 2009/2010. Another unusual sighting that I had was watching 7 American Crows fly from Sanel Valley up and over the Mayacmas Mountains (at about 2800' elevation) into LAK County heading towards Clear Lake. Even though our local crow flocks are primarily resident, I wonder how much genetic interchange takes place from immigation/emigration between the main valleys and populations? Good birding. Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Moorhen at USTP From: George Chaniot <chaniot AT pacific.net> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:19:59 -0700 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 -- This morning at about 09:30 I saw a juvenile COMMON MOORHEN on the east end of the south pond at the Ukiah Sewage Treatment Plant. It was associating with coots and staying mostly hidden in the emergent vegetation. This species seem to be becoming more abundant in recent years in Mendocino County. This year I believe I have seen about seven individuals in four different locations. George Chaniot Potter Valley, MEN, CA American Wigeon 3, Northern Pintail 4, Mallard 60, Cinnamon Teal 2, Northern Shoveller 150, Green-winded Teal 40, Ring-necked Duck 10, Greater Scaup 2, Bufflehead 1, Ruddy Duck 3, Pied-billed Grebe 1, Eared Grebe 1, Snowy Egret 1, Turkey Vulture 1, American Coot 50, COMMON MOREHEN 1, Killdeer 15, Least Sandpiper 2, Dunlin 4, dowitcher sp 2, Wilson's Snipe 5, Northern Flicker 1, Black Phoebe 2, Western Scrub-Jay 2, American Crow 4, Common Raven 1, Long-billed Marsh Wren 1, Northern Mockingbird 1, European Starling 20, American Pipit 3, Cedar Waxwing 10, Audubon's Y-r Warbler 3, Song Sparrow 3, Lincoln's Sparrow 1, White-crowned Sparrow 10, Golden-crowned Sparrow 5, Brewer's Blackbird 5, House Finch 1. Subject: Horned Lark From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:16:35 -0700 Wednesday - 21 October 2009 - An adult female Horned Lark has been a "road bird" for the last two days at the UC-Hopland Research & Extension Center. I got a glimpse of the bird yesterday as it flew off but was unable to identify it to species then .however from vocalizations I knew it was "pipit-like". This morning it was (assumed same bird) back at the exact same spot and I was able to get a good binoc-look at it. Horned Larks are rather rare in the interior of the county with best chances at the Ukiah Sewage Treatment Plant. Even on the coast, fall migration produces singles or small flocks which usually do not stick around for long and luck has to be on your side to see the species. Good Birding. Bob Keiffer. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Migrating Geese From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:13:12 -0700 (PDT) Sun, 17 Oct, 2009 -  This morning, I saw a minima Cackling Goose with eight White-fronted Geese on the beach at Howard Creek.  This is along Hwy 1 north of Westport a few miles. There were almost no land birds at the creeks. Jim Havlena Ocean Meadows Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tropical Kingbird, Y-H Blackbird, Greater W-F Geese From: "Richard" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:26:16 -0000 18 October 2009 Point Arena / Manchester Hello - This morning at about 8:30a my wife, Nancy, and I saw a Tropical Kingbird on North Windy Hollow Road about 50 meters from the end of the road. I have uploaded a few pictures -- sorry about the quality. We then went to Barnegat Road off Stonboro Road and saw a Yellow-headed Blackbird in the large blackbird flock that was working the dairy which borders the north side of the lake (reached from trail off the north end of Barnegat). Several Tricolored Blackbirds were also in the flock. Also seen from that same spot were 27 Greater White-fronted Geese. Good Birding, Rich (and Nancy) Trissel Subject: Least Flycatcher photos From: "Ron LeValley" <ron AT madriverbio.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:03:52 -0700 Are now in the folder called Ron LeValley. Here are the links. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mendobirds/photos/album/1016897831/pic/1877294 208/view?picmode= &mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mendobirds/photos/album/1016897831/pic/2757270 54/view?picmode=medium &mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc Ron From: Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ron LeValley Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 3:51 PM To: 'Mendobirds' Subject: [Mendobirds] Least Flycatcher Hi all, This morning out on the Little River Headlands was a small Empidonax that I am calling a Least Flycatcher. I apologize for not getting the word out early, but I had computer user malfunction, and this bird was in a neighbor's yard in a place that can't be viewed without upsetting people so I couldn't have had people come to see it anyway. I realize that this might be a first county record. I am uploading some pictures to the Mendobirds Photo section. They should be there in a few minutes. It was not close so they are not the best photos, but I think they are identifiable. It was a small flycatcher, very white below, with a large head, bright white eye ring, bold white wing bars and only the slightest hint of yellow on the abdomen. It was flycatching, and sitting for extended periods when it would occasionally flick its tail up a tiny little bit. It did not dip the tail down like a Gray, nor did it actively flick its tail like a Western. Never did I see it flick it's wings. The bill was somewhat broad - broader than a Dusky/Hammonds, but not as broad as a Western. The bill was dark brown above and mostly pinkish-pale below with a hint of dark along the middle of the lower mandible. I have a video clip of it sitting as well. It only stayed around for about 30 minutes and then when I checked later it was not there. It wasn't in a place that normally holds birds, I was actually surprised it stayed as long as it did. Hope one shows up someplace that others can see it! Ron Ron LeValley Photography P.O. Box 332 Little River CA 95456 707/937-1742 Mendocino Coast Photographer Guild and Gallery 301 North Main Street Fort Bragg California USA 95437 Cell: 707/496-3326 Gallery: 707/964-4706 > Ron AT LeValleyPhoto.com For a free natural history Picture of the Day in your e-mail, go to http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery/omw.php For archives of past Picture of the Days, go to www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Least Flycatcher From: "Ron LeValley" <ron AT madriverbio.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:51:05 -0700 Hi all, This morning out on the Little River Headlands was a small Empidonax that I am calling a Least Flycatcher. I apologize for not getting the word out early, but I had computer user malfunction, and this bird was in a neighbor's yard in a place that can't be viewed without upsetting people so I couldn't have had people come to see it anyway. I realize that this might be a first county record. I am uploading some pictures to the Mendobirds Photo section. They should be there in a few minutes. It was not close so they are not the best photos, but I think they are identifiable. It was a small flycatcher, very white below, with a large head, bright white eye ring, bold white wing bars and only the slightest hint of yellow on the abdomen. It was flycatching, and sitting for extended periods when it would occasionally flick its tail up a tiny little bit. It did not dip the tail down like a Gray, nor did it actively flick its tail like a Western. Never did I see it flick it's wings. The bill was somewhat broad - broader than a Dusky/Hammonds, but not as broad as a Western. The bill was dark brown above and mostly pinkish-pale below with a hint of dark along the middle of the lower mandible. I have a video clip of it sitting as well. It only stayed around for about 30 minutes and then when I checked later it was not there. It wasn't in a place that normally holds birds, I was actually surprised it stayed as long as it did. Hope one shows up someplace that others can see it! Ron Ron LeValley Photography P.O. Box 332 Little River CA 95456 707/937-1742 Mendocino Coast Photographer Guild and Gallery 301 North Main Street Fort Bragg California USA 95437 Cell: 707/496-3326 Gallery: 707/964-4706 Ron AT LeValleyPhoto.com For a free natural history Picture of the Day in your e-mail, go to http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery/omw.php For archives of past Picture of the Days, go to www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: CCSP, YHBL & Other Coast Birds - 10/16 From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:49:25 -0700 (PDT) Fri, 16 Oct 2009 -- Late this morning I saw Toby's CLAY-COLORED SPARROW by Lk Clone's outflow pond in the berry bushes below the Haul Rd, MacKerricher SP.  I did the weekly SOS survey on Ten Mile beach earlier in the morning, having the most SNOWY PLOVERs I have seen this year totaling 27.  All of the SNPLs are about 1/2 mile north of the ramp north of Ward Ave, Cleone.  The ONLY other shorebird I had on the entire 4 1/4 mile walk was one Killdeer.  This afternoon in the front yard, Jim called out that the YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD had returned to the front yard.  She was missing since the rain storm. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Albino Western Gull From: "Gunn" <gashawk AT mcn.org> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:04:34 -0000 This guy is hanging out on the pier right off the Warming Hut in Crissy Field. I'm guessing WEGU by the shape but maybe someone here knows better. Seems to be in pretty good condition. http://farallones.org/gull/WEGU_albino1.jpg Subject: Clay-colored Sparrow - Lk Cleone From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:54:07 -0700 (PDT) Thu, 15 Oct 2009 -- Dorothy "Toby" Tobkin called that she saw a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at Lake Cleone in MacKerricher SP late morning.  The specific location is on the south side of the outflow pond on the west side of the road going out to Laguna Point.  A lot of berry bushes and lush grasses are just below the Haul Rd, where a Black Phoebe inhabits the area. For Dorothy Tobkin (K Havlena) North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: STAL added info From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:08:58 -0700 Wednesday - 14 October, 2009 - I apologize for the "cryptic" message about the Short-tailed Albatross yesterday, and I am sure that it raised a few questions. This particular bird was observed off of Half Moon Bay on October 11th. A photo of the bird can bee seen on the Western Field Ornithologist website http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/gallery The bird, even though not apparent in the photograph, was banded and wearing a satellite transmitter. Further checking by observers located one of the researchers involved with the banding project, and a map was provided showing that when the bird was spotted it was on its way north along the Northern California Coast. On October 12th , based upon the satellite tracking map, it was probably in Mendocino County waters, but directly west (latitude-wise) from Northern Sonoma County (bird locations on the ocean are measured to the nearest land point which for much of that area is Point Arena). Most interesting to me, however, is the satellite tracking map covers the whereabouts from October 3 to Oct 12, 2009. Prior to the sighting the bird came DOWN (southward) along the Mendocino Coast, and it looks like it was VERY close to shore along the Ten-Mile Beach to Fort Bragg section of our coastline. After it came down our coast it headed pretty far out to sea, and then came back towards near-shore around the Monterey area .and then headed north again (this is when the SFBBO Pelagic trip came across the bird last Sunday). I do NOT know if this STAL satellite-tracking info is available on any particular website. Good birding! Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: correction about STAL From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:23:30 -0700 13 October 2009 - I meant to say that the STAL was SW (not SE) of Point Arena yesterday (based upon satellite tracking). [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: lookout for Short-tailed Albatross From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:13:58 -0700 Monday - 13 October 2009 - I have received a very credible report that a first-year Short-tailed Albatross was heading north along the coast SE of Point Arena just yesterday. It is probably continuing north today but it is difficult to say how close to shore (or maybe it has already passed). If you live on the coast please keep a sharp-eye along our coast. This species has yet to be visually documented Mendocino County waters. Good birding. Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Sandpiper ID. . . From: "Lisa Walker \(Feather\)" <feather7023 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:45:57 -0700 (PDT) Thanks to Chuck, Sean, Gary and Ron!! :) You all confirmed it for me. And to think I was leaning towards Rock. LOL. .. . Stay dry, everyone! I got soaked out there today! Feather --- On Tue, 10/13/09, Ron LeValley wrote: From: Ron LeValley Subject: RE: [Mendobirds] Sandpiper ID. . . To: "'Lisa Walker (Feather)'" , Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 1:43 PM HI Feather,   It’s a Pectoral Sandpiper. Nice shots.   Ron   From: Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Lisa Walker (Feather) Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:10 PM To: mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [Mendobirds] Sandpiper ID. . .     .. . .with short yellow legs at Glass Beach during a break in this horrendous storm today. Shots at the Yahoo!Groups site. Feather [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Sandpiper ID. . . From: "Ron LeValley" <ron AT madriverbio.com> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:43:09 -0700 HI Feather, It's a Pectoral Sandpiper. Nice shots. Ron From: Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Lisa Walker (Feather) Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:10 PM To: mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [Mendobirds] Sandpiper ID. . . .. . .with short yellow legs at Glass Beach during a break in this horrendous storm today. Shots at the Yahoo!Groups site. Feather [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sandpiper ID. . . From: "Lisa Walker \(Feather\)" <feather7023 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:10:14 -0700 (PDT) .. . .with short yellow legs at Glass Beach during a break in this horrendous storm today. Shots at the Yahoo!Groups site. Feather [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: October 18th Pelagic trip From: Debra Shearwater <debi AT shearwaterjourneys.com> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:56:19 -0700 Hello, Mendo Seabirders, Shearwater Journeys' Sunday, October 18th pelagic trip will meet at the boat, TELSTAR, which is half way down North Harbor Drive (on your way to the original boat, Trek II), on the left side of the road. There is a parking lot. Please check in with the leaders at 0630, as usual prior to boarding the boat. Dress warmly, wear your rain gear. The trip is sold out. The current weather system should be dissipated by Sunday, hopefully. See you there! Debi Debra Shearwater Shearwater Journeys, Inc. PO Box 190 Hollister, CA 95024 831.637.8527 debi AT shearwaterjourneys.com www.shearwaterjourneys.com www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com **Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010* Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter Waiting list available [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yellow-headed Blackbird - Yardbird From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:02:48 -0700 (PDT) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 -- A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD and about 50 TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDs have joined the neighborhood blackbird flock, and all have been feeding in the front yard this morning.  I looked at Lisa Walker's photos, and while there are similarities, her bird at Lake Cleone was much darker and the feather edges (where wing patches would be and the tips of the primaries) were whiter.  So, I believe that this bird is different from the Lake Cleone bird.  It was too bad that she didn't get to photo the Fort Bragg YHBLs that came to feeder in town.  The flock here is way too skittish for me to attempt a pic.  It seems that there have been about 4 YHBLs in the Fort Bragg area in the last 2 weeks. Karen Havlena Ocean Meadows / Ten Mile North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pectoral S From: AlbionWood <albionwood AT wildblue.net> Date: Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:20:32 -0700 Thursday October 8 2009 - We looked for the Oriole at Laguna Point, without success, but instead found a lone Pectoral Sandpiper foraging among the wrack on the beach in the horseshoe cove. Tim on Middle Ridge, Albion Subject: Audubon October Program From: "Charlene McAllister" <charmac AT mcn.org> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 10:27:57 -0700 October 19, 2009 Meeting Location: Town Hall at 7:00 pm Cnr Laurel and Main Street Fort Bragg Speaker: Matthew Matthiessen. Birding the "Stans": A trip through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan Peregrine Audubon refers to him as the "Incomparable Matthew Matthiessen". He's a member of the "Twitch Whiffers", a group that does a Big Sit Birding Circle. He does an annual trip to locations around the world that most of us will never see. And every October Matthew comes to the coast to share one of his unusual adventures with Mendocino Audubon. While birds are always a feature, Matthew gives us a picture of the regions, the peoples and all the wildlife. Don't miss the opportunity to visit two of the "Stans" with Matthew this month. Audubon programs are open to the public at no charge. A donation will be gratefully accepted to offset the cost of presenting programs. For further information go to http://www.mendocinocoastaudubon.org/ or contact charmac AT mcn.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pacific Golden Plover at Virgin Creek From: "Ron LeValley" <ron AT madriverbio.com> Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 20:49:41 -0700 Hi all, I took a brief walk at Virgin Creek Beach this evening and found one Pacific Golden Plover on the north end of the beach. It mostly stayed up in the wrack line except when the Coast Guard Helicopter spooked it and then it went to the rocks briefly before returning to the lode of flies... Ron Ron LeValley Photography P.O. Box 332 Little River CA 95456 707/937-1742 Mendocino Coast Photographer Guild and Gallery 301 North Main Street Fort Bragg California USA 95437 Cell: 707/496-3326 Gallery: 707/964-4706 Ron AT LeValleyPhoto.com For a free natural history Picture of the Day in your e-mail, go to http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery/omw.php For archives of past Picture of the Days, go to www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Apologies for malware link- don't open! From: "Kris Olson" <kristenolson AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 20:37:52 -0700 All, I returned home today to learn that my computer had sent malware links to many of my contacts. I DO run up-to-date antivirus software, weekly scans, and have a firewall-so despite those efforts.. I apologize in advance for any problems this caused. Kris Olson [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Yellow Headed BB From: "Lisa Walker \(Feather\)" <feather7023 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 18:09:35 -0700 (PDT) OK, the shots are added. . .maybe someone can tell me if the bird is an adult female *(there were no streaks on the sides)* or a juvenile? Am thinking and leaning towards juvenile male due to what appear to be whitish outer edges on the flights. --- On Wed, 10/7/09, Lisa Walker (Feather) wrote: From: Lisa Walker (Feather) Subject: [Mendobirds] Yellow Headed BB To: mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 5:48 PM   At MacKerricher State Park, on my way out passing Lake Cleone and just north of the turn into the parking area, was a smallish flock of Brewer's Blackbirds. Perched among them, I caught sight of a flash of yellow and backed up to take a closer look. Sure enough, what appeared to be either a juvenile or an adult female Yellow-headed Blackbird was among the flock. When I stopped the engine to capture more shots (will upload my other shots later), she or he flew across the road and landed on a piece of wood bordering the rise before the beach, just north west of where she had been. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yellow Headed BB From: "Lisa Walker \(Feather\)" <feather7023 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 17:48:41 -0700 (PDT) At MacKerricher State Park, on my way out passing Lake Cleone and just north of the turn into the parking area, was a smallish flock of Brewer's Blackbirds. Perched among them, I caught sight of a flash of yellow and backed up to take a closer look. Sure enough, what appeared to be either a juvenile or an adult female Yellow-headed Blackbird was among the flock. When I stopped the engine to capture more shots (will upload my other shots later), she or he flew across the road and landed on a piece of wood bordering the rise before the beach, just north west of where she had been. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Orchard Oriole? From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 17:44:20 -0700 Has anyone looked for the Orchard Oriole in the last couple of days? Kathy Parker Los Gatos Subject: Warning - "Kris Olson" Post Malicious per CALBIRDS From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 16:19:16 -0700 (PDT) CALBIRDS has a warning about the post from "Kris Olson" that has "(no subject)."  It could be malicious spam.  Do not click to download the LINK. George may be the only one who can delete that post. Karen Havlena [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Jerry White: Blue Grosbeak at Usal SP From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:51:12 -0800 Greetings Mendobirders- Jerry White found a first-winter BLUE GROSBEAK at Usal Beach Campground at around 10 this morning. He watched it for about 30 seconds. It was in the open grassy meadow between the campground and the beach. Jerry reports that he could not refind the bird in 20-30 minutes of searching. Of local interest were 2 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS flying over the campground. Chuck for Jerry White ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: Cackling Geese--Cabrillo Point From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:25:54 -0000 Mon Oct 5, 2009--At about 4:00 PM today, I saw 100+ Cackling Geese fly south over Cabrillo Point. They were Aleutian "type" based on a very blurry picture. Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Lake County From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 16:39:56 -0700 (PDT) For the record, here are a few highlights from the last several weeks: On Sunday, 4 October, two male EURASIAN WIGEONS (one immature, one adult) were at Borax Lake. On Sunday, 27 September, Nick Shepherd and I saw 31 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED flying over Anderson Marsh and later we saw 31 (surely the same flock) at Borax Lake. We also saw a MERLIN at Austin Park and seven RED-NECKED PHALAROPES at Borax Lake. On Sunday, 20 September, Doug Weidemann and I saw a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at the mouth of Kelsey Creek. We canoed out to the Aechmophorus grebe colony south of Rodman Slough but all nests had been abandoned--hopefully because the chicks had hatched out and departed (we saw several small ones accompanying adults). At Borax Lake we saw 19 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. On Sunday, 13 September, my wife Marta and I canoed out to the Aechmophorus Grebe colony south of Rodman Slough. We also bumped into Brad Barnwell and his wife, who had kayaked to the colony and were returning. We saw about 50 active nests, mostly WESTERN GREBES but also at least three pairs of CLARK'S GREBES. We could see eggs in about 20 nests, with up to five eggs present. I managed to dig up some published reports of winter breeding in nearby areas to the south in Nevada (eggs incubated as late as 19 December; Colonial Waterbirds 20:95-97, 1997) and San Diego County, California (downy chick on 25 February; Condor 69:209, 1967), but nothing that late north of San Francisco. Floyd Hayes Hidden Valley Lake, CA