Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Monterey Bay > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, March 18 at 08:31 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Black Bee-Eater,©Barry Kent Mackay

18 Mar FOY Pacific Slope Flycatcher [Earl ] 18 Mar MERILIN [Eric Miller ] 18 Mar WILSON'S WARBLERS back [Matthew Strusis-Timmer ] 18 Mar 2nd cy THGU ["Jeff Poklen" ] 17 Mar Grasshopper Sparrow [] 17 Mar 2nd cy THGU ["Jeff Poklen" ] 16 Mar Re: SBT Mtn. Plovers - late report [Clay Kempf ] 16 Mar AMAV photos ["Jeff Poklen" ] 16 Mar SBT Mtn. Plovers - late report ["Dan Singer" ] 16 Mar Wrong Thrush ["salvatore salerno" ] 15 Mar Recent Santa Cruz Notes [] 15 Mar A Miscellany of Birds, Monterey County ["salvatore salerno" ] 15 Mar AMAVs ["Jeff Poklen" ] 15 Mar New Brighton etc [] 15 Mar WARBLING VIREO in Capitola [Judy Donaldson ] 15 Mar Hooded Mergansers ["Mark Paxton" ] 8 Mar random birds ["Alex Rinkert" ] 15 Mar Sunset Beach - Sunday afternoon - 3/14 [Amy McDonald ] 14 Mar Re: California Condor [Jake Kirkland ] 14 Mar California Condor [Jake Kirkland ] 13 Mar YB Sapsucker [Earl ] 13 Mar Brants at Jetty Road [] 12 Mar "State of the Birds 2009" report is out ["Betsy Buchalter Adler" ] 11 Mar Seacliff SB Harlequin Duck, and etc. [] 11 Mar Sapsucker Still Busy [William Jolly ] 11 Mar Thayer's Gulls ["Jeff Poklen" ] 11 Mar YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER [Jim and Anne Williams ] 11 Mar Yellow-bellied Sapsucker continues [Oscar Johnson ] 10 Mar Belated Panoche Valley Report [Clay Kempf ] 10 Mar recent birds [] 10 Mar Henry Cowell [] 10 Mar Hoodies [Jeff Wall ] 10 Mar Zayante Creek trail YBSA [Phil Brown ] 9 Mar singing birds [Matthew Strusis-Timmer ] 10 Mar Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker [kathy kuyper ] 09 Mar listowner's message [Todd Newberry ] 09 Mar Re: San Benito. Dept. of Homeland Security [] 09 Mar Natural Bridges ["Larry Selman" ] 8 Mar Homeless Garden and Terrace Point [Phil Brown ] 8 Mar RE: San Benito. Dept. of Homeland Security ["Glasco, Don (CL Tech Sv)" ] 8 Mar San Benito [] 8 Mar Red-Throated Loons at Elkhorn Slough ["Glasco, Don (CL Tech Sv)" ] 08 Mar "Best Birds" -- mostly off topic [Don Roberson ] 8 Mar Africa 09 [chris hartzell ] 8 Mar Western Bluebird [kathy kuyper ] 8 Mar Re: Tropical Kingbird, Crespi pond, continues [Chuq Von Rospach ] 7 Mar Moss Landing Red-necked Grebe [JoeDevine ] 7 Mar Re: Panoche Solar Update [Kellie Dunnett Morgantini ] 08 Mar White-winged Scoter and miscellaneous [] 7 Mar Tropical Kingbird, Crespi pond, continues [Bob Power ] 7 Mar Sunday drive in Watsonville ["Heidi Sandkuhle" ] 7 Mar Merced NWR [Alexander Gaguine ] 07 Mar Panoche Solar Update [] 07 Mar Monterey Audubon March Program: Mike Stake of Ventana Widlife to Speak Tuesday Night [] 6 Mar Thayer's Gull ["Jeff Poklen" ] 06 Mar Terrace Point, etc. [] 05 Mar Western is Tropical [Jean Myers ] 05 Mar Pacific Grove Highlights - Western Kingbird, etc. [Jean Myers ] 5 Mar Re: Bonny Doon [David Adams ] 04 Mar Bonny Doon [] 4 Mar Santa Cruz County annual list update [] 4 Mar Santa Cruz Co. Rock Sandpiper and Tropical Kingbird [Al Eisner ] 4 Mar Golden Eagle - Felton ["David Ekdahl" ] 04 Mar Tystie arrives [Don Roberson ] 3 Mar Osprey ["Bill Hill" ] 3 Mar RE: Brown Pelican over my house ["Glasco, Don (CL Tech Sv)" ] 3 Mar Burrowing Owl [Jeff Wall ] 3 Mar Brown Pelican over my house [] 3 Mar A March of Merlins [] 3 Mar where do gulls roost? [kathy kuyper ] 2 Mar Tropical Kingbird still at Struve [Alexander Gaguine ] 2 Mar MBB: Struve Slough [Madeline Spencer ] 1 Mar Birdathon Reminder 4/30 - 5/1 [Steve Rovell ] 1 Mar Rufous Hummer, Black Merlin [] 01 Mar West Cliff Drive [] 2 Mar Bluebirds [Jeff Wall ] Subject: FOY Pacific Slope Flycatcher From: Earl <hawkowl AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:31:10 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, Had my first of the year Pac-Slope today behind my office on Park Ave. in Soquel. Per-weet,Per-weet. May be a breeder since the one last year stayed through the breeding season. Earl Lebow_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: MERILIN From: Eric Miller <eaglit AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:24:08 -0700 From the corner of Washburn Ave and May Ave. in Santa Cruz,6:15PM- Just watched a MERLIN (Pacific?) dart out from the top of a tall redwood and return with a male HOUSEFINCH. _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: WILSON'S WARBLERS back From: Matthew Strusis-Timmer <mstrusistimmer AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:30:28 -0700 Hi All- I'm listening to a WILSON'S WARBLER singing near my cabin at Mission Springs in Scotts Valley. This is the first day I've heard one from the yard. There has been another singing upslope for about a week now. Also at the top of the ridge where I'm working at Mission Springs, I hear consistent varied vocalizations of COOPER'S HAWK(S) throughout the day- I suspect they are nesting. I've heard and seen the PILEATED WOODPECKER that I reported a few weeks ago a half-dozen times since. This is atypical and makes me wonder if it is staking out a new territory. We have not had this species reside here since I moved here 7 years ago- not sure about before then. Matthew Strusis-Timmer_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: 2nd cy THGU From: "Jeff Poklen" <jpkln AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:46:02 -0700 I've just put up a shot of the Thayer's Gull seen yesterday (17 Mar) at Rio del Mar. http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/122829871 Jeff Poklen Santa Cruz, CA_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Grasshopper Sparrow From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:52:48 -0400 ? Today at Moore Creek Preserve, my first?GRASSHOPPER SPARROW of the season?was singing about halfway up the Prairie View Trail.? There were several SAVANNAH SPARROWS around, with at least four singing on territory.? All that I had good looks at appeared to be the rather dark and long-ish billed subspecies that breeds locally.? Other recently arrived birds included 8-10 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, most singing, and a few VIOLET-GREEN,?CLIFF, and BARN SWALLOWS foraging over the grassland.? Among winter birds, WESTERN MEADOWLARKS were still around in good numbers, with at least 60.? TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS were being very vocal in the oak and douglas-fir areas, with quite a few singing constantly.? On the other hand, I couldn't find a single Say's Phoebe, a species that typically mostly leaves the Santa Cruz area by around?mid-March (and Black Phoebes, which nest locally,?were also mostly gone from?the open grassland areas of the preserve, as is typical for spring).? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Steve Gerow ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: 2nd cy THGU From: "Jeff Poklen" <jpkln AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:49:18 -0700 Among the gulls at Rio del Mar this afternoon I found a 2nd cycle THAYER'S GULL. A few HERRING GULLs and a 1st cycle MEW GULL were also present. Jeff Poklen Santa Cruz, CA_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: SBT Mtn. Plovers - late report From: Clay Kempf <ltjaeger AT att.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:44:24 -0700 Hi Dan, MBBers- Good question on the late date; I wish I had kept better records over the years, but I haven't. I've only seen them a handful of times after the first week of March, so we have to be in the neighborhood of late dates right now. This is only the third report this year of plovers along Little Panoche Rd that I know of. Chris Wolfe had a similar number in the same location in mid-Nov, and I had about 10 on the opposite side of the road the morning of March 7 (none there at mid-day). I suspect a large part of the infrequency of the sightings is viewer effort. It's a great reminder to everyone to look for Mtn Plovers throughout their habitat, not just where others have reported them from recently. The location is in the midst of the world's largest proposed solar project, which, if approved, will eliminate M Plovers from Panoche. Ironic that your post comes the same night I was at a hearing for the Solargen EIR. There are a LOT of legitimate concerns about the project besides Mtn Plovers including the valley being identified as core habitat for Kit Fox recovery. I don't think this battle is a lost cause, which is nice for a change. Clay Kempf Royal Oaks ~No used birds~ On Mar 16, 2010, at 9:40 AM, Dan Singer wrote: > Mark Eaton and I saw 35 Mountain Plovers in Panoche Valley last > Saturday, 13 March, on the east side of Little Panoche Road not far > north of the metal structure with the solar panel. This is the same > site Clay reported them a week before. I expect these birds will > depart for their breeding grounds soon. Does anyone (Kent, Clay?) > have a late date for the species from Panoche Valley? Thanks. > > Dan Singer > Pacifica > _______________________________________________ > mbb mailing list > mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu > http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: AMAV photos From: "Jeff Poklen" <jpkln AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:10:16 -0700 Two rather poor shots of the American Avocets seen yesterday (15 Mar) at the Pajaro River mouth lagoon: http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/122781529 http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/122781531 Jeff Poklen Santa Cruz, CA _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: SBT Mtn. Plovers - late report From: "Dan Singer" <dsg2 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:40:45 -0700 Mark Eaton and I saw 35 Mountain Plovers in Panoche Valley last Saturday, 13 March, on the east side of Little Panoche Road not far north of the metal structure with the solar panel. This is the same site Clay reported them a week before. I expect these birds will depart for their breeding grounds soon. Does anyone (Kent, Clay?) have a late date for the species from Panoche Valley? Thanks. Dan Singer Pacifica _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Wrong Thrush From: "salvatore salerno" <bees2 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:19:04 -0700 That should have been HERMIT and not SWAINSON'S THRUSHES in yesterday's post. Sorry about that. I may as well add that on Monday, an otter researcher pointed out a low-perching PEREGRINE FALCON to me and my wife on the Bird Island Trail at Pt. Lobos State Reserve. Sal Salerno, Modesto_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Recent Santa Cruz Notes From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:50:54 -0400 ? Today in the early afternoon the wintering BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was still at Oceanview Park, foraging in an alder tree near the basketball court.? Nearby, just east of the end of Branciforte Avenue, a WILSON'S WARBLER was working through the undergrowth on the south side of the small creek.? I think this was very likely also?a continuing wintering bird, rather than an early migrant, as it was foraging through the same areas that the wintering Wilson's favored, and overall was acting more like a wintering bird. ?? Downstream on the same creek, west of Branciforte I?was surprised to hear the begging call of a young SONG SPARROW, then even more surprised to see a fledgling emerge from the undergrowth, where it was fed by one of its parents.? Based on the figures in the BNA, it should take over three weeks from egg laying to fledging, so this pair must have had a nest with eggs by the third week in February. ?? Earlier today, three CLIFF SWALLOWS at Neary Lagoon were my first this season in Santa Cruz, and there were also two NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED there, as well as some TREE and VIOLET-GREEN.? The San Lorenzo River also had a few each N. ROUGH-WINGED and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS.? An adult PEREGRINE FALCON was working around the lower part of the river just upstream from the mouth. Migrant ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were in various spots today, some of them singing.? A gray-headed type Orange-crowned at Neary Lagoon this morning was probably a continuing wintering bird. ? My first N. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW of the year in the Santa Cruz area, as well as my first BARN SWALLOW, were at Antonelli Pond yesterday (March 14).? Also yesterday, an imm. NORTHERN HARRIER?was more in town than usual in the open field near Delaware Avenue and Swift Street.? On West Cliff yesterday, Kathy Kuyper and her son and I saw the ROCK SANDPIPER on the rocks east of Woodrow Ave. ?? On Friday at Neary Lagoon, the Santa Cruz Bird Club field trip had three MERLIN sightings, probably involving two different birds.? Other notables included an adult COOPER'S HAWK, 8 WOOD DUCKS, TREE and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, and a pair of OAK TITMICE gathering nesting material near the west entrance. ?? On March 11, Natural Bridges had two HOUSE WRENS, a PINE SISKIN, and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS flew over.? On March 9 a flock of 65 BRANT flying down the West Cliff Drive coast was a?good-sized single flock, and the gull flock at De Anza Mobile Home Park near Terrace Point had two THAYER'S GULLS and a presumed 1st cycle HERRING X GLAUCOUS-WINGED hybrid. ?? Finally,?the first dates I've observed nesting activity for various common species this season include- AMERICAN CROW- carrying nesting material at Lighthouse Field March 6; CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE- carrying nesting material at Natural Bridges March 9; OAK TITMOUSE- gathering bark shreds in Bethany Curve Park March 11; and WESTERN SCRUB-JAY- carrying nesting material at Natural Bridges March 11. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Steve Gerow ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: A Miscellany of Birds, Monterey County From: "salvatore salerno" <bees2 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:22:05 -0700 On Saturday, Daniel Gilman and I had a PEREGRINE FALCON hunting north of Jetty Road. We also had seven SNOWY PLOVERS at two different locations in the protected areas of Moss Landing State Beach. On Sunday, the SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, ORANGE-CROWNED and WILSON'S WARBLERS were numerous and vocal at Andrew Molera State Park. We also heard, but did not see, a male WILD TURKEY from the trail that cuts through the campground. Later that day, I had a CALIFORNIA THRASHER 'singing' in the scrub above the mouth of the Carmel River, where there was also a basking Garter Snake. A flock of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS came to a residential feeder on Ribera Street in Carmel. A single RUDDY TURNSTONE foraged with Black Turnstones in the rocks at Asilomar State Beach, near a parking spot marked '24.' The continuing TROPICAL KINGBIRD was fly-catching from the top of the ball net beyond Crespi Pond. Sal Salerno, Modesto _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: AMAVs From: "Jeff Poklen" <jpkln AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:38:12 -0700 There was a pair of alternate plumaged AMERICAN AVOCETS at the Pájaro River mouth lagoon at noon today in Monterey County. Later, they flew into Santa Cruz County. Photos to follow. Jeff Poklen Santa Cruz, CA_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: New Brighton etc From: DSUDDJIAN AT aol.com Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:56:12 EDT Making the rounds at New Brighton SB this morning I observed a female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at Tannery Gulch along the RR tracks about 150 yards upstream of the footpath that leads from the kiosk. She popped up in the crown of a willow, then went up into the flowering eucalyptus, then disappeared back down into the riparian. Viewing the ocean from the beach parking lot, I saw a CASPIAN TERN fly by (my 1st of the season), and 6 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS off the bluffs west of the beach were the first I've had this season in the Capitola / Seacliff area. A female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was also present. The campground area had some singing wintering birds, such as TOWNSEND'S and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, and some singing residents. Singing DARK-EYED JUNCOS were the most well-distributed they have been so far this season, further suggesting birds taking up breeding stations. Out of 32 SONG SPARROWS that I counted, 30 were singing males (presumably). I wonder if I missed about as many quieter females? BUSHTIT flocks continued to minimize to pairs, with 11 pairs noted today. The new colony of ACORN WOODPECKERS continues at the west edge of the campground, with 3 or 4 individuals. I wonder if they will attempt to nest? Over at Capitola Beach my first NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW of the season was zipping over Soquel Creek mouth. David Suddjian Capitola _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: WARBLING VIREO in Capitola From: Judy Donaldson <calqua AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:54:10 -0700 (PDT) A new yard bird AT Sunset & Riverview, Capitola- Around 2:00 pm, a WARBLING VIREO landed in the Twinberry vine (Lonicera involucrata) and spent 20 minutes foraging for bugs. I even had time to get the scope on it. Judy Donaldson _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Hooded Mergansers From: "Mark Paxton" <paxton AT stfrancishigh.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:37:32 -0700 A pair continue to be present most mornings in the small detention pond at the northwest corner of Lakeview Middle School in Watsonville, corner of College and Eastlake Avenues. Not a stunning rarity, but kind of cool at this busy location. Someone mentioned a while back what might have been early Tree Swallow nesting. I forgot to post earlier, but there's a row of nest boxes mounted on a fence surrounding a small farm past Merk Pond on Merk Road. On Feb. 11, we watched closely associating pairs of Tree Swallows entering and leaving boxes. Several pairs of Western Bluebirds were also present, but we saw none entering or leaving the boxes. Mark Paxton _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: random birds From: "Alex Rinkert" <arinkert12 AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 14:22:56 -0800 This morning there was a CLIFF SWALLOW building (or re-building) a nest under an eave of the new library at San Lorenzo Valley High School. Last week on 3/11, a GOLDEN EAGLE was circling over the campus during lunch. On 3/10, four RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were flying over my house, and earlier that morning, an AMERICAN CROW flew over too. Both are unusual here. At Quail Hollow Ranch on 3/7, there were 24 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS singing on the Sunset Trail and eastern ridge after none had been seen just a few days before. Two CALIFORNIA GULLS flew over the park in the direction of Highway 9. There have also been two Ca. Gulls hanging around SLV High School this winter, but I only see them at lunch time and in the afternoon which makes me wonder if the ones seen flying were heading over to the school. Alex Rinkert Ben Lomond _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Sunset Beach - Sunday afternoon - 3/14 From: Amy McDonald <amymcd AT pacbell.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:35:36 -0700 (PDT) Sunday afternoon at Sunset Beach had the following highlights:  WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (1) - A distant female or immature bird that helpfully flapped it's wings on three occassions to confirm the ID. COMMON LOON (1) WILLITS (173) - Running in and out of the waves with the Sanderlings, the only two species of shorebirds on the beach. PIGEON GUILLEMOT (1) - Just past the surf line with the Surf Scoters Amy McDonald San Jose _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: California Condor From: Jake Kirkland <kirklandj AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:38:30 -0700 *Correction:* After looking through my photos again it is possible that this was actually #431. A third year male that has been seen in Big Sur and was actually rescued from the feeding pen during the fires. I thought it was clearly an 8 but after looking at photos more carefully I cannot say for sure that it is not a 3 instead. Sorry for the possible misinformation. -Jake On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 10:13 PM, Jake Kirkland wrote: > Went out to Grimes Point, Big Sur both Saturday afternoon and today > (Sunday) mid-day. I did not see any condors on Saturday and it was VERY > windy. No vultures in the air either. Today at Grimes point there was a > single Condor #481 (tag 81 with a bar under the numerals). According to the > Pinnacles website this is a 2nd year female that was released in Pinnacles > in the Fall of last year. She was sitting up on the rock outcropping across > the highway from Grimes Pt. Sat around for at least 20 minutes and had a > very full crop. When it took off it flew over Grimes Pt. towards the ocean > and I was not able to follow it. Also saw two additional (one may have been > the same animal as this was an hour later so I have no way of knowing) > individuals soaring very high over the ridge a little further South. At > least one of these individuals was an adult by the bright red head that was > visible with binoculars even from a great distance. > > -- > Jake Kirkland > Kamakaka Lab > 225 Sinsheimer Labs > MCD Biology > UCSC > 1156 High Street > Santa Cruz, Ca 95064 > -- Jake Kirkland Kamakaka Lab 225 Sinsheimer Labs MCD Biology UCSC 1156 High Street Santa Cruz, Ca 95064_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: California Condor From: Jake Kirkland <kirklandj AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:13:41 -0700 Went out to Grimes Point, Big Sur both Saturday afternoon and today (Sunday) mid-day. I did not see any condors on Saturday and it was VERY windy. No vultures in the air either. Today at Grimes point there was a single Condor #481 (tag 81 with a bar under the numerals). According to the Pinnacles website this is a 2nd year female that was released in Pinnacles in the Fall of last year. She was sitting up on the rock outcropping across the highway from Grimes Pt. Sat around for at least 20 minutes and had a very full crop. When it took off it flew over Grimes Pt. towards the ocean and I was not able to follow it. Also saw two additional (one may have been the same animal as this was an hour later so I have no way of knowing) individuals soaring very high over the ridge a little further South. At least one of these individuals was an adult by the bright red head that was visible with binoculars even from a great distance. -- Jake Kirkland Kamakaka Lab 225 Sinsheimer Labs MCD Biology UCSC 1156 High Street Santa Cruz, Ca 95064_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: YB Sapsucker From: Earl <hawkowl AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:35:48 -0800 (PST) Hi all, The Yellow -Bellied Sapsucker continued in Santa Cruz along the San Lorenzo River in Henry Cowell Park late this morning. Easy to see and periodically returned to the large Sycamore mentioned in earlier reports. Earl Lebow_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Brants at Jetty Road From: JimRoethe AT aol.com Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:07:08 EST There was a flock of fifty Brant in the water just north of the bridge off Jetty Road this morning at 12 Noon. There were about 30 in the water when 20 more flew in. Very nice. Jim Jim Roethe 925-254-2190 jimroethe AT aol.com_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: "State of the Birds 2009" report is out From: "Betsy Buchalter Adler" <adler AT adlercolvin.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:39:12 -0800 The US Geological Survey, Audubon, Cornell Lab, and multiple other groups concerned with birdlife have released this year's report. You can find it at www.stateofthebirds.org if you are interested. It reports on threats to birdlife, focusing on impacts of climate change. Betsy Buchalter Adler _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Seacliff SB Harlequin Duck, and etc. From: DSUDDJIAN AT aol.com Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:26:06 EST A female HARLEQUIN DUCK was with SURF SCOTERS off Seacliff SB today (3/11). It was south of the cement ship and not very close to shore. The number of Surf Scoters had dropped to 810 birds. While still a large number, this was the lowest count I've had during scanning from the bluff top at Seacliff since November 18. A CLIFF SWALLOW near the bluff top parking lot was my first of the season. There is still no hint of Brandt's Cormorant nesting activity at the cement ship, and hardly any Brandt's around there (just 9 were there this morning). An adult BROWN PELICAN was flying inland over Gayle's Bakery in Capitola this afternoon, for yet another overland occurrence at Capitola this season. Numbers of gulls have begun to move overland over Capitola over the last few days, in a spring migratory type movement that usually kicks in during March. Many are going north, but directions are varied. Most are CALIFORNIAS, but also some GLAUCOUS-WINGED, and today a 1st cycle THAYER'S GULL flew over my home. It was not a new yard bird, but had little precedent. David Suddjian Capitola_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Sapsucker Still Busy From: William Jolly <tjolly3 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:30:41 -0800 The Yellow-bellied sapsucker continued into the afternoon in the same location. Zimmie and I enjoyed great views from 1:30 pm 'til we left around 2:30 pm. At one point we looked away to follow some other birds only to find the sapsucker foraging about 12 feet off the ground around old sapsucker wells in a nearby immense sycamore. He was constantly moving from tree to tree. Tim Jolly_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Thayer's Gulls From: "Jeff Poklen" <jpkln AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:10:10 -0800 Yesterday (10 Mar) at about 4:30 PM there were about 500 gulls in the flock at Rio del Mar comprised of WESTERN GULLs, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLs, CALIFORNIA GULLs, RING-BILLED GULLs, GLAUCOUS-WINGED x WESTERN GULLs, one GLAUCOUS-WINGED x HERRING GULL and 4 THAYER'S GULLs (three 1st cycle and an odd-looking 2nd cycle). Photos: http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/122664395 http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/122664374 http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/122664404 Jeff Poklen Santa Cruz, CA_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER From: Jim and Anne Williams <jimanne AT cruzio.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:32:11 -0800 Observed the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at 9:10 this morning at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park To add to the directions given by others there are two fairly new red and white metal fence posts on the right side of the path (heading toward Felton) opposite the large cottonwood and sycamore on the left of the path. Bird was moving among several upright branches just above the trail. After returning to the bridge, I looked back and could see the bird moving from there. J. Williams _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker continues From: Oscar Johnson <henicorhina AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:01:52 -0800 (PST) All, The second year male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued this morning at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton. Just to clarify the directions, for the benefit of out-of-town birders: at the main entrance on Hwy 9, there is (unofficial, but free) parking along the road immediately to the south. Walk over the entrance bridge, and the first trail on the left is Zayante Trail. Go down it for about 150 yards to a small clearing. There is a large cottonwood and a sycamore on the left that the bird was feeding in, but it was moving around the area. A photo is at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/henicorhina/4424638399/ Great bird! Oscar Johnson Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Belated Panoche Valley Report From: Clay Kempf <ltjaeger AT att.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:37:14 -0800 On Saturday, March 6, 10 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were found on the eastern side of Little Panoche Rd, across from the metal structure that has a solar panel on it. About 30 more MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were near Silver Creek Ranch on Panoche Rd. The DARK MORPH FERRUGINOUS HAWK was seen near Sliver Creek Ranch as well. About 20 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were further east on Panoche Rd. CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS have arrived, with several sighted at various spots in the valley by a variety of observers. Bob Power spotted three BURROWING OWLS about 1/2 mile before Shotgun Pass on Little Panoche. Other birds of note in the valley included GOLDEN EAGLE, FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (light morph's), and LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES. Clay Kempf _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: recent birds From: DSUDDJIAN AT aol.com Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:00:59 EST The Henry Cowell YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was also present this afternoon (3/10). And a pair of WOOD DUCKS flew over the river nearby. At New Brighton SB a singing WILSON'S WARBLER along Tannery Gulch was my 1st of the season, as were two BARN SWALLOWS over the campground. Capitola Beach had a THAYER'S GULL and a couple of HERRING GULLS. A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was the first I'd seen there (or anywhere nearby) since Feb 2. A pair of EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES copulating near Main Street School in Soquel provided some breeding evidence from that community. On 3/5 two VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS at Capitola Beach were my first in the Capitola area this season. On 3/4 the SURF SCOTER flock off Seacliff SB numbered 2,600 birds, including 1,900 in one large, dense flock. They were still predominantly adult males (~70%). A SURFBIRD on the intertidal section of the wrecked cement ship was the first I had heard of at Seacliff in a number of years. A male and female BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD were with Brewer's Blackbirds at Seacliff Drive near State Park Drive. I hadn't seen any others in the Capitola - Aptos - Seacliff region this winter, but I'm not sure if these were returning breeding birds, as I have yet to encounter any others for the season. David Suddjian Capitola _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Henry Cowell From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:15:39 -0500 ? The YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was in the same?area along the Zayante Trail in Henry Cowell State Park shortly before noon today.??Starting from the entrance road? the?traiil goes down a muddy slope, then shortly past this the riparian opens up somewhat, and there are two very?large trees on the?river-side of the trail, one sycamore and one cottonwood.? The sapsucker was at first in the smaller trees on the opposite side of the trail, then it moved into these larger trees. ?I agree with Kathy and Phil that it is a molting first-year male, still retaining sma;;?bits of juvenile plumage, and a rather patchy crown, but getting close to adult-like.? ?? I managed to get a few photos.? For some reason my better (Picasa) photo gallery didn't want to take new photos today, so for now I put a couple in my old Webshots gallery, so those are here: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/576969634dfguyu ?Also in the area, a male and female HOODED MERGANSER were swimming in the San Lorenzo River just upstream from the bridge on the entrance, and (more expected) there were three COMMON MERGANSERS at various spots on the river.? Three ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were singing in different spots along the Zayante and River Trails, a NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER was near the sapsucker spot, and there was generally good activitiy by expected species in the area. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Steve Gerow ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Hoodies From: Jeff Wall <jhwall AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:09:08 +0000 This morning the little pond east of the club house at De Laveaga golf course (Ramer Lake) had 14 Hooded Mergansers, approximately 6 males and 8 females. Not much of anything else. Only one Coot, three Mallards, and two Double Crested Cormorants. Down the road about 300 yds. to the east a Red-breasted Sapsucker was in a big nearly dead Monterey Pine. JW _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Zayante Creek trail YBSA From: Phil Brown <pdpbrown AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:20:25 -0800 Kathy Kuyper and I refound the YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER this morning at about 9:30 am. It was foraging in the trees in the first open area before you get to the dam on the Zayante Creek Trail. Looked like a first year male. Red forehead (white nape).m Red on chin (not extensive, did not go down past throat much at all), completely bordered with black. Barring on the back was extensive, wide and rather muddy (not clean white). Phil Brown_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: singing birds From: Matthew Strusis-Timmer <mstrusistimmer AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 22:14:35 -0800 Despite the cold, many of the birds have been singing around here, a sign that spring isn't too far away. There are a couple newly arrived ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS singing along with vocal HUTTON'S VIREOS and PURPLE FINCHES. WINTER WRENS, who sing periodically all winter, also have been singing more frequently and throughout the day. Even the N. FLICKERS seem extra noisy the last few days. Gotta love this time of year. Matthew Strusis-Timmer near Scotts Valley_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker From: kathy kuyper <chswift AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:59:39 +0000 This Tuesday morning about 8:30 a.m. there was a young male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER in Henry Cowell State Park. It was seen on E. Zayante Trail a short way upstream of the main entrance bridge over the river (does that make it River Trail?). At any rate, leave the road and go down the trail to the first clearing. Kathy Kuyper _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: listowner's message From: Todd Newberry <taxa AT biology.ucsc.edu> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:59:51 -0800 MBBers -- Recently some posts have strayed rather far from our MBB bioregion, which is offshore and onshore from about Pt. Sur to Ano Nuevo Pt, inland through the Coast Ranges down to/beyond Pinnacles, and eastward across Panoche Valley and even (irresistibly) to the Central Valley refuges. Some of the farther-flung commentary might well be offered by summary topic or title; posters might invite inquiries or refer MBBers to a Web address but not post the material itself at length. And several other listservs (e.g., Birdchat) provide larger audiences than does MBB for posts of wider appeal. A few posts have strayed lately into polemic, and I have company when I ask we refrain from them unless they really do apply to birds and birding here in our bioregion. Even some critically important conservation matters merit other venues than MBB when the message is lengthy or richer in non-birding opinion than in news or announcement or practical guidance. Again, referrals to other Web addresses may be apt -- and enlarge the informed/alerted community, as well. Todd Newberry, MBB listowner Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: San Benito. Dept. of Homeland Security From: lbkinglet AT aol.com Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:15:16 -0500 They already restrict access, and have done since 9/11. Check out the statement about access under "NOTE" on the following web site for the City of Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, which is really just their waste water treatment ponds. This is just outside of Las Vegas, NV. http://www.birdandhike.com/Bird/Urban_LV/Henderson/_Henderson.htm Access is already restricted on days when the local terror threat is orange or red. Why this wouldn't currently be the same for all treatment plants I don't know. Seems to me a good approach would be to draw *more* people out to such areas, as they do in Henderson despite the fact its too darned hot to go out there many months of the year, unlike here. What better deterrent to attack than many eyes peering through binoculars and scopes? The only access is through a monitored gate, then you park (under easily-overlooked surveillance cameras) and go through a staffed Visitors Center to sign in. The place is fenced, just like the Coast Guard dock in Monterey. Once outside I suppose if you'd still managed to smuggle in a shoulder mounted weapon of sufficient caliber you might well be able to hit some chlorine tank, if you knew where they were in the distance. Of course, it would be much easier to hit a propane tank right beside a busy main road in the middle of a bustling retail center, like the ones in Scotts Valley, which are right out in the open. Having followed some of the relocation requirements for such businesses over the last couple years, I know the current codes require a lot more effort go into the siting and containment methods for tanks containing hazardous substances than is grandfathered in at present. Maybe Hollister simply needs to change the way they protect their chlorine containers. And maybe our codes for businesses need to finally match those for muni, state, and federal sites, if we're going to be serious about security. As for home birds this past week, I think we have a raptor making the rounds; most of our feeder birds plus the ground feeders have been scarce to absent. On the other hand, my sister e-mailed from Maui last night to say she saw a HOUSE SPARROW trying to mate repeatedly with a BUTTON QUAIL. I was wondering back to her what the offspring would be called? DARROWS? SPOVES? Diane Goodboe Ben Lomond From:mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu [mailto:mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu] On Behalf Of Rbcarlson1 AT aol.com Sent: 2010-03-08 16:51 To: countybirders AT yahoogroups.com;mbb AT biology.ucsc.edu Subject: [MBB] San Benito Birded the Hollister WWTP today (checkin/check out at office). I saw my FOS No. Rough-winged Swallow along the fenceseparating the facility from the San Benito River.Duck numbers are still pretty good -especially in the ponds west of SH 156.Among the Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal was a drake Blue-winged Teal in thefar southwest pond. For what it's worth, an employee told methat all waste water treatment plants in the US have recently received anadvisory from the Dept. of Homeland Security to tighten security. Apparentlythey're afraid of someone bombing the treatmentequipment and/or releasing chlorine gas. The employee didn't know whatHollister was going to do, if anything, but thought that many facilitieswill probably restrict public access. Wonderful... Roy Carlson San Carlos, California _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Natural Bridges From: "Larry Selman" <lselman AT got.net> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:32:11 -0800 The Spotted Sandpiper continues at the creek in Natural Bridges State Beach. Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mostlybirds/ Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDqk9GZoSC0&fmt=37 Larry Selman -L. http://MostlyBirds.com --------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Everything is smarter than we think it is. Animals, pond scum, everything. 2.Whatever an animal is doing, it's probably the right thing, Or it would be dead. 3.Wherever a plant is growing, it's probably the right place. Or it would be dead. 4.If you sit very still in the outdoors, keeping very quiet, the animals will forget that you´re there and go on about their business. Or they´ll come over to see if you´re dead. _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Homeless Garden and Terrace Point From: Phil Brown <pdpbrown AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 20:26:20 -0800 There was one WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in the flock at the homelesss garden this morning, and 5 Brant flew north past Terrace point later. There were also 3 Bonapartes Gulls moving in the same direction. Phil Brown_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: RE: San Benito. Dept. of Homeland Security From: "Glasco, Don (CL Tech Sv)" <Don.Glasco AT cengage.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 20:07:19 -0500 I know I shouldn't but I'm feeling cranky and will do so anyway. Another example of Obama administration and Democrat congress 'stimulus'. Hire more bureaucrats to make more rules. And throw money at ill conceived non-economic "green projects" such as giant solar array in Panoche valley. Don't reply to list and moderator can delete. Don Glasco Senior Systems Engineer, Web Hosting Cengage LeamingTechnology Services 831.277.5042 | don.glasco AT cengage.com | www.cengage.com ________________________________ From: mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu [mailto:mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu] On Behalf Of Rbcarlson1 AT aol.com Sent: 2010-03-08 16:51 To: countybirders AT yahoogroups.com; mbb AT biology.ucsc.edu Subject: [MBB] San Benito Birded the Hollister WWTP today (check in/check out at office). I saw my FOS No. Rough-winged Swallow along the fence separating the facility from the San Benito River. Duck numbers are still pretty good -especially in the ponds west of SH 156. Among the Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal was a drake Blue-winged Teal in the far southwest pond. For what it's worth, an employee told me that all waste water treatment plants in the US have recently received an advisory from the Dept. of Homeland Security to tighten security. Apparently they're afraid of someone bombing the treatment equipment and/or releasing chlorine gas. The employee didn't know what Hollister was going to do, if anything, but thought that many facilities will probably restrict public access. Wonderful... Roy Carlson San Carlos, California_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: San Benito From: Rbcarlson1 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 19:50:30 EST Birded the Hollister WWTP today (check in/check out at office). I saw my FOS No. Rough-winged Swallow along the fence separating the facility from the San Benito River. Duck numbers are still pretty good -especially in the ponds west of SH 156. Among the Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal was a drake Blue-winged Teal in the far southwest pond. For what it's worth, an employee told me that all waste water treatment plants in the US have recently received an advisory from the Dept. of Homeland Security to tighten security. Apparently they're afraid of someone bombing the treatment equipment and/or releasing chlorine gas. The employee didn't know what Hollister was going to do, if anything, but thought that many facilities will probably restrict public access. Wonderful... Roy Carlson San Carlos, California_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Red-Throated Loons at Elkhorn Slough From: "Glasco, Don (CL Tech Sv)" <Don.Glasco AT cengage.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 19:11:37 -0500 I don't know if this note worthy or not. Susie Fork, Inger Laursn and I did a Elkhorn Slough shorebird survey today. Susie who works at Elkhorn Slough could not remember seeing Red Throated Loons at South Marsh of Elkhorn Slough. A pair, but not floating or interacting together. Winter plumage, i.e. no red throat. (Walk from Visitor's Center to Euc grove, past the old barn. In the lagoon on right/north side of footbridge. While doing a comb (BEACHCOMBER program) on Sunday, my partner Julie Pizzo and I found a fresh dead loon on Del Monte beach in Monterey. I thought it a young Red-Throated Loon because of plumage (white specks on dorsal), but I deferred to her to record it as a Pacific Loon based on beak length -- she had the 'beak book'. Don Glasco Senior Systems Engineer, Web Hosting Cengage LeamingTechnology Services 831.277.5042 | don.glasco AT cengage.com | www.cengage.com _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: "Best Birds" -- mostly off topic From: Don Roberson <creagrus AT montereybay.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:23:43 -0800 The following is rather off-topic for this group, but we can justify by noting that two of the birds chosen have been found in the Monterey Bay area .... In any event, I've updated and somewhat revised my picks for the "50 Best Birds in the World" and for those who haven't seen it, you might like to browse starting at http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/best_birds.html D. Roberson _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Africa 09 From: chris hartzell <c.hartzell AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:48:13 -0800 (PST) Well as many of you know Ame and I spent a month in Africa doing everything from Shark Diving to Safari's. We covered 4 countries and 7 of the best spots in South and Eastern Africa. After a lot of you continuing to ask when am I going to post the pics, I finally did. Here is a link to our pics and 1 video (shark diving)...http://www.flickr.com/photos/chartzell/sets/72157623456508809/ It will be awhile til I complete the movie. I have to finish Ecuador first (which is projected to be completed by summer 2010) and then I'll work on Africa. -Chris Hartzell_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Western Bluebird From: kathy kuyper <chswift AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 18:19:15 +0000 There was a WESTERN BLUEBIRD at Bonny Doon Ecological Preserve Sunday morning around 8:00 a.m. traveling in a mixed flock of chickadees, yellow rumps (2), oak titmouse and others I wasn't quick enough to catch. It probably was a female, since it was not very bright. It was seen traveling towards Martin Rd from the first path to the left after entering on the main path from across from the fire station. Kathy Kuyper _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Tropical Kingbird, Crespi pond, continues From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 07:29:36 -0800 Another notable bird we saw yesterday was a yellow-shafted flicker seen at the El Carmelo cemetery about 9:30AM. Two rhinoceros auklets visible off of ocean view from both perkin's park and lover's view, and a third in the inner harbor easily viewable. At the pocket park between 12th and 13th we had an interacting pair of red-shoulder hawks and some rather nice Townsend's Warblers as well as a flock of cedar waxwings. One eared grebe at Elkhorn slough had well-bronzed ears and was well into movning to breeding plumage. -- Chuq Von Rospach - http://www.chuqui.com (chuqvr AT gmail.com; chuqui AT me.com; Twitter: AT chuq)_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Moss Landing Red-necked Grebe From: JoeDevine <mojoedevine AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 20:26:28 -0800 (PST) Late this afternoon as the wind really began to pick up a Red-necked Grebe in basic plumage slowly swam by me along the breakwater at Moss Landing/Elkhorn slough inlet. It made its way just below my feet about 20 feet away giving great closeup views as it slowly swam out to the mouth of the channel into the rough water. Also of note was a female Red-breasted Merganser fishing in the north half of the harbor. Joe Devine Modesto, Ca _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Panoche Solar Update From: Kellie Dunnett Morgantini <tula AT hughes.net> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 23:05:08 -0800 Blake - We certainly need to keep an eye on the CEQA process. Get the Audubon's name in the list as an interested party so we make sure we're on the mailing list. The planning department will have to announce who they've selected for the initials study (if they don't do it in house) and for the EIR. We need to get into the loop early. you're absolutely correct about putting folks into the light at planning commission/supervisor meetings. Although I think it's at the EDGE of possibility, we need to make sure the County agrees an EIR is required so that proper public comment can be solicited and addressed. let me/us know when this comes up. Thanks for keeping up on things. Kellie D. Morgantini On Mar 7, 2010, at 10:52 AM, lammergeiereyes AT aol.com wrote: > On Saturday, March 6, an important meeting was held between local stake holders and concerned environmental groups in Panoche Valley at the proposed site for a 5,000 acre solar factory proposed for development which, if completed, will be the largest on Earth. The factory will be sighted in the middle of critical Mountain Plover wintering habitat, an Audubon Important Bird Area of International Significance and one of only 3 core population centers identified in the federal recovery program for the critically endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox. If current trends continue, some conservation biologists predict the Kit Fox will be extinct by 2040. Numerous other listed species will also be impacted. I attended in my capacity as President of Monterey Audubon, and have been actively opposing the project for several months. > > San Benito County and the developer will implement the project using federal stimulus money. All evidence suggests the county and the developer are fast-tracking environmental impacts review in an attempt to ensure the project is approved before federal stimulus money dries up. Several important stages in the planning process are approaching. If you care about this issue and oppose the project, your presence at planning meetings as well as your thoughtful public comment letters will be indispensible in showing the elected board there is significant opposition among people who live in our region. > > If you would like any more information feel free to contact me. > Best, > Blake T. Matheson > President, Monterey Audubon Society > "Men still live who, in their youth, remember Passenger Pigeons. Trees still live who, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a decade hence only the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last only the hills will know." Leopold (1949). > _______________________________________________ > mbb mailing list > mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu > http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Kellie D. Morgantini Interim Executive Director Legal Services for Seniors 21 West Laurel Drive, Suite 83 Salinas, California 93906 Offices: 831.442.7700/831.899.0492 Cell: 831.674.5863 The information contained in this transmission is confidential and may be attorney-client privileged. The information is intended only for the use of the individual to whom or the entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient,you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please immediately notify me and delete the original message and its attachments.Warning: Unless you have a signed engagement letter with me, you should not consider information contained herein as legal advice and you should check with your own counsel before relying on this message. I am unable to provide reliable legal information without a full consultation. Such information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. . _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: White-winged Scoter and miscellaneous From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:10:42 -0500 ? Today in the late morning a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was among a small flock of Surf Scoters flying up the coast off West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.? Seabird migration seemed to be picking up a bit today, with about 95 BRANT flying up the coast over the course of an hour or so (including a flock of about 50), about 65 RED-THROATED LOONS in that period, and several small Surf Scoter flocks.? A PIGEON GUILLEMOT was swimming near a regular nesting area near the end of Stockton Avenue.??In the early ?afternoon Antonelli Pond had a few migrant swallows- 3 TREES and 2 VIOLET-GREENS, all of which stopped to forage for a minute or two then continued westward.? A PEREGRINE FALCON flew over Natural Bridges.? Later this afternoon a MERLIN was sitting atop a redwood near Errett Circle. ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Steve Gerow ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Tropical Kingbird, Crespi pond, continues From: Bob Power <rcpower AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 21:52:31 -0800 (PST) Hi all, the Tropical Kingbird at Crespi pond, Pacific Grove was flycatching actively from 930 to 10:00 this morning. A lone Brant was mixing with the coots on the side of the pond. The male Harlequin Duck was balanced on top of a float in the middle of the inner harbor at Fisherman's Wharf. Approx. 26 Brant continue at Jetty Rd./Elkhorn Slough. Two Snowy Plovers were on the east side of Hwy 1 in the Snowy Plover nesting area just north of the Elkhorn Slough bridge. Good birding, Bob Power Oakland, CA _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Sunday drive in Watsonville From: "Heidi Sandkuhle" <Mrskuhle AT charter.net> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 21:28:13 -0800 This morning, Richard and I set off for a cicular route up through the hills in Watsonville, to Mt. Madonna Park, then across Summit Rd., then down Spanish Ranch Rd., back up to Highland, then home via Eureka Canyon Rd. Starting in Corralitos, we drove up Green Valley until it intersects old Mt. Madonna Rd.--along this route we saw BLACK PHOEBES, ROBINS, CA TOWHEES, SPOTTED TOWHEES, MOURNING DOVES, GOLDEN CROWNED SPARROWS, lots of STARLINGS, RED-WING BLACKBIRDS, one KESTREL, MOCKINGBIRD, lots of SCRUB JAYS, STELLAR JAYS, ACORN WOODPECKERS, HAIRY WOODPECKER, FLICKERS, RED-TAIL HAWKS (2 were mating atop a telephone pole!), COOTS, MALLARDS, MARSH WREN, CA QUAIL, YELLOW-RUMP WARBLERS, JUNCOS, HUTTON'S VIREO, WARBLING VIREO, CB CHICKADEE, RED-SHOLDERED HAWK, heard CA THRASHERS, saw WEST. MEADOWLARKS, SONG SPARROWS, TURKEY VULTURES---pretty much what you'd expect in the late morning-early afternoon. We then went up Mt. Madonna Rd. to the park--pretty quiet today. At the intersection of Pole Line Rd. and Mt. Madonna Rd. we saw 12 WILD TURKEYS with a strutting tom that was quite impressive. At the saddle on Summit Rd. we spotted a MERLIN, BAND-TAIL PIGEONS, heard WRENTITS, and saw about 33 RAVENS. Down Spanish Ranch Rd., at a friend's ranch we saw another 30 TURKEYS with at least 4 toms with the hens. His small pond had lots of CA newts, Pacific tree frogs, and a big egg mass in the water--newts? tadpoles? Lots of little landslides on the way down Highland and Eureka Canyon, and the creeks were nice and full. The manzanitas were in full bloom and the buck brush as well. Heidi Sandkuhle _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Merced NWR From: Alexander Gaguine <gaguine AT baymoon.com> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 19:02:12 -0800 Eileen and I spent three hours in Merced National Wildlife Refuge Saturday afternoon. Many great birds, including the incredible SNOW GEESE flocks, more WHITE-FACED IBISES than I've ever seen before, and four GREAT HORNED OWLS. These latter put on a show - one was sitting on a nest; later, an hour before sunset, another flew out of its roost as we approached, then perched in a leafless cottonwood. Almost immediately two LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES appeared and very aggressively harassed the Owl. The Shrikes, whom I expect to see on a wire or fence post, were flitting around in the branches of the tree as nimbly as warblers or chickadees. They made at least 20 passes at the Owl, who was clattering and hissing. Finally the Owl flew, to be immediately confronted in mid-air - very briefly, but very closely and dramatically - by a RED-TAILED HAWK. Both day- and night-shift birds flew off in their own directions. Later a male and female GH Owl were dueting. NORTHERN SHOVELERS were by far the most common duck, and they appeared mostly to be paired up. I've never before noticed first-year WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS to be so brightly colored. Cottontail Rabbits were abundant; there was a little four foot by four foot "lawn" right on the pond below the viewing platform, where several were cavorting. Seemed like a high security resort - grazing, sun, lake view, and thick brush ringing the landward side, which would probably make lots of noise with the approach of a terrestrial predator. Alexander _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Panoche Solar Update From: lammergeiereyes AT aol.com Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:52:15 -0500 On Saturday, March 6, an important meeting was held between local stake holders and concerned environmental groups in Panoche Valley at the proposed site for a 5,000 acre solar factory proposed for development which, if completed, will be the largest on Earth. The factory will be sighted in the middle of critical Mountain Plover wintering habitat, an Audubon Important Bird Area of International Significance and one of only 3 core population centers identified in the federal recovery program for the critically endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox. If current trends continue, some conservation biologists predict the Kit Fox will be extinct by 2040. Numerous other listed species will also be impacted. I attended in my capacity as President of Monterey Audubon, and have been actively opposing the project for several months. San Benito County and the developer will implement the project using federal stimulus money. All evidence suggests the county and the developer are fast-tracking environmental impacts review in an attempt to ensure the project is approved before federal stimulus money dries up. Several important stages in the planning process are approaching. If you care about this issue and oppose the project, your presence at planning meetings as well as your thoughtful public comment letters will be indispensible in showing the elected board there is significant opposition among people who live in our region. If you would like any more information feel free to contact me. Best, Blake T. Matheson President, Monterey Audubon Society "Men still live who, in their youth, remember Passenger Pigeons. Trees still live who, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a decade hence only the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last only the hills will know." Leopold (1949). _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Monterey Audubon March Program: Mike Stake of Ventana Widlife to Speak Tuesday Night From: lammergeiereyes AT aol.com Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:36:24 -0500 Just a reminder that Tuesday night , March 9, Mike Stake of Ventana Wildlife will be speaking on avian conservation and migratory bird monitoring projects in Big Sur. Refreshments will be served and Monterey Audubon membership business will be conducted from 7:00 - 7:30. Mike Stake's talk will begin at 7:30. As always our programs are held in the main hall of the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. We hope you can make it. Best, Blake T. Matheson President, Monterey Audubon Society "Men still live who, in their youth, remember Passenger Pigeons. Trees still live who, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a decade hence only the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last only the hills will know." Leopold (1949). _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Thayer's Gull From: "Jeff Poklen" <jpkln AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 11:01:19 -0800 Yesterday afternoon (6 Mar) there was an adult THAYER'S GULL at Capitola Beach. Photos: http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/highlights Jeff Poklen Santa Cruz, CA _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Terrace Point, etc. From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:06:30 -0500 ? Today's Santa Cruz Bird Club field trip visited Terrace Point and some nearby areas.? An alternate-plumaged?PIGEON GUILLEMOT swimming offshore of Terrace Point was a new arrival.? Raptors were numerous around the area, including four NORTHERN HARRIERS- an adult male, an adult female, and two?immatures (in faded juv. plumage).? A juv. RED-TAILED and two juv. RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, and a WHITE-TAILED KITE?were among other raptors hunting in the field.? A PEREGRINE FALCON also flew by, and ?a GREAT BLUE HERON and GREAT EGRET were also hunting for rodents.? WESTERN MEADOWLARKS and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES were looking more colorful than in mid-winter, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were displaying throughout the area.? A GREEN HERON was among the regulars at Antonelli Pond.? At the end of the trip, Pat Doughty, Wendy Naruo, and I checked West Cliff Drive, where the ROCK SANDPIPER was back in its favorite area just east of Woodrow Avenue, and another PEREGRIINE FALCON was flying around. ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Steve Gerow ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Western is Tropical From: Jean Myers <birdermom AT mac.com> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:12:58 -0800 Hi all! Thanks to Don and Joe, the reported Western is a Tropical Kingbird. The color of the upper chest appears either to have faded since the photo shown on Don's site (see link below) or the light was not favorable, but the beak is unmistakeable as a Tropical - just wish I could look at it on my computer instead of my camera LCD (card reader broke today!!!). Jean Myers birdermom AT mac.com http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/MTY_2010a.html_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Pacific Grove Highlights - Western Kingbird, etc. From: Jean Myers <birdermom AT mac.com> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:15:16 -0800 Hi all! Yesterday, I birded from Gilroy to Pacific Grove and found the following highlights: College Lake: The fullest I've seen it in a long time, but most bird activity was too far away to identify. Lee Road: So flooded that pelicans were roosting in the area to the left of the parking lot on an 'island'! - pair of Hooded Merganser - a dozen or so Tree Swallows Jetty Road: - 30 Brandt Geese (this is an all-time high for me outside of Morrow Bay) - Merlin - perched on a tree near HW1 and Molera Road Pacific Grove: - 2 Pidgeon Guillemot's preening near the point - 1 Western Kingbird feeding in the pond at Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links - a couple of Tree Swallows - Townsend's Warbler - 2 near overlook at San Carlos Beach Park - 48 Mew Gulls at same park Washington Park (Pacific Grove): - at least 6 Hutton's Vireo's, 2 south of Pine Ave and 4 north of Pine in a small flock - heard one Warbling Vireo calling rosita rosita rosita roseee (called many times) within the vireo flock (don't think I got pics, but not sure - see below) - one possible Cassin's Vireo - heard the question and answer call within the vireo flock, but only once (again - don't think I got pics) - 2 Townsend's Warblers Photos will be available of many of these species (after I pick up a new card reader - mine seems to have gone on the blink) upon request. Happy Birding! Jean Myers Gilroy, CA birdermom AT mac.com _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Bonny Doon From: David Adams <dpadams AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 18:27:06 +1100 Thanks for the trip report to Bonny Doon. I haven't been up there since the fire, did many (any) of the Monteray Pine survive? I'm hoping so from the range and number of woodpeckers you reported! _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Bonny Doon From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:30:50 -0500 ?? Today Kathy Kuyper and I birded Bonny Doon Ecological Preserve (in the area of?the Martin Fire two years ago.)? While we were there around mid-day, and activity was at a fairly low level, there were a few?notable things. ?? A RED CROSSBILL flew over, flying toward the higher rocky areas.? Later I heard one or more?calling from an unburnt patch of forest in that direction, so there could have been a few in the area.? The burnt forest in the preserve?attracted?an impressive?number of woodpeckers.? HAIRY WOODPECKERS were dominant; I?counted 17 or more,?possibly the?largest concentration?of this species I have ever seen in a small area--at one point there were 8 visible or audible at once close to the fire station alone, and the tapping at times sounded like a construction site.?(And Kathy noted that even more were around, or at least?more evident, ?when she visited the area one morning last week.) ?There were also?a couple of clusters of ACORN WOODPECKERS, perhaps 8-10 total, a couple of NORTHERN FLICKERS, one DOWNY (in unusual habitat), and a PILEATED called from just down the slope to the south.? We saw one and heard a couple of other VARIED THRUSH in a spot where the trail dips into the upper drainage of a small creek, and other?expected species were around.? The re-growing chaparral plants are looking particularly lush, and the lupines, lotus, yerba santa, bush poppies, and others will probably bloom into a colorful display before too long. ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Steve Gerow ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Santa Cruz County annual list update From: DSUDDJIAN AT aol.com Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 21:15:54 EST Barry is unable to update the annual list on the web page for a while, but I offer this update for the Santa Cruz collective annual list now, and we'll update the web page later. David Suddjian, county records compiler 2010 Statistics (through 2/28/10). An overlooked addition for January took the first month's total even higher, to 215 species. After that strong start, February fell flat, with just five new species, half of the month's average, but leaving us at 220 species, right at the year-to-date average. Notable rarity additions included a female Barrow's Goldeneye (almost surely the same wintering bird spending its 3rd winter in the Pajaro River mouth / Moss Landing area), and a rare winter record of Indigo Bunting. A Ruddy Turnstone was also very noteworthy, now that wintering birds no longer reside in the county. Turning up at well worked West Cliff on just one date in mid-February, it was perhaps an early migrant. The county's list on eBird was at 217 species as of the end of February, trailing just a few species behind our composite list. Species reported this year but missing on eBird are Ruddy Turnstone, Least Sandpiper, and Long-billed Dowitcher. Perhaps observers of these species will submit their sightings to eBird? www.eBird.com New Additions: Black Scoter (2/1), Barrow's Goldeneye (2/14), Northern Fulmar (1/20), Ruddy Turnstone (2/12), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2/27), Indigo Bunting (2/22). One “Code 6” species was found in 2010: Barrow's Goldeneye, Rock Sandpiper. “Code 5” species reported so far were: Costa's Hummingbird and Cassin’s Finch._______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Santa Cruz Co. Rock Sandpiper and Tropical Kingbird From: Al Eisner <eisner AT slac.stanford.edu> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 16:24:37 -0800 (PST) I tried for these two species about a month ago, striking out on both (not surprisingly in the case of the Sandpiper -- it was a day with high surf, and I found no shorebirds at all along the usual stretch of West Cliff Drive). Today (March 4) I had much better luck, getting fully satisfying prolonged views of both birds. At about 11:10 AM, the incoming tide had pushed the shorebirds along West Cliff from offshore rocks to the onshore rocks and ledges. I found the Rock Sandpiper foraging in a small flock off the first parking area east of Woodrow. The birds soon came in to roost quite close to the road. In fact, this was the closest view I've had of this individual (and perhaps of any Rock Sandpiper I've seen in CA). With a scope (rather awkward at the necessary angle) I saaw two scapulars with rusty edgings, as reported by Steve Gerow a few days ago. Other shorebirds here or nearby were Surfbirds (3), Black Turnstones (at least 7) and Sanderlings. At Lee Road in Watsonville, north of its "crossing" of Struve Slough, I had to wait about 45 minutes for the Tropical Kingbird. But once it came in (about 1:00) it was very cooperative: actively flycatching from the low fence adjacent to the gate which blocks the road, and often perching on the white box with the number 211. (When I first arrived there had been a much less active Say's Phoebe at the same spot.) Other birds here included 4 or so Great-tailed Grackles at Struve Slough, and 4 Hooded Mergansers (1 male, 3 females) in the slough east of Lee Road. (Is that also Struve Slough? I have yet to find a map which shows the slough names in this area.) Al Eisner _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Golden Eagle - Felton From: "David Ekdahl" <dekdahl AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 13:54:10 -0800 There was an adult Golden Eagle flying over Roaring Camp in Felton today at approximatly 12:20 PM David Ekdahl Connie Vigno_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Tystie arrives From: Don Roberson <creagrus AT montereybay.com> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:44:19 -0800 An alternate plumage Pigeon Guillemot was present off the Commercial Wharf in Monterey Harbor this a.m., the first arrival known to me of this local breeding this year. ["Tystie" is a British knickname for Black Guillemot, fwiw. Sometimes the bonxies chase the tysties.] Don Roberson _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Osprey From: "Bill Hill" <billhill AT redshift.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 22:10:08 -0800 I had a nice experience at the Carmel River mouth today as I watched an Osprey taking a bath. It spent about 10 minutes in the water below Cross Hill splashing around and bathing. It shook itself dry enough to fly and went off towards Point Lobos. Probably the same bird that has been seen perched in the park at Lobos and feeding at the river. _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: RE: Brown Pelican over my house From: "Glasco, Don (CL Tech Sv)" <Don.Glasco AT cengage.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 17:23:25 -0500 The Monterey Herald ran a story a week or so ago about starving pelicans being found around Salinas and up into Carmel Valley. Looking for any food they can find, I reckon. Reminds me of an anecdote from mid '90s when I was living in Australia. A farmer (we'd call him a rancher) in the Outback of central Australia (northern SA? Forget exact location) found an Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) in his water tank. 1000 KM or so from expected range. He kept it alive for a couple of days feeding it canned tuna before it died. Don Glasco Senior Systems Engineer, Web Hosting Cengage LeamingTechnology Services 831.277.5042 | don.glasco AT cengage.com | www.cengage.com ________________________________ From: mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu [mailto:mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu] On Behalf Of DSUDDJIAN AT aol.com Sent: 2010-03-03 13:59 To: mbb AT biology.ucsc.edu Subject: [MBB] Brown Pelican over my house I stepped outside a few minutes ago, just in time to see an adult BROWN PELICAN go sailing northwest over my house. There are only light winds here now, so I have no idea what its motivation was. This is the third day since mid-January that I've seen Brown Pelicans flying inland over my street. But I've lived in this neighborhood since December 1985 and had never seen pelicans passing over until this season (other than birds flying along above the coastal bluffs to the south. Very curious. David Suddjian Capitola_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Burrowing Owl From: Jeff Wall <jhwall AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 22:06:49 +0000 This morning there was a Burrowing Owl next to Sunset Beach Rd. It was peeking out of the ice plant on the first steep slope that separates the ag fields on the left, directly across the road from the first cypress tree you come to as you drive towards the beach. David Suddjian's trip looked for this bird on 2/3, but didn't get lucky. The Peregrine seen by the group on that trip was back in exactly the same perch, a few trees down the road. I tried to refind the Wild Turkeys that were near the entrance station at Sunset SB, but the whole area is flooded several inches deep. Jeff Wall Soquel, CA _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Brown Pelican over my house From: DSUDDJIAN AT aol.com Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:58:55 EST I stepped outside a few minutes ago, just in time to see an adult BROWN PELICAN go sailing northwest over my house. There are only light winds here now, so I have no idea what its motivation was. This is the third day since mid-January that I've seen Brown Pelicans flying inland over my street. But I've lived in this neighborhood since December 1985 and had never seen pelicans passing over until this season (other than birds flying along above the coastal bluffs to the south. Very curious. David Suddjian Capitola_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: A March of Merlins From: DSUDDJIAN AT aol.com Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:47 EST The month is off to a good start for me with the small falcons. This afternoon the Black MERLIN zipped over my home again, and earlier another Merlin was down the street over the vicinity of St. Joseph's Church. And one was hunting over Soquel near Main Street School. A fourth observation for the day was of one over the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center in Aptos. An adult THAYER'S GULL at Capitola Beach today was my first there since 2/16, and I had only a few there all February. David Suddjian Capitola _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: where do gulls roost? From: kathy kuyper <chswift AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 04:33:41 +0000 Well, not on the roof of Capitola Mall, apparently. Tonight, at 6:23 p.m., approximately 250 gulls exited in an orderly manner (altho a bit raucously) the roof top of the mall and headed towards Capitola beach. It was too dim to identify them, but during the day most of the gulls are adult Westerns along the edge of the roof. Kathy Kuyper _________________________________________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Tropical Kingbird still at Struve From: Alexander Gaguine <gaguine AT baymoon.com> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 17:34:54 -0800 The TROPICAL KINGBIRD was still at Struve Slough this afternoon, flycatching over the small cove to the right of where Lee Rd. disappears into the northwest side of the slough. An OSPREY was fishing overhead, and 8 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS did a flyover. Sunday evening 2 large CANADA GEESE flew west over Lighthouse Field, honking. Monday evening 2 large CANADA GEESE flew east over Lighthouse Field (I was in my car and don't know if they were honking). Alexander _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: MBB: Struve Slough From: Madeline Spencer <mmfrodo AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 12:00:01 -0800 Kathe Hart and I did the lengthy walk around Struve Slough yesterday, March 1, and were delighted and surprised to see 3 AMERICAN BITTERNS at the northwest end just before the bridge. One flew in just as we arrived at the spot near the dry reeds and stood a few yards in front of us for about 15 minutes stretching himself to full size and finally crouching down but fully visible, giving us a lengthy look at his fully extended neck and beautiful body designed just for hIding in the dry reeds. At the end of that time, another bittern head ducked up and down in the reeds behind the first bittern, showing us only his head. Then a third bittern flew past the other two and settled into the reeds a few yards above the others. Finally, the other two flew to the same location. What a show! All this after seeing about 3 dozen BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERONS in the dry willows across the slough as we made our way from the West Marine parking lot to the north end of the slough. Just past the bridge in a couple of large trees was a flock of about 25 CEDAR WAX WINGS. A small number of GADWALLS, CINNAMON TEALS, AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS (5-6 each) captured our attention as well as numerous ruddy ducks. The melodies of marsh wrens and song sparrows, and tiny frogs provided the musical accompaniment. Madeline Spencer mmfrodo AT sbcglobal.net _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Birdathon Reminder 4/30 - 5/1 From: Steve Rovell <tapaculo AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 19:37:48 -0800 Hi Birders - Well, a few weeks ago I put out my initial e-mail seeking volunteers for our annual birdathon. The dates for the birdathon are from 4 pm April 30th to 4 pm May 1st. So far, including me, I have 14 people who have confirmed with me that they will participate. Unfortunately, with 19 areas to cover, that will be difficult. I know people are busy and maybe uncertain about the dates, but could you please take a moment to reply to me if you know (or think you know) you will be able to participate? I'm especially directing this question to those of you who ALWAYS participate, but haven't yet told me you WILL participate. You know who you are..... And to everyone else? We would love to have you join us! Good birding! Steve Rovell _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Rufous Hummer, Black Merlin From: DSUDDJIAN AT aol.com Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 19:50:10 EST A male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at the campground at New Brighton SB today (3/1) was my 1st of the season. A female ALLEN'S was building a nest in a blackberry bramble. An AMERICAN CROW carrying nest material was the first evidence of nesting I've noted for that species so far this season. A "Black" MERLIN was perched near my home in Capitola this afternoon, near Elinor St x Columbus. Later it was soaring over my house and flew off to the west-northwest. Perhaps this is the same one I had in a nearby neighborhood on 2/25. David Suddjian Capitola_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: West Cliff Drive From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:36:42 -0500 The ROCK SANDPIPER was still around today, foraging among Black Turnstones, Surfbirds, and Sanderlings between Woodrow and David Way. Though it still looks basically in basic plumage, it is starting to look a bit more speckled now, and has acquired some rufous-edged scapulars. The blackbird flock in that area had an interesting male RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD that was of other than the usual local subspecies. It was one of the types with yellow median coverts forming a border on the red "epaulets", and was also larger than the Bicolored males in the flock, closer in size to a male Brewer's Blackbird. It was singing regularly, and the song was the "kong-a-reeee" type typical over much of the country, rather than the "re-o-rayyy-o" one hears from the local birds. (Two Bicolored males were singing at the same time, so it was interesting to hear the two song types together.) Some of the calls of this bird also sounded a little different from the equivalent calls of the local Red-wings. This type of Red-winged Blackbird seems to turn up in the area every now and then, I guess migrants from somewhere. SURF SCOTER migration seems to be well underway, with several flocks totalling about 300 birds flying up the coast over the course of about an hour. Steve Gerow santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Bluebirds From: Jeff Wall <jhwall AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 00:23:38 +0000 This morning I walked up through Moore Creek Preserve. On the western boundary fence just before the vernal pool there were 3 Western Bluebirds. There was a pair of Mallards in the pool and a Bobcat acting like it would like to get to know them better. Jeff Wall Soquel, CA _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb