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Monterey Bay

Updated on Tuesday, December 18 at 05:19 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

Sharon Hull and I had a cold but productive day in Panoche Valley  Monday.  
Highlights included the following:  Two gorgeous adult  GOLDEN EAGLES right by 
the road, working on roadkill (They flew off when we  stopped, and we enjoyed 
watching them land on a nearby hill and lumber up to  higher ground.); one 
adult BALD EAGLE at the Paicines reservoir (see Tom  Grey's photos); LEWIS'S 
WOODPECKER at 21119 Panoche Rd. plus a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER at 14805 Panoche 

Rd. (Thanks for the tip, Rick!); five LONG-EARED OWLS at Mercy Hot Springs; 30 

CANVASBACKS at the Little Panoche Reservoir; one female  HOODED MERGANSER on a 
stock pond; approximately 40 LARK SPARROWS lined up on a  fence wire; and our 
own special Christmas tree, with 30 YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES  all facing the 
same way in the tree! We totaled 65 species (warming up for that SCBC BIG YEAR, 

David!), a very rewarding day.
 
Nanci Adams
 
 
 
 
 
 



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This morning (12/17) there are at least twenty mature WOOD DUCKS , ten of each 
sex, on the south side of the large pond, at Neary Lagoon ,under the trees. 
There may be more, but it is difficult to see them screened by the foliage. In 
any case, this is the largest number we have yet seen here. 

I have a picture posted of a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK which was fairly regular 
yesterday around the intersection of Molera Rd and Monterey Dunes Way 
south of Moss Landing. Adult female light morph?

http://www.pbase.com/tgrey/latest

Tom Grey
http://www.geocities.com/tgrey41
http://www.pbase.com/tgrey


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Hi -

Oops.  I sent the wrong address.  Here is the correct one.

Steve Rovell
Marina, CA

http://web.mac.com/tapaculo/iWeb/Birding/Big%20Sur%20CBC%202007.html


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Hi -

Oops.  I sent the wrong address.  Here is the correct one.

Steve Rovell
Marina, CA

http://web.mac.com/tapaculo/iWeb/Birding/Big%20Sur%20CBC%202007.html


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Hi -

Oops.  I sent the wrong address.  Here is the correct one.

Steve Rovell
Marina, CA

http://web.mac.com/tapaculo/iWeb/Birding/Big%20Sur%20CBC%202007.html

Hi -

Oops.  I sent the wrong address.  Here is the correct one.

Steve Rovell
Marina, CA

http://web.mac.com/tapaculo/iWeb/Birding/Big%20Sur%20CBC%202007.html

Hi Birders -

On today's Big Sur CBC, about a dozen birders (maybe a few more)  
tallied an unofficial total of 134 species.  Among these were a female  
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (present since Thanksgiving), RED-NAPED  
SAPSUCKER, at least two BARN SWALLOWS, one HORNED LARK (locally rare)  
and two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.

The flycatcher was on the beach not far from where I discovered a Sage  
Thrasher on last year's count.  If you walk out onto the headlands  
near the mouth of the Big Sur River (Andrew Molera State Park), look  
to the north.  The flycatcher remained fairly active in this general  
vicinity throughout the day.  Sometimes it flew out of sight, but came  
back in a short while.  The sapsucker was between the laundromat and  
outhouse? #7 in the campground area of Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park.   
Several groups reported BARN SWALLOWS, but it is likely they were the  
same individuals.  I saw mine just to the north of the flycatcher,  
which is also where I saw the HORNED LARK.  I'm not sure where the  
sparrows were.

I've put up a very modest photo page of pictures I took during the  
day.  Half of the eight are of the flycatcher and two are non-bird  
pictures.  The link is below.  Enjoy!

Steve Rovell
Marina, CA

http://web.mac.com/tapaculo/iWeb/Birding/Big%20Sur%20CBC.html

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Hi Birders -

On today's Big Sur CBC, about a dozen birders (maybe a few more)  
tallied an unofficial total of 134 species.  Among these were a female  
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (present since Thanksgiving), RED-NAPED  
SAPSUCKER, at least two BARN SWALLOWS, one HORNED LARK (locally rare)  
and two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.

The flycatcher was on the beach not far from where I discovered a Sage  
Thrasher on last year's count.  If you walk out onto the headlands  
near the mouth of the Big Sur River (Andrew Molera State Park), look  
to the north.  The flycatcher remained fairly active in this general  
vicinity throughout the day.  Sometimes it flew out of sight, but came  
back in a short while.  The sapsucker was between the laundromat and  
outhouse? #7 in the campground area of Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park.   
Several groups reported BARN SWALLOWS, but it is likely they were the  
same individuals.  I saw mine just to the north of the flycatcher,  
which is also where I saw the HORNED LARK.  I'm not sure where the  
sparrows were.

I've put up a very modest photo page of pictures I took during the  
day.  Half of the eight are of the flycatcher and two are non-bird  
pictures.  The link is below.  Enjoy!

Steve Rovell
Marina, CA

http://web.mac.com/tapaculo/iWeb/Birding/Big%20Sur%20CBC.html

((To unsubscribe MBB, send the command UNSUBSCRIBE MBB  
to .)) 

Hi Birders -

On today's Big Sur CBC, about a dozen birders (maybe a few more)  
tallied an unofficial total of 134 species.  Among these were a female  
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (present since Thanksgiving), RED-NAPED  
SAPSUCKER, at least two BARN SWALLOWS, one HORNED LARK (locally rare)  
and two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.

The flycatcher was on the beach not far from where I discovered a Sage  
Thrasher on last year's count.  If you walk out onto the headlands  
near the mouth of the Big Sur River (Andrew Molera State Park), look  
to the north.  The flycatcher remained fairly active in this general  
vicinity throughout the day.  Sometimes it flew out of sight, but came  
back in a short while.  The sapsucker was between the laundromat and  
outhouse? #7 in the campground area of Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park.   
Several groups reported BARN SWALLOWS, but it is likely they were the  
same individuals.  I saw mine just to the north of the flycatcher,  
which is also where I saw the HORNED LARK.  I'm not sure where the  
sparrows were.

I've put up a very modest photo page of pictures I took during the  
day.  Half of the eight are of the flycatcher and two are non-bird  
pictures.  The link is below.  Enjoy!

Steve Rovell
Marina, CA

http://web.mac.com/tapaculo/iWeb/Birding/Big%20Sur%20CBC.html

Hi Birders -

On today's Big Sur CBC, about a dozen birders (maybe a few more)  
tallied an unofficial total of 134 species.  Among these were a female  
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (present since Thanksgiving), RED-NAPED  
SAPSUCKER, at least two BARN SWALLOWS, one HORNED LARK (locally rare)  
and two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.

The flycatcher was on the beach not far from where I discovered a Sage  
Thrasher on last year's count.  If you walk out onto the headlands  
near the mouth of the Big Sur River (Andrew Molera State Park), look  
to the north.  The flycatcher remained fairly active in this general  
vicinity throughout the day.  Sometimes it flew out of sight, but came  
back in a short while.  The sapsucker was between the laundromat and  
outhouse? #7 in the campground area of Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park.   
Several groups reported BARN SWALLOWS, but it is likely they were the  
same individuals.  I saw mine just to the north of the flycatcher,  
which is also where I saw the HORNED LARK.  I'm not sure where the  
sparrows were.

I've put up a very modest photo page of pictures I took during the  
day.  Half of the eight are of the flycatcher and two are non-bird  
pictures.  The link is below.  Enjoy!

Steve Rovell
Marina, CA

http://web.mac.com/tapaculo/iWeb/Birding/Big%20Sur%20CBC.html

The 51st annual Santa Cruz County CBC was held on December 15. Thank you to 
all who participated or provided access, and to Nanci Adams and her helpers who 

made the countdown potluck dinner so pleasant!
 
We enjoyed fantastic weather. About 72 birders went out in search of birds, 
right at the average for recent years. Tallies of counts for different species 
haven't been made yet, but here is a quick rundown of some of the hits and 
misses among the species found (and not found).
 
The preliminary species count is 166. This is the lowest for this count since 
1982! The low score was due to a low incidence of rarities (following a slow 
fall), low diversity from the pelagic boat, and a high of 17 expected species 
that were "missed." My definition of a "miss" is a species found in at least 
10 of the previous 15 years. An additional 10 species were not found that 
nearly met this definition. Well, we can't blame it on the weather this time!
 
A highlight was Western Bluebirds found in two places, as this locally 
declining species has been missed on count day since 2000! Rarity highlights 
for 

this count circle included Cackling Goose (Soquel Creek mouth), Rock Sandpiper 
(West Cliff Drive), Long-eared Owl (three places in the Soquel Valley), Common 
Poorwill (near Soquel), Red-naped Sapsucker (Mission Springs), Olive-sided 
Flycatcher (De Laveaga Park...awaiting confirmation), Violet-green Swallow (in 
4 

sections from UCSC to Davenport), Black-throated Blue Warbler (New Brighton), 
American Redstart (Natural Bridges), and Summer Tanager (Natural Bridges).
 
"Misses" by my definition were Gadwall (found 14 of 15 recent years), Nor. 
Pintail (13/15), Canvasback (12/15), Red-necked Grebe (10/15), Short-tailed 
Shearwater (11/15, missed 4 years running), Black-vented Shearwater (12/15), 
Common Moorhen (12/15), Wandering Tattler (10/15), Ruddy Turnstone (15/15, 1st 
miss 

since 1970), Ancient Murrelet (13/15), White-throated Swift (13/15), 
White-breasted Nuthatch (15/15), Nashville Warbler (14/15), Black-throated Gray 

Warbler (14/15), Hermit Warbler (15/15), Black-and-white Warbler (11/15), and 
Swamp 

Sparrow (13/15).
 
Thanks again to all who made this count happen. Mark calendars for Dec 20 in 
2008!
 
David Suddjian
Capitola



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This morning on the foothills above the Salinas River at Chalone Creek (East of 
Greenfield) an adult male Opsrey was ground-hopping around the squirrel burrows 
in an open pasture. He got lucky and flew then up towards Chalone Peak. 


Kellie 


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My wife and I arrived just after sunset at Monterey Dunes (south of Moss 
Landing) last night to find two ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS flying by as we walked 
up to our friends' house where we will be staying for a few days. One of 
them returned and sat for a minute or so posing in profile and giving 
great views against the darkening sky on the roof of the house next door. 
Quite a welcome! I'll try and photograph these beauties while I'm here. 

Tom Grey
http://www.geocities.com/tgrey41
http://www.pbase.com/tgrey


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I have a nice stack of "Wing It" Newsletters from 1993 to 2006.

I got these from a fellow birder in town and now it is time for someone else
to enjoy them. 

Please leave your phone # in reply.

Pickup is in La Selva Beach.

~ Inger Marie 





_______________________________________________
mbb mailing list
mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu
http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb

Straying out of the Santa Cruz CBC circle today (12/14)...
 
A drab immature female BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER was at Watsonville. It was in a 
willow at Harkins Slough Rd x Ohlone Road. Same place as first found by Bryan 
Mori on 11/29, and seen again on 12/5.
 
A TROPICAL KINGBIRD was along the fence of the outfield of the baseball field 
at Watsonville's St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School. A BARN 
SWALLOW flew over the area, with ~100 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS over adjacent Kelly 

Lake.
 
Yesterday there were 13 CACKLING GEESE with 5 CANADA GEESE at College Lake.
 
David Suddjian
Capitola



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This morning a GOLDEN EAGLE made one circle over the upper part of Meder 
Canyon in Santa Cruz, then flew off toward the north. It appeared to be a 
second- 

or third-year bird.
A warbler calling in the area of the upper canyon springs sounded like either 
a Nashville or a Virginia's, but it never came out in the open.  It was in 
the willow patch above the road in an area of blooming German Ivy, which also 
had several foraging Townsend's and at least one Orange-crowned Warblers.  
The dark morph (dark brown and reddish) Red-tailed Hawk that has been staying 
around the area was perched in a eucalyptus in the central part of the canyon.
Steve Gerow



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This morning at about 9:30 I saw the Summer Tanager on 
the new blooms in the eucalyptus grove at Natural Bridges 
(south turn from the back entrance)  Also an 
Orange-crowned Warbler flew into the eucs.

Good luck tomorrow!


Larry Selman
http://MostlyBirds.com  (Pics from Cosemnes River and 
                  Sacramento NWR - recent)

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This morning at Neary Lagoon I was surprised to see a kingbird fly into the 
area of the islands near the middle of the boardwalk across the marsh.  I 
assumed it was a Tropical, the only Kingbird at all likely in this area in 
December. I finally had some fairly good looks at it flycatching from riparian 
trees 

near the intersections of the old and new boardwalk sections (near the 
interpretive sign about fish.)  
The bird was in very worn plumage, but some things seemed wrong for Tropical, 
and I kept seeing hints of white on the outer tail feathers (which looked 
blacker than Tropical should, and the tail didn't seem particularly notched).  
The bill seemed on the small side, the upper breast seemed too gray, the 
primary 

projection seemed too long, the wing coverts lacked noticeable pale edges, 
the back didn't seem green enough.  Eventually it all added up to a WESTERN 
KINGBIRD, a highly unexpected species this time of year. The worn state of the 

plumage (with just a few fresh looking feathers) is a little surprising, as 
well, though I haven't looked up the details of the molt timing yet.
Anyway, some photos are at the link below, and any comments are welcome.
_http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561766999OWVieG_ 
(http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561766999OWVieG) 


Steve Gerow



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I had (2) GOLDEN EAGLES soaring over the Baldwin Creek parking area today for a 
short while before they headed inland over the hills. At least (1000) 
TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS were in the Pumpkin Patch just north of there. 


Kumaran Arul

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Apologies for the belated report, but I drove through Panoche on my way 
back from Los Banos last Monday, 12/10/07. By the road as it passes Little 
Panoche Reservoir I had some RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, and along Little 
Panoche Road about 9 miles in from I-5 I had a small flock of MOUNTAIN 
BLUEBIRDS. In the Valley itself, I had a flyover GOLDEN EAGLE a mile or so 
east of the Panoche/Little Panoche intersection. The Valley floor was less 
birdy than usual, maybe because it was a cold morning, but I got pictures 
of Lark Sparrow and Loggerhead Shrike. The last farm on the west end of 
the valley floor had some persimmons up on a tree that was attracting a 
variety of birds, especially NORTHERN FLICKERS and YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES 
-- the farmer was amenable to my coming into his yard to look and photo. 
Didn't end up getting any good shots, but it was fun to watch. 

At Paicines Reservoir, around mid-day, there was an adult  BALD EAGLE on 
the phone pole across the reservoir from the lookout, and John Hutz was 
watching it -- said he had seen a pretty close flyby by the bird. I set up 
to watch hoping for a flyby photo-op. The second BALDY flew in from the 
north end of the reservoir, but neither of them ventured over to the west 
side in the 45 minutes or so I stayed and watched. I have posted a very 
distant photo of the two on their perch, along with some other pics, at 
http://www.pbase.com/tgrey/panoche_dec07 .

My pictures from my weekend in Los Banos are at 
http://www.pbase.com/tgrey/losbanosdec07 -- including a photo sequence of 
a curious ROCK WREN who investigated the innards of a pickup truck!

Tom Grey
http://www.geocities.com/tgrey41
http://www.pbase.com/tgrey


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This morning the ROCK SANDPIPER was along West Cliff Drive between Woodrow 
and Columbia.
Yesterday (December 11) a PALM WARBLER was foraging among rusty equipment 
outside of  a welding shop at the corner of Fair Ave. and Ingalls St.  Also 
yesterday, Younger Lagoon had a variety of ducks, including 6 GREEN-WINGED 
TEAL, 1 

AMERICAN WIGEON and 1 GADWALL. A HOUSE WREN was in the scrub around the 
lagoon. A RED-THROATED LOON continued to fish in fresh water in Antonelli Pond. 

Monday (December 10) a NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER was near the tennis courts at 
Neary Lagoon, and a WILSON'S SNIPE flushed from the marsh near the south end.
Steve Gerow



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Please plan to attend the Santa Cruz Bird Club's post-CBC potluck December  
15 at approximately 5:30 p.m.
This year's dinner will be held at the Messiah Lutheran Church hall at 801  
High Street in Santa Cruz.  Bring a potluck item to share and enjoy great  
food, excellent company, door prizes, and the CBC tally. The bird club provides 

the following:  plates, plastic ware, cups, beverages, and  snacks.  See you 
there!
 
Nanci Adams
Outreach/SCBC



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I, too was up coast today scouting and enjoying the beautiful weather. Best 
spot was out of the count circle (I believe), the pond behind Swanton Berry 
Farm which had a small but varied group of ducks. Ducks here were: (1) 
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (f.), (1) N.PINTAIL (m.), (1) N.SHOVELER (f.),(3) GREEN WINGED 
TEAL, (1) BUFFLEHEAD, (2) RUDDY DUCKS, (2) RING-NECKED DUCKS, and a few 
Mallards plus Coots and Pied Billed Grebes. In the reeds with the Goldfinches 
was a PINE SISKIN and TRI-COLORED BLACKBIRDS were around the area. Other ducks 
up coast included (3) GREATER SCAUP with Scoters off Waddell Beach and (2) 
COMMON GOLDENEYE plus (2) BUFFLEHEAD, and (2) GREEN WINGED TEAL at Scott Creek 
marsh. One of these teal, a male, looked quite odd and could be a hybrid 
(perhaps with Blue-winged or ??), but it was molting and it's hard to be sure 
right now. Waddell Beach had the usual higher number of HERRING GULLS, plus 
(34) WHIMBREL and (19) MARBLED GODWITS. I stopped off at Davenport on the way 
back and scanning the ocean found a few N.FULMARS and quite a few RHINOCEROS 
AUKLETS flying around off shore. Finally, just up coast from Wilder Ranch, I 
found (2) PEREGRINE FALCONS in a field together, perhaps a pair, who took off 
flying together, scattering AM.PIPITS. I also saw about (7) TURKEY VULTURES 
today. 


Kumaran Arul



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  While scouting for the Christmas count, Wally and I scoped the  
ponds at Granite Rock Sand Plant today and found 3 female HOODED  
MERGANSERS very actively feeding in one of them. Quite a surprise,  
we  can't remember anything but Coots and Mallards ever being there  
before.

Lois and Wally Goldfrank

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Guatemala's eBird portal opened today. They even used one of my photos - this 
was alot of networking and much more work to come but I am thrilled beyond 
belief. 


If you're interested, take a look here:
 http://ebird.org/content/guatemala

I wonder what next year will bring?

Carol in Mayan territory
gretagarbo AT movistar.com.gt
www.monterey-bay.net/birds

Sorry, I meant LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE on Lone Tree Road.  Barb

This morning, December 11TH. Madeline Spencer
 , Mayrebelle Lukins, & I started out for a day of winter birding. Our 
destination was Lone Tree Rd. just east of Hollister. It is a 10 mile road that 
dead ends almost in Santa Clara county. The hoped for raptors were non existent 
on the way up. We did see large flocks of MEADOWLARKS at several stops. Also 
numerous WHITE-CROWNED & GOLDEN CROWNED SPARROWS. Less numerous, but still good 
numbers of SAVANNAH & LARK SPARROWS. Other birds of interest were single 
sightings of NORTHERN SHRIKE, YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE, & KILDEER. By noon we had 
reached the end of the road & coming down raptors came into view. We had good 
looks at a KESTREL, several RED-TAILED HAWKS, two separate & lengthy looks at 
typical light phases of FERRUGINOUS HAWKS The lighting was perfect. We also had 
a fly over of a PRAIRIE FALCON. Also at least a dozen WILD TURKEYS. At some of 
the ranches there were YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, a few RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, & 
several SAYS PHOEBES. A lovely day & a really 

 interesting area. I had not been here for many years. My last time was with 
the bird club led by Cliff Bixler. Thanks Cliff. We topped off the day with a 
late lunch of Tamales at The Progresso Tamale Parlor in Hollister. Barb 
Scharfenstein 

   

Shortly after noon today (11Dec) I was astonished to see amidst the 
shrubs/bamboo just outside a back window at 719 High St SC a male 
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER -- gone in a flash but viewed closely 
(12ft): warbler size/proportions/shape/behavior, slate-gray back, 
very dark cheek/neck, white belly, white wing-spot. A long search 
outside did not produce the bird a second time, but I will keep an eye peeled.

Todd Newberry


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For my first look at Sylvester this year, Dave Weber put me on the
continuing ROCK SANDPIPER this morning at the end of Woodrow with a large
flock of BLACK TURNSTONES and SURFBIRDS). We also saw a COMMON MURRE
entangled in kelp that was having difficulty moving its wings, so the MEW
GULLS and CALIFORNIA GULLS attacked it. A couple of SANDERLINGS, a couple of
WILLETS, a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and a GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL were also on the
rocks.
Phil
PS: (in case you are wondering, coz he is a Rock"y" Sandpiper, and has had
sequel after sequel after sequel).

Hi all, 
 
Yesterday, I birded the Moss Landing area and had the  following birds.  
Along Molera
rd. I had a Short-eared Owl flying around at 1:00 Pm.  I  also had a 
Rough-legged Hawk 
in this area.  At Moss Landing I had a R.T. Loon in the  boat harbor, a 
Red-necked Grebe
at the harbor mouth, and a Merlin terrorizing everthing in  sight.  
 
Kent Van Vuren 



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Bernadette Ramer and I had nice views of the continuing SUMMER TANAGER this
morning at around 9:30. It was with a large flock of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS
which were foraging in the flowering Eucs just by the Ranger station (along
the Delaware entrance road). The NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER continues on the East
side of the park too.
Phil Brown

When I reached the path along Soquel Creek in Capitola this morning (8:00 
a.m.), the first ducks 

that appeared were a pair of GREATER SCAUP. Downstream, by the trestle were 
three more Greater 

Scaup--two males and an immature female. I say "Greater" because of the head 
shape--lower and more 

rounded, as shown in Sibley.

The COMMON LOON continues by the Stockton Bridge, and another was diving out 
west of the wharf. 

Otherwise, no surprises.

Judy Donaldson

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I meant to say RED-THROATED LOON.

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Alexander Gaguine 
> Date: December 9, 2007 9:27:07 PM PST
> To: mbb AT biology.ucsc.edu
> Subject: Santa Cruz
>
> This evening a RED-NECKED LOON was swimming and diving in the San  
> Lorenzo River downstream of Riverside Bridge. It frequently swam  
> while stretching what seemed like 3/4 of its body out of the water.
>
> Friday morning the ROCK SANDPIPER was among about 75 BLACK  
> TURNSTONES and 25 SURFBIRDS (and one WILLET) on the rock shelves  
> just west of the SC Lighthouse.
>
> Alexander

GOLDEN EAGLE seen yesterday from meadow at Henry Cowell Park in Felton.  
Eagle was soaring  NNE.

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This morning the continuing AMERICAN REDSTART and SUMMER TANAGER were both in 
the area just east of the Delaware Avenue service road gate to Natural 
Bridges.  The redstart was foraging actively, but staying in the willows and 
eucalyptus right around the start of the trail.  It was calling quite a bit (a 
slurred chip, similar to a Yellow Warbler but a little thinner.) Some close 
looks 

showed it to be an immature male that is already showing features of 
first-spring (first alternate) plumage, with blackish lores and spotting on the 
throat. 

The tanager showed up briefly in the same area, then flew back toward the 
butterfly area. (It is definitely a Summer Tanager, and I think it is likely 
the 

same one that was at Antonelli Pond in November.)
In the Moore Creek portion of the park, it was interesting to have one each 
BEWICK'S, MARSH, and HOUSE WRENS in view and scolding simultaneously.  Another 
HOUSE WREN was at Antonelli Pond.
Also at Antonelli were an actively diving (apparently healthy) RED-THROATED 
LOON, and a male GREATER SCAUP.
A MERLIN later flew over Delaware Avenue near Almar.
Some photos of the American Redstart and a few other recent photos are on 
this page:
_http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558048393ygbSDm?start=60_ 
(http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558048393ygbSDm?start=60) 

Steve Gerow



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((To unsubscribe MBB, send the command UNSUBSCRIBE MBB  
to .)) 

This morning, Peggy Macres and I were about to go searching for the  
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Andrew Molera, when we met two other  
birders with the same goal, David and Jane Styer.  So the four of us  
walked to the Headlands trail together.  We stayed north of the river,  
on the (unmarked) Bobcat trail.  Walk through the campground, until  
you come to the well-marked sign for the Headlands trail to your  
right.  This takes you on top of the bluffs that swing out to protect  
the river mouth.  To the north, there is a fence line.  The SCISSOR- 
TAILED FLYCATCHER came out and used the fence line.  This is a young  
bird - quite pale in the face, with the tail not yet dramatically  
long, and only slighly forked.  David took a distant but identifiable  
picture of the bird, if anyone wants a look at it.

Peggy and I then went on to San Benito County.  Paicines Reservoir had  
two adult BALD EAGLES perched on a telephone pole.  We also spied two  
families of HOODED MERGANSERS, and three WILSON'S SNIPES.  At  
Pinnacles, we had great looks at three CALIFORNIA CONDORS.  This took  
place at around 2:30.  We were in the park, climbing toward the old  
visitor's center and ranger station.  There's a little pull off on the  
left.  We had stopped there, hoping for some other species, when Peggy  
spotted the three birds coming over the hillside.  They gave very  
close looks (though not at the proper angle for me to be able to read  
their tag numbers).  We also saw one more Condor near the campground/ 
new visitor's center as we were leaving around 4:00.  Also noteworthy  
were good looks at a male WILD TURKEY, cooperative WRENTITS and  
HUTTON'S VIREO, which allowed for lingering looks.  Somehow, though,  
we never heard nor saw a Canyon Wren, one of our hoped-for species.

Good birding

Jennifer Rycenga
Half Moon Bay, CA

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This evening a RED-NECKED LOON was swimming and diving in the San  
Lorenzo River downstream of Riverside Bridge. It frequently swam  
while stretching what seemed like 3/4 of its body out of the water.

Friday morning the ROCK SANDPIPER was among about 75 BLACK TURNSTONES  
and 25 SURFBIRDS (and one WILLET) on the rock shelves just west of  
the SC Lighthouse.

Alexander

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There were 3 LONG TAILED DUCKS at the Moss Landing harbour mouth this
morning,
Phil Brown & David Sidle

Mty Peninsula MBB'ers who may have passed over this query on MBB 
might watch that section of Ocean View Blvd for this loon. 
Yellow-billed has been reported there very occasionally over the winters.

Todd Newberry
Santa Cruz

****

At 10:53 AM 12/9/2007, Betsy Buchalter Adler wrote:
><. . .> about 40 minutes ago, walking home along the Pacific Grove 
>Rec Trail halfway between Lovers Point and Hopkins Marine Reserve 
>(heading toward the latter), I saw a loon in the high surf, 
>surprisingly close to shore. It was pale muddy grey-brown-black with 
>a thick pale yellow bill. <. . .> Once home, I checked the books, 
>but the only thing in Sibley that looked at all like what I saw was 
>a juvenile YELLOW-BILLED LOON - that would be a rarity, hence 
>suspect, and in any case I didn't get a good enough view to be 
>sure.  The bill color could have been a trick of the light. <. . .>


((To unsubscribe MBB, send the command UNSUBSCRIBE MBB  
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Possibly also a loon-y question, but just in case: about 40 minutes ago, 
walking home along the Pacific Grove Rec Trail halfway between Lovers Point and 
Hopkins Marine Reserve (heading toward the latter), I saw a loon in the high 
surf, surprisingly close to shore. It was pale muddy grey-brown-black with a 
thick pale yellow bill. I tried to get more detail but the surf was so high 
that by the time I got the bird in view again, either it dove or a wave 
obscured it. Once home, I checked the books, but the only thing in Sibley that 
looked at all like what I saw was a juvenile YELLOW-BILLED LOON - that would be 
a rarity, hence suspect, and in any case I didn't get a good enough view to be 
sure. The bill color could have been a trick of the light. And of course the 
wonderful new camera (thanks to all MBB'ers who gave me such good advice on the 
purchase) was at home so I have no photo to share. Any ideas? 


Betsy Buchalter Adler
(who will take her camera next time!)

--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
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�A`�0D0�0�$��f���h��Z����y�

Hey all, 

 

Today around noon I saw a RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER at Frontier Ranch at Mission
Springs Conference Center just outside Scotts Valley.  This could be the
same individual that wintered last year.  If you would like to see this
bird, please email me off list at wscottsmithson AT gmail.com and I'll get
permission and directions for you.  I also stopped by the pond at Spring
Lakes Golf Course and saw a pair of BUFFLEHEAD and a female COMMON
GOLDENEYE.  

 

Good birding,

 

Scott Smithson

The Santa Cruz Bird Club trip this morning started out cold in 
temperature and slow in birds, but as the day warmed up, so did the 
birding. Roaring Camp was very quiet. Our annual surprises at the wooden 
bridge were a well camouflaged Great Blue Heron, a Double-crested 
Cormorant and a flying coot. (Yes, Todd, coots do fly.) A probable 
Sharp-shinned Hawk flew over and Northern Flickers were calling and 
swooping by. American Crows outnumbered the Common Ravens, and we had 
ample opportunities to ponder their differences.

After seeing the resident Red-Shouldered Hawk, I made the statement that 
we hardly see any raptors on this trip. One by one, three White-tailed 
Kites  and an American Kestrel appeared, followed by an accipiter 
(probably a Cooper's Hawk). American Goldfinches, White-crowned and 
Golden-crowned sparrows were along the entrance road.

But the trail alongside the dam out to Zayante Creek and Graham Hill was 
stellar. Thanks to the sharp eyes of the group, and particularly Alex, 
we added Red-breasted Sapsucker (an obliging individual) and enough 
Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers to allow everyone to see relative bill sizes 
and most to see the lack of spotting on the outer tail feathers of the 
Hairy Woodpeckers.

At the campground we finally found Acorn Woodpeckers which until then 
had been notable for their absence. Then Alex glimpsed a Pileated 
Woodpecker. We quickly followed its path and located the bird, a female, 
and were rewarded with excellent relaxed views.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets were abundant, as were Anna's Hummingbirds. Other 
species were House and Purple Finches, Oak Titmouse, Black Phoebe, 
Bewick's Wren, Red-tailed Hawk, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Cedar 
Waxwing, Townsend's Warbler, single Audubon's and Orange-crowned 
warblers, Steller's Jay, Western Scrub-jay, Wrentit, Dark-eyed Junco and 
just as we were leaving a cacophony of Pygmy Nuthatches.

Thanks to all the folks who came on the trip and were such interactive 
participants. It was great fun.

Bonnie


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to .)) 

I made a quick trip out to Paicines Reservoir yesterday after a  
morning meeting in Hollister. Water level remains low and most of the  
ducks (Common Merganser, Buffelhead, etc.) were a the far end.  
Noteworthy were 5 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS and an adult BALD EAGLE  
flyover, the first time I've had a BAEA there in about five visits.   
GREATER YELLOWLEGS were down to one individual from what I saw.

Near Tres Pi�os, an adult MERLIN showed characteristics of the  
richardsonii subspecies.


Clay K
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Male and female PILEATED WOODPECKERS were working on a snag on the Powder 
Mill Road (near the picnic table) in Henry Cowell around 9:00 this a.m. An hour 

later, they were still there! Pam Myers & Cindy Haug



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Hello Todd--
	I have a nice new copy of Pyle's ID Guide Part 1 that I would be happy to
lend to you, but I'm way over here in eastern Fresno County. I'd think
someone closer to you should have one, but if not, we can work out a way to
get it to you.

Bev Brock
Sanger, Fresno County, CA


> [Original Message]
> From: Todd Newberry 
> To: 
> Date: 12/7/2007 12:26:03 PM
> Subject: [MBB] book request
>
>
> I would greatly appreciate the chance to borrow for a few weeks a 
> copy of Peter Pyle's IDENTIFICATION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS vol 1. 
> (Not the distribution list but the i.d. book.) The UCSC library does 
> not have it (:-\). If you would loan me your copy, please reply 
> offline, and we can work out a way to do that.
>
> Todd Newberry
> Santa Cruz
>
>
> ((To unsubscribe MBB, send the command UNSUBSCRIBE MBB  to .))



((To unsubscribe MBB, send the command UNSUBSCRIBE MBB  
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I stopped by the ocean today hoping the weather system would have stirred 
things up. Sure enough, there were many birds over the water with numerous 
gulls, cormorants, murres, and loons flying every which way. Most notable were 
my first NORTHERN FULMARS from shore in SCZ for this fall/winter. One was 
loafing fairly close to shore, but most were further out and I saw about (7) 
from a few different spots. Other sightings included (11) FORSTER'S TERNS, (2) 
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, (2) HORNED GREBES, (6) small ducks flying over the 
water (looked like Green winged teal), and (2) HERRING GULLS on the DeAnza 
rocks amidst many others. 


Kumaran Arul

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Thanks to the many respondents. A neighbor has loaned me her copy of 
Pyle's I.D. book, so easy to pick up almost just down the street!, 
and so I am set up nicely for my winter project.

Todd Newberry
Santa Cruz


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4 hardy souls made a show of it this morning at Wilder, Norm, Jim, Alice(?
apologies if I got that wrong), and myself . The weather continually
threatened, but never actually broke. We went out to the overlook, with lots
of Zonotrochia seep noises around us, but little seen. AMERICAN PIPITS flew
over, and foraged on the beach, and Jim managed to put his scope on a SNOWY
PLOVER hiding in a pile of kelp. Distant raptors included a couple of
NORTHERN HARRIERS, RED TAILED HAWK, TURKEY VULTURE and a KESTREL on the wire
at the parking lot. SANDERLINGS visited the beach with one WESTERN/LEAST
SANDPIPER (too far to distinguish). In the huge surf were a large flock of
Aechmophorus grebes, again too far for separation of Western/Clarke's. A pod
of Dolphins (one or two leaping completely out of the waves), a Sea Otter,
and Seals were all out in the bay, despite the huge waves (spray was being
flung higher than the clifftops, 50 feet up at least). One COMMON MURRE was
seen out on the sea. WESTERN MEADOWLARKS and MOURNING DOVES perched on the
wires, and Norm wondered how to separate BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS from RedWinged
in flight as they travel away from you (Steve?). From the flight call I
thought BREWER'S. We came across a group of Gulls sheltering in the lee of a
rock, so easy to examine as they were very reluctant to move. In amongst 15
or so WESTERN GULLS was one HERRING GULL, and a GLAUCOUS-WINGED gull. Close
examination by Norm of a 1st year bird with a light brown "frosty"
appearance was called THAYER'S (pale edging to the primaries was the
conclusive field mark). Some CORMORANTS were clinging to the cliff face (on
the lee side again), and we put the scope on them to separate a couple of
PELAGIC from the BRANDT'S.

On my way out I found a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER  on the tree in front of the
ranch house. It was desparately looking for some space to make new a hole,
or to find one that had not already been throughly sucked dry on previous
visits.

Phil Brown

I would greatly appreciate the chance to borrow for a few weeks a 
copy of Peter Pyle's IDENTIFICATION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS vol 1. 
(Not the distribution list but the i.d. book.) The UCSC library does 
not have it (:-\). If you would loan me your copy, please reply 
offline, and we can work out a way to do that.

Todd Newberry
Santa Cruz


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to .)) 

On Thursday, there were at least 37 GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES on Kearney  
St, along with a Greater Yellowlegs in the restoration area. No Hooded  
Mergansers were present.  East Struve Slough had an AMERICAN AVOCET,  
unusual away from the Pajaro Rivermouth these days.

Wednesday morning, 5 TUNDRA SWANS were flying east over Highway One  
near West Struve Slough.

Clay Kempf

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:

A Santa Cruz Bird Club field trip is scheduled for tomorrow morning to Wilder 
Ranch State Park.  At this point, however, it appears that rain is likely to 
continue into tomorrow morning, at least as showers.  There is also a 
prediction of fairly strong wind tomorrow beginning shortly after the storm 
passes 

through. At this point, it seems like the best plan is to cancel tomorrows 
walk. 

I will check weather forecasts and conditions again later tonight.  If 
conditions change and it looks like chances are good that there will be a 
window of 

reasonable birding weather during the 8:00 to 10:00 AM period tomorrow 
morning, I will go ahead with the walk. Otherwise, the field trip will be 
called 

off, and we will try again on a future Friday.
Steve Gerow


 
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(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)A Santa Cruz Bird Club field trip is scheduled for tomorrow morning to Wilder 
Ranch State Park.  At this point, however, it appears that rain is likely to 
continue into tomorrow morning, at least as showers.  There is also a 
prediction of fairly strong wind tomorrow beginning shortly after the storm 
passes 

through. At this point, it seems like the best plan is to cancel tomorrows 
walk. 

I will check weather forecasts and conditions again later tonight.  If 
conditions change and it looks like chances are good that there will be a 
window of 

reasonable birding weather during the 8:00 to 10:00 AM period tomorrow 
morning, I will go ahead with the walk. Otherwise, the field trip will be 
called 

off, and we will try again on a future Friday.
Steve Gerow



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