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Updated on Thursday, July 2 at 03:47 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.
Long-eared Owl

02 Jul Cliff Swallows (Novato) ["Maggie Rufo" ]
30 Jun Bodega Head Birds [DANIEL EDELSTEIN ]
29 Jun Birders WANTED: 2009 South Marin CBC 12/26/09 []
29 Jun Birders WANTED: 2009 South Marin CBC 12/26/09 []
29 Jun Birders WANTED: 2009 South Marin CBC 12/26/09 []
28 Jun Yellow-billed Loon Bodega Harbor ["Ruth Rudesill" ]
27 Jun Rodeo Lagoon, Marin Headlands - Willet []
26 Jun Black Rail: Las Gallinas Ponds/Sloughs [DANIEL EDELSTEIN ]
26 Jun Help Protect Petaluma's Ecotourism [Shollenberger Park ]
25 Jun local interest Spring Lake ["Ruth Rudesill" ]
25 Jun White Pelicans (Novato) [Maggie Rufo ]
25 Jun shorebirds in Richardson Bay ["maineprairieboy" ]
24 Jun Black Rail ["Danny Swicegood" ]
23 Jun Kent Lake Birds [DANIEL EDELSTEIN ]
22 Jun Northbay Birds Seen in Alaska [Maggie Rufo ]
21 Jun request ID help Hybrid Canada Goose? Richardson Bay ["masiegel3" ]
17 Jun Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak [Rigdon Currie ]
17 Jun Re: Re: bird activity [Joseph Morlan ]
17 Jun Re: bird activity ["Maggie Rufo" ]
17 Jun Tanagers at Sugarloaf ["Kathleen" ]
17 Jun bird activity []
17 Jun Northern Parula in Vacaville ["David Bell" ]
17 Jun Bald eagles, again ["jules_evens" ]
16 Jun the last coupla' days [Rich Stallcup ]
16 Jun RE: Bald Eagle [Jennifer Michaud ]
16 Jun Skaggs Island Update ["torusert" ]
14 Jun Gulf of the Farallones cruise June 13 [David Wimpfheimer ]
15 Jun Bodega Head: 14 June 2009 ["Cindy Lieurance" ]
13 Jun Bald Eagle ["Jungletouch" ]
12 Jun Summer Bird Camp for Kids - June 15-19th (Ages 8-14) ["torusert" ]
11 Jun Cattle Egret at Las Gallinas, San Rafael [Len Blumin ]
11 Jun Cattle Egrets at Laguna De Santa Rosa ["rhysingup" ]
10 Jun Dutra Asphalt Plant follow up... ["torusert" ]
09 Jun White Tailed Kites at Shollenberger ["rhysingup" ]
9 Jun Tragic news about Luke Cole [David Wimpfheimer ]
09 Jun Viansa Wetlands - Sonoma ["torusert" ]
8 Jun the past three days [Rich Stallcup ]
07 Jun American redstart at Chimney Rock [Jeff Miller ]
07 Jun White-eyed Vireo at Point Reyes Lighthouse Residence Trees and more ["rosita94598" ]
07 Jun White-eyed Vireo + American Redstart- Marin Co.- 06 June 2009 ["Cindy Lieurance" ]
5 Jun 6/4 Pt. Reyes [katherine francone ]
5 Jun late shorebirds at Point Reyes [David Wimpfheimer ]
4 Jun Spring Lake local interest ["Ruth Rudesill" ]
4 Jun Peregrine Falcon fledglings at Chimney Rock [Len Blumin ]
4 Jun 6/3 on the O.P. [Rich Stallcup ]
04 Jun Shollenberger Heron/Egret Colony Thriving - Final Dutra Vote 6/9 []
03 Jun Long-tailed Duck at Bodega Bay ["peter_colasanti" ]
2 Jun in the wave... [Rich Stallcup ]
1 Jun Outer Pt Reyes Sunday - PM Update ["Richard Cimino" ]
1 Jun Re: Outer Pt Reyes Sunday - PM Update []
31 May Willowside Chat... ["Bill Doyle" ]
31 May Outer Pt Reyes Sunday ["Ruth Rudesill" ]
30 May Point Reyes today [Ken Wilson ]
31 May Re: Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at CostCo, Novato ["judisierra" ]
30 May Yellow-breasted Chat ["Ruth Rudesill" ]
27 May Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at CostCo, Novato ["perfect53" ]
30 May Rodeo Lagoon 5/30 - Brant []
30 May Black Swan at Las Gallinas Ponds ["Joan Robins" ]
29 May Vagrants at Outer Point, PRNS [Len Blumin ]
29 May Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Fish Docks ["Leslie Flint" ]
28 May SUMMER BIRD CAMP - SOUND WORKSHOP - SHOREBIRD SERIES ["torusert" ]
28 May Re: Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change [David Green ]
27 May Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change [Mary Keitelman ]
27 May Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change [Mary Keitelman ]
27 May Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change [Mary Keitelman ]
27 May White-faced Ibis, Sebastopol [Terrie Miller ]
27 May Apologies, thought I was posting "Birdogging" to SFBirds, not NBB. ["mr_eric_osterhaus" ]
27 May Bird Dogging at El Polin ["mr_eric_osterhaus" ]
26 May This morning on the O.P. [Rich Stallcup ]
26 May Phoebe at the Fish Docks (Point Reyes) ["Natalie" ]
26 May Fish Docks (Pt. Reyes) Today []
25 May mealworm source? ["Claudia" ]
26 May Eastern Phoebe - Pt Reyes, Fish Docks ["mr_storey" ]
24 May Indigo Bunting, N. Parula, RB Grosbeak & A. Bittern at Point Reyes [David Wimpfheimer ]
24 May Swainson's Hawk ["Ruth Rudesill" ]
23 May Northern Parula at Point Reyes Lighthouse ["Natalie" ]

Subject: Cliff Swallows (Novato)
From: "Maggie Rufo" <magwhls AT comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:47:12 -0000
Dear Birders,

If you want to get a nice close look at some baby Cliff Swallows take yourself 
and your `nocs over to the Rowland Cinema on Rowland Way (exit from 101 at 
Rowland and right before the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, turn left on Rowland 
WAY – the cinema will on the right). Some of the nests have house sparrows in 
them, but the swallow nests have really cute babies right now – they are 
sitting in the openings and their bills start opening the minute they see mom 
or dad flying in. It's interesting that, if you face the doors, and look up, on 
the left side up by the nests there's a speaker. Right under the speaker is a 
swallow nest, on the left of the speaker are either empty nests or ones with 
house sparrows, but all the ones on the right of the speaker are either empty 
or have cliffies. Bird segregation! If you happen to see any theater employees 
outside thank them for doing the right thing and letting the birds nest. If any 
theater patrons come out and start complaining about the goo on the ground take 
the opportunity to butt in and tell them all the amazing factoids you know 
about Cliff Swallows – it could be a movie preview with that guy who has the 
movie preview voice saying: 


"In a world where only the strong survive, Cliff Swallows wing their way all 
the way here from Argentina SIMPLY to have babies and eat MOSQUITOS! Braving 
bodies of water, storms, cell phone towers, wind mills and cars they battle 
their way north AGAINST ALL ODDS just to have SEX!!!" 


Well if a governor can go to Argentina to have sex why shouldn't some birds fly 
here from Argentina to do IT? I'd like to see the governor get to Argentina 
without a plane though! 


I always emphasize the mosquito factor with birds and bats that eat them 
because we humans all hate mosquitos right? When I was in Alaska the mosquitos 
were so bad in some places it was unbearable. Ever been in an outhouse filled 
with the whine of mosquitos? Ever try to pee without bearing more than a few 
precious inches of your precious parts, just enough not to pee on yourself? 
Quite unbearable, all puns intended. There were 21 people in my class and we 
stopped at this big sign at the Arctic Circle, the one that says ARCTIC CIRCLE, 
where everyone stops to get their photo taken. Well, you can barely tell who's 
who in the pictures because we all have netted hoods on! The mosquitos were in 
huge, merciless clouds there. The minute the photos were taken we all ran 
screaming back to our vans, which by the time 21 people got in so did at least 
500 mosquitos! Sounds horrible right? Wrong! It was so fun! I kept having to 
remind myself what good mosquitos are. I kept thinking why, why do they exist? 
They torment baby caribou so badly that some die from blood loss! Caribou, by 
the way, have the hardest life! I don't know why they even bother existing! You 
should hug one (figuratively of course) if you ever see one. They need love. 
Anyway, we all reminded each other that mosquitos are what feed many of the 
amazing birds we saw up there. If not for them, there would be no baby 
yellowlegs, and phalaropes, as a small example. 


This was about Cliff Swallows right? Go see the babies before they fledge! 
Sorry this was so long, I get all excited when I start thinking about Alaska! 


Maggie Rufo
Novato
Subject: Bodega Head Birds
From: DANIEL EDELSTEIN <edelstein AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:58:30 -0400 (EDT)
Bodega Head, Sonoma Co., 6/30/09

Ala recent reports, today I observed some birds of local interest/"usual 
suspects," including: 


- PACIFIC LOON
- PIGEON GUILLEMOT (7 off the head)
- COMMON MURRE
- BLACK OYSTERCATCHER
- PELAGIC CORMORANT
- WESTERN GULL (and young)
- HEERMAN'S GULL

More expressly, I pursued a view of the recently reported Yellow-Billed Loon. 
No viewing pleasure. 


Regards and good birding,



Daniel Edelstein

Novato, CA (Bay Area)

&


Ellison Bay, WI

http://www.warblerwatch.com 

http://warblerwatch.blogspot.com 
(my blog devoted to wood-warblers)

http://danielsmerrittclasses.blogspot.com 
(my blog focused on classes I teach at 
Merritt College in Oakland, CA)

12 Kingfisher Court
Novato, CA 94949-6628 USA
415-382-1827 (voice & DSL fax)
Subject: Birders WANTED: 2009 South Marin CBC 12/26/09
From: polskatata AT yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:38:28 -0700 (PDT)
I know it's still early but I'm going to need people so I figured I'd get this 
out so folks can mark the date. 


Anyone interested in birding South Marin County December 26, 2009, for the 
Christmas Bird Count please respond. 


Let me know if you have area preference and your skill level (approximate.) I 
need area leaders too! 


My apologies to anyone who gets this e-mail more than once.

Dominik Mosur
South Marin CBC '09
Subject: Birders WANTED: 2009 South Marin CBC 12/26/09
From: polskatata AT yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:38:28 -0700 (PDT)
I know it's still early but I'm going to need people so I figured I'd get this 
out so folks can mark the date. 


Anyone interested in birding South Marin County December 26, 2009, for the 
Christmas Bird Count please respond. 


Let me know if you have area preference and your skill level (approximate.) I 
need area leaders too! 


My apologies to anyone who gets this e-mail more than once.

Dominik Mosur
South Marin CBC '09



      

((To unsubscribe MBB, send the command UNSUBSCRIBE MBB  
to .))
Subject: Birders WANTED: 2009 South Marin CBC 12/26/09
From: polskatata AT yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:38:28 -0700 (PDT)
I know it's still early but I'm going to need people so I figured I'd get this 
out so folks can mark the date. 


Anyone interested in birding South Marin County December 26, 2009, for the 
Christmas Bird Count please respond. 


Let me know if you have area preference and your skill level (approximate.) I 
need area leaders too! 


My apologies to anyone who gets this e-mail more than once.

Dominik Mosur
South Marin CBC '09
Subject: Yellow-billed Loon Bodega Harbor
From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:14:48 -0700
Ruth Tonascia photographed a Yellow-billed Loon changing into alternate plumage 
on Bodega Harbor, near Campbell Cove on Friday June 26th. 


Roger Marlowe, Peter Colasanti and I were there today and looked, but did not 
see this bird. However, it was low tide most of the day and once the tide came 
in, traffic prevented us from getting into Doran. 


There were some returning shorebirds - Western Sandpipers, Black-bellied 
Plovers, lots of Willets and Marbled Godwits. A couple Dowitchers. Many Am 
White Pelicans. 

There were several Rhinoceros Auklets off the head too.

Peter spotted and Roger photographed a small lone goose - a Cackling Goose with 
a light breast - which form? Need to research that. 


Good Birding,
Ruthie  Rudesill
Kenwood CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Rodeo Lagoon, Marin Headlands - Willet
From: WGDLegge AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:04:52 -0400
A quick visit to the lagoon this a.m. produced a flock of 19 Willet on the 
western shore of the main lagoon near the footbridge, the first returning 
shorebirds I’ve had this year. 


Also of note was an adult Green Heron and several juvenile Virginia’s Rail 
venturing out into the open around the fringes of the inner lagoon, suggesting 
they’ve had a productive breeding season at this site. 


 

William Legge

Mill Valley, CA  


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Black Rail: Las Gallinas Ponds/Sloughs
From: DANIEL EDELSTEIN <edelstein AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:27:01 -0400 (EDT)
Las Gallinas Ponds/Sloughs, San Rafael, Marin Co., 6/26/09

Late this afternoon, approximately 1.5 miles from the main parking lot (after 
heading straight over the cement bridge at the parking lot and, one mile later, 
heading north on the single track dirt trail after you pass the pines near Pond 
3), 

I heard BLACK RAIL within the slough adjacent to the pathway (overgrown in 
spots with star thistle!). 


Good birding,



Daniel Edelstein

Novato, CA (Bay Area)

&


Ellison Bay, WI

http://www.warblerwatch.com 

http://warblerwatch.blogspot.com 
(my blog devoted to wood-warblers)

http://danielsmerrittclasses.blogspot.com 
(my blog focused on classes I teach at 
Merritt College in Oakland, CA)

12 Kingfisher Court
Novato, CA 94949-6628 USA
415-382-1827 (voice & DSL fax)
Subject: Help Protect Petaluma's Ecotourism
From: Shollenberger Park <saveshollenberger AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:08:48 -0700
PETALUMA WETLANDS
A BIRDER’S DREAM

At the end of July, the new Ellis Creek trail will be opened to the
public, adding over two miles to an existing trail system in the
Petaluma wetlands that includes strolls through Alman Marsh, and
around Shollenberger Park. One will be able to walk almost eight miles
(roundtrip) starting at the Sheraton Hotel located at the Petaluma
Marina. This will only enhance what many (Greenbelt Alliance, S.F.
Chronicle, etc.) have already described as a top destination for
nature lovers.

The 500-acre contiguous wetlands, left unspoiled, have much to offer -
200 species of birds, 25 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians,
over 100 types of plants, with trails that meander through or are
adjacent to a variety of habitats ranging from seasonal ponds,
uplands, to salt marshes. At points in the trail one walks alongside
the Petaluma River. The headquarters of the Point Reyes Bird
Observatory (PRBO) is also located next to Shollenberger. PRBO is
world famous for its research efforts and provides educational
services to the public on-site. Additionally, the Petaluma Wetlands
Alliance (PWA) conducts wetland tours. Its website features hundreds
of wildlife photos, http://www.petalumawetlands.org/.

Properly promoted, the wetlands will attract thousands of birders and
other eco-tourists to Petaluma. That has been the City of Petaluma and
PWA’s goal for several years, awaiting the opening of the Ellis Creek
segment of the trail. The success of this effort will greatly depend,
however, upon maintaining the purity of the wetlands from harmful
development, such as the Dutra asphalt and recycling facility proposed
across the river from Shollenberger. Not only would the plant destroy
scenic vistas along the Petaluma River but also create excessive noise
and pollutants potentially harmful to the park animals, and even human
visitors.

Visits from regional and national birders could enliven the local
economy, creating jobs as well as producing sales and tax revenues,
for birding is one of the most popular hobbies in this country. A 2001
study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produced amazing numbers.
There are 46 million birders who travel to locations like the Petaluma
wetlands, annually. They create 32 billion dollars in retail sales, 13
billion in federal and state taxes, and are responsible for over
800,000 jobs! Even the small town of Arcata, California, draws 150,000
visitors a year for its 150 acres of wetlands.


Bob Dyer, Senior Docent, Petaluma Wetlands

--
Help Save Shollenberger Park
http://www.SaveShollenberger.com/


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

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Subject: local interest Spring Lake
From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:18:24 -0700
This afternoon I walked around Spring Lake Reg Park in eastern Santa Rosa. 
Nothing real exciting, but noted the following: 


There are dozens of Canada Geese including now grown babies in the Swimming 
Lagoon while there are swimmers in there! Yuck - I wouldn't go in that water! 
Also the hybrid White-frontedxCanada Goose was with them. 


Saw Mom and Pop Cal Quail with 16 babies - it's always good to see them!

At least one the Clark's Grebes are still on the lake.

Many Vaux's Swifts over the Montgomery Dr dam.

The Osprey was fishing too.    

Several Swainson's Thrushes were calling in the thickets.

Good Birding,

Ruthie Rudesill
Kenwood CA



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: White Pelicans (Novato)
From: Maggie Rufo <magwhls AT comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:17:08 +0000 (UTC)
If anyone fancies American White Pelicans, theres a large group of these 
beautiful water ballerinas on Scottsdale Pond right now (Rowland Blvd. exit 
from 101). 


Maggie Rufo
Novato


In wildness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau
Subject: shorebirds in Richardson Bay
From: "maineprairieboy" <maineprairieboy AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:54:35 -0000
In the last week, even before the summer solstice, a few WILLETS, GREATER 
YELLOWLEGS and LONG-BILLED CURLEWS have returned to Richardson Bay after a 2 
month absence. I find them on Pickleweed Island south of Harbor Cove Way in 
Strawberry (Mill Valley). Very low morning tides will not help the early 
birder. The viewing is better in late morning. 


The MARBLED GODWITS (about 20) are spending the breeding season in Richardson 
Bay. 


At high tide Monday afternoon June 22 a flock of perhaps 80 willets landed at 
Triangle Marsh on Paradise Drive across from Ring Mountain. 


Bob Hinz
Mill Valley
Subject: Black Rail
From: "Danny Swicegood" <ds60 AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:48:42 -0700
This morning about 7:30 I heard a Black Rail calling down in the wetland
open space in our neighborhood in Benicia.  For several years a Mockingbird
has been imitating a Black Rail from the opposite end of the open space, but
this one was the real thing.  Nice yard bird - #82.

Danny Swicegood
Benicia, CA

“Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say
something clever.”
Aristophanes, 424 BCE
Subject: Kent Lake Birds
From: DANIEL EDELSTEIN <edelstein AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:59:23 -0400 (EDT)
Birds of local interest, Kent Lake, Marin Co., 6/23/09
(within two miles of where the car bridge crosses over the Lake)

- SWAINSON'S THRUSH
- HERMIT THRUSH
- BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER
- ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
- WILSON'S WARBLER
- WINTER WREN
- OSPREY

Good birding,



Daniel Edelstein

Novato, CA (Bay Area)

&


Ellison Bay, WI

http://www.warblerwatch.com 

http://warblerwatch.blogspot.com 
(my blog devoted to wood-warblers)

http://danielsmerrittclasses.blogspot.com 
(my blog focused on classes I teach at 
Merritt College in Oakland, CA)

12 Kingfisher Court
Novato, CA 94949-6628 USA
415-382-1827 (voice & DSL fax)
Subject: Northbay Birds Seen in Alaska
From: Maggie Rufo <magwhls AT comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:24:06 -0700
Dear Birders,

I have recently returned from a two-week ecology course in central Alaska 
(Seward, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Brooks Range and over to the tundra). I got 
about 15 new life birds and also saw many familiar faces, albeit in 
different garb. The most interesting familiar bird that I experienced is 
the Lesser Yellowlegs. One night (which was day because the sun doesn't 
really set) my friend and I were walking down a dry, gravel stream bed not 
far from Exit Glacier. Suddenly a bird shot out almost from under our feet! 
We looked down and saw four perfectly cryptically colored eggs and then 
heard a crazed bird flying around above us calling "weep weep weep."  This 
went on for quite some time until I got worried about the bird's eggs 
getting cold. I told my friend we must move away from the nest immediately 
so the bird could return, but it still kept flying around for a very long 
time. Later we figured out that it was a Lesser Yellowlegs and we saw many 
on our trip. They behaved differently up there. Mainly that they were often 
seen perched on the tops of Black or White Spruce trees instead of down on 
the mud looking for food. I don't know if we were seeing one bird standing 
guard while its mate nested or if it was a bird that got disturbed off its 
nest. We also had a Black-bellied Plover at a campsite doing very effective 
broken wing displays - very much like a Killdeer. I guess all plovers do 
this behavior. Here's a list of the birds that we saw, in case anyone's 
interested, followed by a list of the mammals that we saw. We also, sadly, 
saw many mammal parts left behind by hunters. Up there animals are just 
seen as a resource to be harvested.

Maggie Rufo
Novato

>American Golden-Plover
>American Kestrel
>American Robin
>American Tree Sparrow
>American Wigeon
>Arctic Tern
>Bald Eagle
>Bank Swallow
>Barrow's Goldeneye
>Black-billed Magpie
>Black-capped Chickadee
>Black-legged Kittiwake
>Blackpoll Warbler
>Bohemian Waxwing
>Bufflehead
>Canada Goose
>Cliff Swallow
>Common Loon
>Common Merganser
>Common Murre
>Common Raven
>Common Redpoll
>Dark-eyed Junco
>Double-crested Cormorant
>European Starling
>Fox Sparrow
>Glaucous-winged Gull
>Golden Eagle
>Gray Jay
>Great Horned Owl
>Green-winged Teal
>Harlequin Duck
>Hermit Thrush
>Herring Gull
>Hoary Redpoll
>Horned Puffin
>Lapland Longspur - a male doing beautiful courtship dances and calls
>Least Sandpiper
>Lesser Scaup
>Lesser Yellowlegs
>Long-tailed Duck
>Long-tailed Jaeger
>Mallard
>Mew Gull
>Northern Harrier
>Northern Hawk Owl
>Northern Pintail
>Northern Shovelers
>Pectoral Sandpiper
>Pelagic Cormorant
>Peregrine Falcon
>Pigeon Guillemot
>Pine Grosbeak
>Red-tailed Hawk
>Red-necked Grebe
>Red-necked Phalarope
>Red-throated Loon on a nest
>Rock Pigeon
>Rock Ptarmigan
>Ruby-crowned Kinglet
>Savannah Sparrow
>Semipalmated Plover
>Short-eared Owl
>Snow Bunting
>Spruce Grouse
>Stellar Jay
>Surf Scoter
>Tree Swallow
>Tundra Swan
>Northern Wheatear
>White-crowned sparrow
>Willow Ptarmigan
>Wilson's Warbler
>Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle's)

Mammals:
Alaska Moose
American Beaver
Arctic Ground Squirrel
Brown Bear
Dall Sheep
Dall's Porpoise
Humpback Whale
Mountain Goat
Muskrat
North American Porcupine
Northern Coyote
Northern Sea Otter
Porcupine/Grant's Caribou
Red Fox
Red Squirrel
Red-backed Vole
Snowshoe Hare
Steller Sea Lion
Subject: request ID help Hybrid Canada Goose? Richardson Bay
From: "masiegel3" <masiegel3 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:00:14 -0000
Location is Strawberry Cove from Seminary Drive in Mill Valley. This morning I 
saw 27 Canada Geese on the water with 1 other goose of same size and overall 
shape. It had a white neck streaked with gray or brown, white head, & dark 
bill. backlighting obscured head and bill detail, but I think the bill was 
smaller than the others'. The tail was little longer and the femoral tract had 
more white showing than the other birds. Thanks for any suggestions! Marjorie 
Siegel
Subject: Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
From: Rigdon Currie <rigdon AT horizoncable.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:14:15 -0700
I just added a new bird to my yard list: a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak  
just visited our feeder!

I just compiled a list of birds which are nesting or have nested in or  
very close to my yard at 1 Balboa St., Inverness Park:

Wood Duck - nested up Haggerty Creek a few years ago
Osprey - nest just up the southern ridge; cannot see nest from yard  
but see and hear birds regularly
Red-shouldered Hawk - seen frequently in back yard and across Sir  
Francis Drake on wires
Red-tailed Hawk - two hatched, at least one fledged this year, in nest  
viewable form my back yard
California Quail - just saw brand new chicks, about 2 inches long  
chasing their mom. Quail are precocial  which means they can walk  
right after hatching
Great-horned Owl - prior years, not this one, up the hill on both  
sides and in back, both genders heard nightly in spring
Anna's Hummingbirds - regular at feeders
Allen's Hummingbirds - ditto and males still displaying their u- 
shaped, back-and-fourth pattern
Belted Kingfisher - nested up Haggerty Creek a few years ago
Acorn Woodpecker - nesting tree up from the back of our yard
Downy Woodpecker - frequently calling now across Haggerty Creek
Hairy Woodpecker - ditto
Olive-sided Flycatcher - ringing call heard daily form yard up ridge  
to the south
Western Wood-Pewee - late arriver, not heard or seen as much this year  
as in past
Pacific Slope Flycatcher - regular nester in yard, one year right  
outside my office window
Black Phoebe - nesting now under peak of Apple Cottage roof, working  
hard all day to feed young
Tree Swallow - using nest box behind vegetable garden for several years
Violet-green Swallow - ditto but not this year
Cliff Swallow - nesting under north roof peak of main house
Barn Swallow - nested several years under garage roof peak but not  
this year
Stellar's Jay - irregular at feeder, usually heard or seen in back  
forest
Scrub Jay - regular at feeder
Chestnut-backed Chickadee - ditto, have seen adult feeding young just  
outside my window in a prior year
Oak titmouse - new in yard and west of Route 1, at feeder and very  
active
Brown Creeper - regular singer in and around yard
Bewick's Wren - years past but not his year
Winter Wren - resident, at least two pair
Swainson's Thrush - every year at least two pairs singing around yard
American Robin - ditto
Starling - regularly seen in big fir in front
Warbling Vireo - regular nesters
Cassin's Vireo - I heard one from my hot tub recently! Not regular by  
any means, new yard bird, a ringer on this list
Orange-crowned Warbler - hear them nearby, certainly nesting up the  
ridge to the south
Wilson's Warbler - regular nesters, usually two or three pairs
Black-headed Grosbeak - our showiest nesting bird, male seen feeding  
two young on our deck rail last night; at least two pair nesting
Spotted Towhee - residents
California Towhee - ditto
Song Sparrow - ditto
Brewer's Blackbird - more nesting every year, very obnoxious to Bubba  
(our Lab) and us. They'll disappear soon we hope
Dark-eyed Junco - many more here in winter but still a few
Purple Finch - residents
Pine Siskin - more regular this summer
American Goldfinch - many more this year than ever before

Rigdon Currie
1 Balboa Ave.
P.O. Box 1120
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956-1120
415-663-1755
415-663-1756 (fax)
415-999-5855 (mobile)
rigdon AT horizoncable.com





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Re: bird activity
From: Joseph Morlan <jmorlan AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:41:50 -0700
On Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:57:33 -0000, "Maggie Rufo" 
wrote:

>I've wondered if it's because the turkey vultures in our hemisphere (the 
so-called "New World") are more related to storks than to raptors, whereas the 
"Old World" vultures are more closely related to raptors and so maybe more 
fierce. 


Although there have been a number of older published studies indicating
that New World Vultures are related to storks, recent genetic data strongly
refute a cathartid-stork relationship.  

More information is at:

http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.html

-- 
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA        jmorlan (at) ccsf.edu 
SF Birding Classes start Sept. 15  http://fog.ccsf.edu/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee  http://www.californiabirds.org/
Western Field Ornithologists       http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/
Subject: Re: bird activity
From: "Maggie Rufo" <magwhls AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:57:33 -0000
I like your observations about the Turkey Vultures (TVs). They are one of my 
favorite birds. I've read they are not good at tearing apart a fresh carcass 
and have to wait a few days for it to soften up. TV's do not engage in 
frenzied, competitive feeding behavior like the vultures in Africa as seen on 
nature shows. TV's have a heirarchy and a social system. I've wondered if it's 
because the turkey vultures in our hemisphere (the so-called "New World") are 
more related to storks than to raptors, whereas the "Old World" vultures are 
more closely related to raptors and so maybe more fierce. I don't know how our 
other vulture, the Black Vulture, behaviors at a carcass, I just know that they 
do not have the amazing sense of smell that TV's have and their strategy, where 
the two species overlap, is to spy on the TV's and follow them down when they 
find a meal! But in return, the black vultures are able to tear open fresh 
carcesses, so the TV's benefit from that. I do not know the strategy of condors 
- whether they are "polite" like TV's or more competitive like the "Old World" 
crew. 


Maggie Rufo
Novato

--- In northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com, bradyw AT ... wrote:
>
> 
> Yesterday morning I watched as turkey vultures arrived, a deer-doe had died 
the day before of old age in our orchard. It was interesting to note how each 
of them paraded on and around the doe. First seven came, then twelve sat in the 
trees above and on the power lines. They seemed to watch or guard the area. 
Keeping crows and ravens at bay. This little dance went on through out the day 
before they tried to eat the doe. This is not some thing I've seen before other 
than television, seeing vultures on film in Africa.Since we see them daily 
flying over head as they keeping watch. I have some great pictures of these 
large birds drying their wings on telephone poles and the like, often times I 
have used them in back grounds of art and scenic shots of the Mayacomus region. 
Large game is hard to come by in this region and food is minimal. Their diets 
consist of drive-by kills on roadways such as snakes, racoons and skunks and 
possums and the usual small birds 

> that succumb to old age. But here a fresh dying deer is a real meal for them. 
So the competition is ferrous too find food lying around for these larger 
birds. Their displays was quite interesting as each one of them danced around 
the doe like men around a fire, raising their wings and hopping along. 

> It was not till evening before they decided to open the deer's flank and go 
for the glands. I had first thought it would be a mess, but each one eat a 
little and moved off. Seven large vultures stayed to hang on the wires above 
and take turns eating till the next morning, before any of them flew again. I 
checked on the size of corpse the next day, and there is still meat on the legs 
and shoulders as the vultures had left the skin in tack, covering the meat 
neatly in place for more creatures to eat their fill. This is the balance of 
nature, nothing is wasted.      

>
Subject: Tanagers at Sugarloaf
From: "Kathleen" <kamnick AT sonic.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:33:48 -0000
My friend and I were horseback riding at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (in 
Kenwood) this morning. Not an ideal situation for birding but we did the best 
we could. We went out Meadow Trail and up Hillside and back. Just past the 
bridge onto Hillside trail is an open area with lots of baccharis 
growing...today it was just full of Western Tanagers. They were popping out all 
over the place...at least 4 vibrantly colored males and assorted females and 
fledged young. We figured at least 12-15 and I think there may well be more. I 
have never seeen more than 2 or 3 tanagers at a time here. 


Other species included Lazuli Bunting, Ash-throated Flycatchers feeding fledged 
young, heard Western Wood Pewee, Hutton's Vireo and the usual for this woodland 
area. 


The wildflowers are also quite wonderful with swaths of Fare-well-to-Spring, 
Elegant Brodaiea, Ithurial Spear, Poppies, Yarrow and a few Mariposa Lillies 



Kathleen Mugele
Kathi Province
Subject: bird activity
From: bradyw AT sbcglobal.net
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:41:56 -0700 (PDT)
Yesterday morning I watched as turkey vultures arrived, a deer-doe had died the 
day before of old age in our orchard. It was interesting to note how each of 
them paraded on and around the doe. First seven came, then twelve sat in the 
trees above and on the power lines. They seemed to watch or guard the area. 
Keeping crows and ravens at bay. This little dance went on through out the day 
before they tried to eat the doe. This is not some thing I've seen before other 
than television, seeing vultures on film in Africa.Since we see them daily 
flying over head as they keeping watch. I have some great pictures of these 
large birds drying their wings on telephone poles and the like, often times I 
have used them in back grounds of art and scenic shots of the Mayacomus region. 
Large game is hard to come by in this region and food is minimal. Their diets 
consist of drive-by kills on roadways such as snakes, racoons and skunks and 
possums and the usual small birds 

 that succumb to old age. But here a fresh dying deer is a real meal for them. 
So the competition is ferrous too find food lying around for these larger 
birds. Their displays was quite interesting as each one of them danced around 
the doe like men around a fire, raising their wings and hopping along. 

It was not till evening before they decided to open the deer's flank and go for 
the glands. I had first thought it would be a mess, but each one eat a little 
and moved off. Seven large vultures stayed to hang on the wires above and take 
turns eating till the next morning, before any of them flew again. I checked on 
the size of corpse the next day, and there is still meat on the legs and 
shoulders as the vultures had left the skin in tack, covering the meat neatly 
in place for more creatures to eat their fill. This is the balance of nature, 
nothing is wasted.     
Subject: Northern Parula in Vacaville
From: "David Bell" <davebell27 AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:49:39 -0000
This morning I was surprised to hear a Northern Parula singing in my yard. Sure 
enough, a bright male was working through the oaks. 


I suspect that the bird is just moving through and is probably on someone 
else's property by now. However, if you want to check, feel free to give me a 
call 415 271 0775. 


Dave Bell
Vacaville
Subject: Bald eagles, again
From: "jules_evens" <jevens AT svn.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:58:00 -0000
Today Tom Gaman, Phil Johnson and I surveyed the Kent Lake (Marin Co.) Osprey 
colony. This is the 28th year of coverage. The pair of Bald Eagles that arrived 
last year were again present. Two adults were attending the same nest site as 
in 2008 (usurped osprey nest #61) in the middle of the lake . . . two sassy 
chicks, about half grown, were on the nest. There were 26 "active" osprey nests 
scattered around the length of the lake, which is about average for the last 10 
years. Like last year, the ospreys were clustered at either end of the lake, 
mostly avoiding the middle zone where the eagles rule. Other species of 
interest included Purple Martins (2 nesting trees, with about 10 pair total), 
Hermit and Black-throated Gray warblers, singing Hermit Thrushes, and Common 
Mergansers (30+ chicks). The reservoir's water level was very low and Wood 
Ducks were conspicuously absent. Waiting on waders, Jules
Subject: the last coupla' days
From: Rich Stallcup <rstallcup AT prbo.org>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:38:05 -0700
GOOD MORNING, NORTH BAY BIRDERS-

The Grasshopper Sparrow field on lower Sonoma Mountain
Road, just northeast of Adobe road has been mowed and there
are only one or two singing birds left in the area.

The GRSP colony I reported near the RCA Station on Point
Reyes is about 30% mowed and I am working to stop the
carnage there.

On 6/14, we saw an Eastern Wood Pewee on the fence
just west of the last cattle guard before entering the
Chimney Rock Parking lot on Point Reyes. The bird was silent so we
will not report it beyond NBB but most adult individuals can
be identified by plumage characters and bill color. This is contrary
to popular belief by most expert birders.

Otherwise, the NW wind has kept most tardy spring
migrants from reaching the O.P.

HERE COME the WADERS.........   RICH


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: RE: Bald Eagle
From: Jennifer Michaud <jennifer AT pcz.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:01:58 -0700
Bald eagle was at the same location yesterday (Monday) around 2:00 as well. 
Heading south over the laguna. 


Jennifer



Jennifer Michaud
Senior Wildlife Biologist
Prunuske Chatham, Inc.
400 Morris Street, Suite G
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Operator 707-824-4600
Voice Mail 707-824-4601 ext 108
Cell 707-217-7179
Email:   jennifer AT pcz.com
><)))0> ><)))0> ><)))0> ><)))0> ><)))0> ><)))0>
________________________________________
From: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com [northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf 
Of Jungletouch [Jungletouch AT comcast.net] 

Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 1:21 PM
To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NBB] Bald Eagle

I saw an adult Bald Eagle at the Laguna De Santa Rosa yesterday around
2:30. Corner of Occidental Rd and High School Rd. I was stoked to say the
least.

Gary
Subject: Skaggs Island Update
From: "torusert" <sonomabirding AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:50:59 -0000
Woolsey's involvement leads to signed agreement, lays foundation for transfer-

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey today celebrated an agreement 
between the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to begin the 
transfer of the decommissioned Skaggs Island Naval Station to a nearby wildlife 
sanctuary. Woolsey and her staff have been actively engaged in negotiations 
over the site for years, and last fall passed legislation through the Congress 
to facilitate the transfer process. 


"This announcement, that an agreement to return Skaggs Island back to its 
natural beauty has been reached, is fantastic news," said Woolsey. "The 
transformation of this site will provide habitat for over 20 state and federal 
threatened and endangered species, making it the crown jewel of North Bay 
wetlands restoration efforts." 


The transfer enjoys widespread community support, including: Sonoma, Marin, 
Napa and Solano Counties, the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture (a coalition of 
public agencies, sportsman and conservation groups) Save San Francisco Bay, the 
California Coastal Conservancy, and 7 Members of Congress from the Bay Area. 


Nice addition to the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge which lies along 
the north shore of San Pablo Bay in Sonoma, Solano, and Napa Counties in 
northern California. 


Tom Rusert
Sonoma Valley, CA
sonomabirding.org
Subject: Gulf of the Farallones cruise June 13
From: David Wimpfheimer <ceruleanswift AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:20:42 -0700 (PDT)
Participants on a June 13 Oceanic Society cruise from San Francisco to Southest 
Farallon Island and the edge of the continental shelf enjoyed unseasonably calm 
weather and seas. Highlights included: 


Black-footed Albatross  3
Northern Fulmar  4
Sooty Shearwater 17
Pink-footed Shearwater  1
Common Murre 15-20,000 (many thousands of birds on the island suggest a 
productive nesting season) 

Pigeon Guillemot  100
Cassin's Auklet  90
Rhinoceros Auklet  18
Tufted Puffin  3

Gray Whale  5
Humpback Whale  13
Harbor Porpoise  3
Pacific White-sided Dolphin  50-60
Risso's Dolphin  100 (seen by fishing boats)



      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Bodega Head: 14 June 2009
From: "Cindy Lieurance" <cindy AT petrels.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:30:54 -0000
NorthBayBirders:

(The only unusual sightings in this report are mammals - the rest is standard 
stuff.) 


Early this morning, 14 June 2009, Les Lieurance, Suzanne Cogen, Lisa Hug and I 
spent nearly two hours scoping and binning from Bodega Head. Light fog drifted 
in and out, but viewing conditions were generally good to excellent. The water 
was smooth with a few riffles, so alcids were easy to see, as were occasional 
small areas of jumping, schooling fish. 


Two of the WESTERN GULL nests on the big off-shore rock have newly-hatched 
chicks, visible only when the parents stand up for a stretch or to switch 
brooding duties with their partners. Two pairs of BLACK OYSTERCATCHERs were 
also on the rocks, but their nests were not visible. Five large COMMON RAVEN 
chicks were on the rocks where the guillemots and cormorants usually nest - we 
could not find any nests of the latter two species, although many BRANDT'S 
CORMORANTs and PELAGIC CORMORANTs were preening and resting on the same rock as 
the Western Gull nests. 


Out on the water, we saw 6 RHINOCEROS AUKLETs (close enough to see their orange 
bills and white plumes), about 30 PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, hundreds of COMMON MURREs, 
4 or 5 HEERMAN'S GULLs, a few dozen BROWN PELICANs, and 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER, 
along with WESTERN GREBEs and 2 or 3 PACIFIC LOONs. 


But the most exciting find of the morning was by Les, the only one who was not 
using his scope. Using binoculars, he spotted a large pod (at least 60 animals) 
of RISSO'S DOLPHINs swimming in a SSE direction at a distance of at least two 
miles. They eventually made their way closer, possibly as close as a mile from 
the Head. This is only the second time we have seen them from shore. Many of 
them were exhibiting repetitive percussive behaviors, including tail-slapping, 
head-banging and even full body-slams after jumping completely out of the 
water. We saw one calf among the larger adults, and could clearly see the white 
melon-shaped heads and the many scratches on the bodies of the adults. After we 
had been watching them for about 15 minutes, we saw that a few PACIFIC 
WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINs had joined up with them. 


It was another great day in the field.


Cindy Lieurance
San Francisco  CA  U.S.A.
Subject: Bald Eagle
From: "Jungletouch" <Jungletouch AT comcast.net>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:21:55 -0700
I saw an adult Bald Eagle at the Laguna De Santa Rosa  yesterday  around
2:30. Corner of Occidental Rd and High School Rd. I was stoked to say the
least.   
 
Gary 
 
 
 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Summer Bird Camp for Kids - June 15-19th (Ages 8-14)
From: "torusert" <sonomabirding AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:57:09 -0000
The camp has ten kids signed on.  It is a go! Last weekend to sign up. 
Share this with your friends.  Its a great week for kids and birds!

Sonoma Birding along with nature partners and instructors from Madrone Audubon, 
PRBO Conservation Science, RROS, The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma Co. and 
Kenwood Raptor Rescue will offer five half days of unique birding experiences 
for children. Songbirds, Raptors, Owls and Waterbirds will be the focus. 
Through classroom and field experiences, kids will discover the joy of birds 
and birding...one bird at a time!  (Limited to 12 students). 


The Camp is offered through the SCC Summer Camp Program in Sonoma, California. 
$125. Partial scholarships are available. Call - 707-938-4626 x1 to enroll 
today. 

 
Tom Rusert
http://www.sonomabirding.org/
Sonoma,CA.
Subject: Cattle Egret at Las Gallinas, San Rafael
From: Len Blumin <Len.blumin AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:54:44 -0700
Our Bruce Bajema Birdwatch Group enjoyed watching a Cattle Egret today in
pond #1, sporting full breeding plumage, with red-orange bill and red legs
to go with the buffy head and breast. The bird was present on the south side
of the long isthmus in pond one, then flew to the trees on the western end
of the island, then to the point where the Pelicans hang out, and left in
unknown direction about 11:30 am.
Cropped photo can be seen here:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3618025566_d1e30445b2_o.jpg
-- 
Cheers,
Len Blumin, Mill Valley, California
len.blumin AT gmail.com
Swaro 80 HD, 30X, DCA, CoolPix 8400
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/lenblumin/sets/72157614994688364/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Cattle Egrets at Laguna De Santa Rosa
From: "rhysingup" <rhysingup AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:47:54 -0000
Found roughly half a dozen Cattle Egrets hunting on the farm next to the park. 

Images seen here: 
http://www.cygnusstudios.com/gallery/8113749_fUoPK#561075864_G29pK
Subject: Dutra Asphalt Plant follow up...
From: "torusert" <sonomabirding AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:55:11 -0000
The past two Dutra Plant public hearings were very educational and valuable for 
everyone attending. It became very clear yesterday that monitoring the 144 
complex conditions plus health and zoning changes, noise levels and altering 
the important natural life of the Petaluma River would require many government 
agencies. Clearly our great year-round birding habitat and home of PRBO 
Conservation Science would never be the same if this major industrial change 
was approved. 


This complex process demonstrates that healthy environments, people and animals 
are totally interdependent. 


Congrats to all,
Tom Rusert
Sonoma,CA.
sonomabirding.org
Subject: White Tailed Kites at Shollenberger
From: "rhysingup" <rhysingup AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:13:03 -0000
An adult pair with one juvenile were hunting near the pond this morning. 
A few photos from this morning can be seen here: 

http://www.cygnusstudios.com/gallery/5870498_YRTUZ#559244122_9qVQd
Subject: Tragic news about Luke Cole
From: David Wimpfheimer <ceruleanswift AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 00:33:49 -0700 (PDT)
Such terrible news to hear of Luke Cole's death in Uganda. Undoubtedly he was 
doing something he loved at the time, seeing a great bird. I had the pleasure 
of doing San Francisco CBCs with Luke and was on several pelagic trips with 
him. He led numerous trips for Shearwater Journeys and shared his love of 
seabirds with many birders over the years. Luke was a patient teacher at all 
times. The last time I talked to him I heard about his work fighting for the 
rights of native people in Alaska's Seward peninsula. His warm smile, quick 
wit, laughter and caring manner will be missed. 



      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Viansa Wetlands - Sonoma
From: "torusert" <sonomabirding AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:14:41 -0000
Viansa Wetlands is coming alive in its first full spring with restored and 
repaired dikes resulting in lots of water and some new seasonal wetlands 
habitat for a range of birds. Eighty four species have been recorded during the 
monthly surveys this year. Yesterday - a pair of Loggerhead Shrike, 1- American 
Bittern, 1- Virginia Rail, a pair of American Avocets, 8 Cinnamon Teal and 25 
Mallards... some nesting with babies. Also a dozen Gadwall. A pair of beautiful 
Bullock's Orioles nesting and one Common Yellowthroat, 8 Western Meadowlarks, 
Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens and Song Sparrows were plentiful and a 
Red-tailed Hawk nest with young. 


Tom Rusert
Darren Peterie
Sonoma,CA.
Subject: the past three days
From: Rich Stallcup <rstallcup AT prbo.org>
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 11:50:34 -0700
GOOD MORNING NORTHBAY BIRDERS-

On 6/5 Melissa and I as PRBO representatives hosted
a trip to Point Reyes for a U.S. Forest Service multinational group visiting 
the U.S. 

There were
conservation agency leaders from Ethiopia, Palestine, Egypt,
Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and the West Bank. It was quite wonderful
to be with them...all focused on nature and wildlife conservation.
Mostly they liked the loons, the Elephant Seals a fine pair
of Rhinoceros Auklets just off the Fish Docks and wading in
 cold Pacific waters.

On 6/6 we, too had a long and clear connection with the White-eyed
Vireo thanks to Mark and Linda who phoned us at Olema ...It didn't
take long to get back out there!! That was the 5th WEVI record for
Marin and the 3rd for the O.P.   all have been in the SPRING vagrant
time period. We saw 5 pinnipeds from the O.P. after Heather spotted
a Northern Fur Seal thermoregulating north of the point's tip.

Yesterday, 6/7 on a PRBO member's trip, there were again about 40 Humpback
Whales off the Lighthouse and we saw all 8 Peregrines that are now in charge
of avian goings- on the O.P. I found a Ceanothus Silk Moth (Hyalophora 
euryalus) 

at Drake's Beach which, I think is the first O.P. record.

We also found an easily observable Grasshopper Sparrow  "colony"
containing at least five singing males. It is (mostly) on the SE side
Lighthouse Road 1/10 of a mile NE (back towards the Lunny Ranch) from the 
turnoff to the R.C.A. Station. 

There are very few perches out there so they are singing from the roadside
fenceposts.

THANKS      RICH




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: American redstart at Chimney Rock
From: Jeff Miller <jmiller AT biologicaldiversity.org>
Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:27:46 -0700
A gorgeous day at outer Point Reyes today. We got a late start, but ran into
Peter Colasanti and Ruth Rudesill at the lighthouse. Most of the interesting
migrants seem to have departed, but we found a ROCK WREN and a pair of
PEREGRINE FALCONS at the lighthouse.
 
At about 3:30 pm we located the female AMERICAN REDSTART in the small
cypress and pine grove south of the ranger residence at Chimney Rock. My
sixth life-bird at the O.P. in six days! We got to watch her for over 20
minutes as she methodically worked her way through the trees. Also watched a
peregrine falcon that seemed to have some problems flying and perching -
maybe one of the fledgling peregrines from the lighthouse learning to fly?
 
Good birding!
 
Jeff Miller
Bolinas
 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: White-eyed Vireo at Point Reyes Lighthouse Residence Trees and more
From: "rosita94598" <rosita94598 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:47:11 -0000
A White-eyed Vireo was found in the trees in front of the Point Reyes 
Lighthouse residence just before noon today. First seen by members of the Mt. 
Diablo Audubon Society on their field trip, it went unidentified until also 
seen by Dave DeSante and Scott and Linda Terrill. A big thank you goes to them 
for recognizing it. We were struggling through various female eastern 
warblers--yes, not very good for a Bay Area Audubon chapter. The bird was seen 
by quite a few others, both tourists and birders Hopefully, it was still there 
when Rich Stallcup returned. 


Earlier, about 11:15, we had a female American Redstart at the radio tower on 
the left just after starting to the lighthouse from the parking lot. We also 
saw the Long-tailed Weasel while we walked out and back. On our return it had a 
mouse/rat about 1/4 its size. 


Two Peregrine Falcons were seen from the garage just past the residence at the 
Fish Docks, one of which took a Pigeon Guillemot. Later we found two female 
American Redstarts in the trees beyond the garage. 


We alsos had a Western Wood Pewee at the Mendozea Trees.

Hugh B. Harvey
Walnut Creek
Subject: White-eyed Vireo + American Redstart- Marin Co.- 06 June 2009
From: "Cindy Lieurance" <cindy AT petrels.com>
Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:42:39 -0000
NorthBayBirders:

About 4:45 this afternoon (Saturday, 06 June 2009) Les Lieurance, George 
Griffeth and I saw the WHITE-EYED VIREO found earlier today by Scott & Linda 
Terrill at the Point Reyes Lighthouse. It was, as Scott reported on the 
BirdBox, foraging methodically in the row of cypress trees. We saw it mostly in 
the trees directly above the oven. It was still there at 5:30 PM when we 
departed. 


We also saw a female AMERICAN REDSTART in the pine trees at the Fish Docks at 
about 4:00 PM. 



Cindy Lieurance
San Francisco  CA  U.S.A.
Subject: 6/4 Pt. Reyes
From: katherine francone <kmfrancone AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 12:50:09 -0700 (PDT)
Yesterday, Nick Whelan and I birded outer Pt. Reyes.  The Lighthouse trees had 
a male Chestnut-sided Warbler and at the park residence there was a Willow 
Flycatcher low in a purple/blue flowering ornamental bush.  At the Lighthouse 
overlook a juvenile Peregrine was spotted along with distant looks at a number 
of Humpback Whales.  We had brief but nice look at a Long-tailed Weasel that 
popped out on the main road from the parking lot to the Lighthouse.  At the 
Fish Docks there was an Ash-throated Flycatcher and a juvenile Peregrine flew 
over our heads at the Pine trees.  On the way back after passing Nunez  a male 
Western Tanager was perched low on a gate along the main road.  Nick also had a 
quick glimpse of a Coyote.  Good Birding.  Kathy Francone 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: late shorebirds at Point Reyes
From: David Wimpfheimer <ceruleanswift AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 12:27:54 -0700 (PDT)
Yesterday, June 4, I observed at group of shorebirds at the north end of 
Creamery Bay, an arm of Drakes Estero in Point Reyes National Seashore. There 
were 36 Black-bellied Plover, including a few in mostly alternate plumage, most 
were in basic plumage, 3 Dunlin all in alternate plumage and 1 Least Sandpiper. 
I know there can be lingering shorebirds, but the number and species 
composition surprised me. I'm curious if anyone else has seen any out of season 
shorebirds recently. Ten Brant seen here were not so surprising. 




      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Spring Lake local interest
From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 21:51:36 -0700
This afternoon at Spring Lake Reg. Park in eastern Santa Rosa, two Clark's 
Grebes continued. One is stained reddish - no breeding activity observed. 


An Osprey caught a large trout and flew to the west with it. Several local 
birders have been speculating where their nest is but as far as I know no one 
knows where it is. A second Osprey also was fishing on the lake. 


Ruth Rudesill
Kenwood CA



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Peregrine Falcon fledglings at Chimney Rock
From: Len Blumin <Len.blumin AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 13:58:02 -0700
A group led by Rich Stallcup was indeed thrilled to view the Humpback Whales
and Peregrine Falcon fledglings at the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse June 3. Thought
some of you might like a view of the Peregrine chicks as seen through a
scope. Picture may be a tad soft, but it is shot at an effective focal
length of 2200+ mm, and then cropped. Distance about 80 yards.
 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/3595545317_0b86ccbc3b_o.jpg

Here is a routine camara shot of the falcon chicks with camera fully zoomed
to equivalent of 85 mm. The chicks are on the lower shoulder of the cliff
outcrop, as indicated by the arrow:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3596353030_bae457b6cf_o.jpg
-- 
Cheers,
Len Blumin, Mill Valley, California
len.blumin AT gmail.com
Swaro 80 HD, 30X, DCA, CoolPix 8400
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/lenblumin/sets/72157614994688364/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: 6/3 on the O.P.
From: Rich Stallcup <rstallcup AT prbo.org>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 11:11:08 -0700
GOOD MORNING NORTHBAY BIRDERS-

Yesterday the only vagrant landbirds (and pretty-much the only bird- migrants, 
regular or rare) we saw on Outer Point 

Reyes were a female American Redstart at the Fish Docks
and an Eastern Kingbird at Mendo...the breeze had returned to the Northwest.

At the Lighthouse overlook, we alternately watched two fledgling Peregrines 
(and the 

attendant adults) and numerous Humpback Whales, one of which fully breached 
from the sea 

18 times in a row at 50 second intervals. All twelve of us saw this breaching 
through scopes for 

breathtaking views.

The young falcons were perched together on top of a craggy ridge only 80 yards 
from 

our viewpoint. I mentioned to the group I was glad the birds did not have human 
names nor did 

their parents. There was, at least some concurrence.

            GOOD HUNTING     RICH


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Shollenberger Heron/Egret Colony Thriving - Final Dutra Vote 6/9
From: saveshollenberger AT gmail.com
Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:56:48 +0000
"Docents Gary Compari, Len Nelson and I monitor the Shollenberger  
heron/egret colony for Cypress Grove Research Center, Audubon Canyon Ranch.  
It is one of 150 colonies in the greater San Francisco Bay area.  
Periodically, Cypress Grove publishes an atlas of colony production. A  
healthy colony reflects a healthy environment. We monitor this colony every  
two weeks, and each nest is given a designation depending upon which sector  
it occupies in the colony trees. The attached photo, for example, shows 15  
nests in “Sector A”. To record activity accurately make take up to four  
hours a visit.

The colony has 59 active nests compared with 54 last year at this time. We  
counted 42 chicks on May 22nd: Great Blue Heron-8, Great Egret -31 & Snowy  
Egret -3. The 42 is double the total from late May of last year. This  
provides evidence that this colony had an earlier start this year. We  
expect to count many more chicks during our next visit.

This is probably the best time of year for you to view the colony. All you  
need is a good pair of binoculars. You will also hear the young chicks  
vocalize as they await food. The colony may best be viewed from the  
Shollenberger Park observation deck overlooking the Petaluma River down to  
marker #9."

~ Bob Dyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS IS IT! FINAL VOTE!

The County Supervisors Final Vote On The Proposed Dutra Asphalt Plant In  
Petaluma

TUESDAY, JUNE 9th, 2009 at 2PM (Please arrive at 1pm to ensure a spot in  
the building)

The Board of Supervisors will vote to amend the County General Plan to  
change the zoning of the property at Haystack Landing from commercial to  
industrial and change the general plan to allow the asphalt plant to  
produce excessive noise and toxic emissions. Come tell the Supervisors this  
is not what you want!

Visit our Blog for a downloadable flyer (PDF) that can be emailed or  
printed to help spread the word. There is also a link to our Facebook page  
where you can RSVP to attend the final vote on Facebook

http://www.SaveShollenberger.com/

Meet us before or after at Velasco's Mexican Restaurant at 190 Kentucky  
Street in Petaluma for a Dine-Out Fundraiser!


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



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Subject: Long-tailed Duck at Bodega Bay
From: "peter_colasanti" <peter_colasanti AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:12:28 -0000
Good morning all,

 This morning around 7AM there was a Long-tailed Duck at Campbell 
Cove/Hole-in-the-Head (the lot's still closed) at Bodega Bay. It was a 
short-tailed female with old squalid winter plumage. 


     Also observed an adult Heerman's Gull flying north past the Head.

Peter Colasanti
Subject: in the wave...
From: Rich Stallcup <rstallcup AT prbo.org>
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 15:21:02 -0700
GOOD AFTERNOON NORTHBAY BIRDERS-

We, too saw everything (except a reported Chipping Sparrow) that was reported 
for Outer Point Reyes 

since Friday.  It was a nice bird-storm and there is another one on the way.

On Sunday, May 31st, P.R.B.O Conservation Science interns and staff found, 
identified then banded and 

photographed a male Prairie Warbler at the Palomarin Field Station west of 
Bolinas. It was the first 

captured there since September 15, 1995. Like many vagrant wood-warblers, 
Prairies are much more 

frequent fall than spring.

Just for general information, Swainson's Thrushes and Allen's Hummingbirds are 
regular nesting 

species at the "Fish Docks" and are not passing migrants. Similarly, Swainson's 
Thrushes, Wilson's 

Warblers Allen's and Anna's Hummingbirds, Hutton's Vireos, Purple Finches, 
Bewick's Wrens and (this year), 

Bushtits nest
in the riparian at Drake's Beach.

            THANKS     RICH


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Outer Pt Reyes Sunday - PM Update
From: "Richard Cimino" <rscimino AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 20:09:36 -0700
Jeff Miller and I arrived at the Light House about noon.
We ran into Don Reinberg and Rick LaBoudour .
Not soon after we had found the Black and White Warbler and the Cape May 
Warbler. 

Jeff and I made the drive to the Fish Dock and found the male and female 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak's and the Allen's Hummingbird. 

Near the Rangers home we found the Ash-throated Flycatcher, walking the black 
top towards the Coast Guard facility we found the 

Northern Parula in the Cypress tree's.
On our way out we found an Eastern Kingbird on the right side fence .5 miles 
before the B-Ranch. 

Look for the bird near the red top cow feeding station.
We stopped at the RCA facility to search for the Oven Bird, didn't find the 
bird. 

But we did find five Swainson's Thrushes.
A few of them were chasing each other in and around the low canopy of the 
cypress tree's. 

Rich Cimino
Pleasanton

Richard Cimino
rscimino AT earthlink.net
Da Pacem Cordium


----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com
Sent: 5/31/2009 10:22:50 PM 
Subject: Re: [NBB] Outer Pt Reyes Sunday - PM Update






I didn't make it out to the OP until noon today, but still managed to see 
several of the birds reported by Ruth (Black & White, Cape May, Parula). 
But I also wanted to report that there were at least FOUR Rose-breasted 
Grosbeaks at the outer point today. At round 2:30 at the Fish Docks I had two 
males and a female all perched together in the cypresses above the 
residence, seen from the Chimney Rock trail. About half an hour earlier, I saw 
another female RBGR at the Mendoza Ranch.

Good birding,
Kathy Robertson
Hayward, CA


In a message dated 5/31/2009 7:20:06 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, 
ruthier AT sonic.net writes:

Today there were quite a few birders at outer Pt Reyes. I was waiting 
for one of them to post , but since no one has I thought I 'd better get the 
word out.

The birding was fabulous!

Lighthouse - Stunning views of male Black-and-White and Cape May Warblers 
at the trees. Someone else said they had seen a female B&W too. A male 
Chestnut-sided Warbler was in the lupines on the south side of the trail 
near the Coast Guard antennas and dishes just up from the parking lot. (Mark 
Butler said it has been singing!) Plus two Long-tailed Weasels playing 
behind the bathroom in the parking lot - very cute!

Fish Docks - female Indigo Bunting, male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (a female 
had also been reported) , and a male Northern Parula in the pines. Also 
an Ash-throated Flycatcher, Allen's Hummer and a "western" type Flycatcher. 
Two teenage Elephant Seals mock fighting which was pretty wild to watch, 
right next to the wharf.

Drakes Monument - Bob Speckels and I heard a calling warbler which would 
not show itself, but I think it was a MacGillivray's.

RCA station - Had poor looks at the Ovenbird....smaller than the nearby 
thrushes but never sat still in good light. Stayed in deep cover, near the 
parking area.

Ruth Rudesill
Kenwood CA

**************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222377040x1201454360/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=Jun 

eExcfooterNO62)

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




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Outer Pt Reyes Sunday - PM Update
From: KatBirdCA AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 01:22:23 EDT
 
I didn't make it out to the OP until noon today, but still managed to see  
several of the birds reported by Ruth (Black & White, Cape May,  Parula).  
But I also wanted to report that there were at least FOUR  Rose-breasted 
Grosbeaks at the outer point today. At round 2:30 at the Fish Docks I had two 

males and a female all perched together in the cypresses  above the 
residence, seen from the Chimney Rock trail. About half an hour earlier, I saw 

another female RBGR at the Mendoza Ranch.

 
Good birding,
Kathy Robertson
Hayward, CA
 
 
In a message dated 5/31/2009 7:20:06 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
ruthier AT sonic.net writes:

Today  there were quite a few birders at outer Pt Reyes.   I was waiting  
for one of them to post , but since no one has I thought I 'd better get the  
word out.

The birding was fabulous!

Lighthouse -  Stunning  views of male Black-and-White and Cape May Warblers 
 at the trees.   Someone else said they had seen a female B&W too. A male 
Chestnut-sided  Warbler was in the lupines on the south side of the trail 
near the Coast Guard  antennas and dishes just up from the parking lot. (Mark 
Butler said it has  been singing!)   Plus two Long-tailed Weasels playing 
behind the  bathroom in the parking lot - very cute!

Fish Docks -  female  Indigo Bunting, male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (a female 
had also been reported)  , and a male Northern Parula in the pines.  Also 
an Ash-throated  Flycatcher, Allen's Hummer and a "western" type Flycatcher.  
 Two  teenage Elephant Seals mock fighting which was pretty wild to watch, 
right  next to the wharf.

Drakes Monument - Bob Speckels and I heard a calling  warbler which would 
not show itself, but I think it was a  MacGillivray's.

RCA station -  Had poor looks at the  Ovenbird....smaller than the nearby 
thrushes but never sat still in good  light.  Stayed in deep cover, near the 
parking area.

Ruth  Rudesill
Kenwood CA




**************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222377040x1201454360/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=Jun 

eExcfooterNO62)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Willowside Chat...
From: "Bill Doyle" <bill.doyle AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 21:11:48 -0700
This morning early, Helen Kochenderfer and I relocated the chat reported by 
Ruth and Gay yesterday. It was in the same area, but today was extremely 
cooperative, singing continuously in plain sight till we walked away. We 
continued to hear it from a distance, but it had stopped singing by the time we 
repassed the area. In spite of the cool overcast, the entire path from 
Willowside to Delta Pond was swarming with birds, and constant, multilayered 
song. 


Bill Doyle
Santa Rosa
www.doylehomemaintenance.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Outer Pt Reyes Sunday
From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net>
Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 19:19:21 -0700
Today there were quite a few birders at outer Pt Reyes. I was waiting for one 
of them to post , but since no one has I thought I 'd better get the word out. 


The birding was fabulous!

Lighthouse - Stunning views of male Black-and-White and Cape May Warblers at 
the trees. Someone else said they had seen a female B&W too. A male 
Chestnut-sided Warbler was in the lupines on the south side of the trail near 
the Coast Guard antennas and dishes just up from the parking lot. (Mark Butler 
said it has been singing!) Plus two Long-tailed Weasels playing behind the 
bathroom in the parking lot - very cute! 


Fish Docks - female Indigo Bunting, male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (a female had 
also been reported) , and a male Northern Parula in the pines. Also an 
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Allen's Hummer and a "western" type Flycatcher. Two 
teenage Elephant Seals mock fighting which was pretty wild to watch, right next 
to the wharf. 


Drakes Monument - Bob Speckels and I heard a calling warbler which would not 
show itself, but I think it was a MacGillivray's. 


RCA station - Had poor looks at the Ovenbird....smaller than the nearby 
thrushes but never sat still in good light. Stayed in deep cover, near the 
parking area. 


Ruth Rudesill
Kenwood CA

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Point Reyes today
From: Ken Wilson <ken AT talontours.com>
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 21:41:17 -0700
Some of the birds seen by the many birders at the point today  
included Northern Parula, Male and Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak,  
Cape May warbler, Male and Female Indigo Bunting, Ash-throated  
Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Band-tailed Pigeon and probably others I may  
have forgotten.

Ken Wilson
ken AT talontours.com
www.talontours.com
(707) 775-2558





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at CostCo, Novato
From: "judisierra" <judisierra AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 04:08:40 -0000
Does this mean they bred here? A family group? Any other records?

Judi Sierra- Oakland
--- In northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com, "perfect53"  wrote:
>
> Yes, there are three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at the entrance of CostCo, 
Novato. A female and juvenile Grosbeak were inside the netting (to keep out the 
cliff swallows) over the entrance and a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was outside 
the netting flying by them. I came upon the scene about noon today when three 
workers were putting up a ladder and saying something about 'birds'. Of all 
people to come walking along, I had 'leaned' on the manager of the shopping 
center all last year about the protected Cliff Swallows. I thought that it was 
a cliff swallow caught inside the netting but when I got close enough to see 
without binoculars, I saw the female and from her beak, I said, Grosbeak. I 
knew it was not a Black-headed Grosbeak female. Then, a brighly colored male 
flew by--definately a Rose-breasted Grosbeak! The juvenile was also caught 
inside the net. One of the CostCo workers cut a hole in the netting to let the 
birds fly out. When I came back out, the birds were free and the male was 
flying behind the metal pipe in the concrete piling. 

> 
> I am glad the CostCo workers did the right thing. I think they may have 
thought that the birds were the protected Cliff Swallows. I did not say 
anything. 

>
Subject: Yellow-breasted Chat
From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net>
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 16:28:40 -0700
Hello - today Gay Bishop and I were successful in our quest for a 
Yellow-breasted Chat along Santa Rosa Creek in Sonoma County. 


The bird was not terribly cooperative but was briefly seen and heard calling 
along the path leading to Delta Pond. 


The path starts on Willowside Rd (cross Guerneville or Hall Rds) There is some 
parking along road at the bridge over Santa Rosa Creek. Take the path that runs 
on the south side of the creek heading west. There are two puddles (beyond one 
mud puddle) about 1/4 mile down the path and the bird was in this area. 


Also seen and heard were many (at least 6) Common Yellowthroats, Bullock's 
Orioles, Yellow Warblers, Warbling Vireo, PsFlycatachers, Black -headed 
Grosbeaks and Swainson's Thrushes. 


Good Birding to all,
Ruth Rudesill
Kenwood CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at CostCo, Novato
From: "perfect53" <perfect53 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 03:40:52 -0000
Yes, there are three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at the entrance of CostCo, Novato. 
A female and juvenile Grosbeak were inside the netting (to keep out the cliff 
swallows) over the entrance and a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was outside the 
netting flying by them. I came upon the scene about noon today when three 
workers were putting up a ladder and saying something about 'birds'. Of all 
people to come walking along, I had 'leaned' on the manager of the shopping 
center all last year about the protected Cliff Swallows. I thought that it was 
a cliff swallow caught inside the netting but when I got close enough to see 
without binoculars, I saw the female and from her beak, I said, Grosbeak. I 
knew it was not a Black-headed Grosbeak female. Then, a brighly colored male 
flew by--definately a Rose-breasted Grosbeak! The juvenile was also caught 
inside the net. One of the CostCo workers cut a hole in the netting to let the 
birds fly out. When I came back out, the birds were free and the male was 
flying behind the metal pipe in the concrete piling. 


I am glad the CostCo workers did the right thing. I think they may have thought 
that the birds were the protected Cliff Swallows. I did not say anything.
Subject: Rodeo Lagoon 5/30 - Brant
From: WGDLegge AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 14:08:12 -0400
6 (Black) Brant on Rodeo Lagoon this morning were a surprising sight, given the 
late date, and they all looked very settled feeding away, and so may have been 
at this site for a couple of days.  


Also of note was a female White-winged Scoter on the sea off the beach, 
associating with a flock of c. 30 Surf Scoter. 


Best of the rest:

1 Common Loon in breeding plumage on the sea

4 Great Horned Owl – the two juveniles and parents 

2 Hutton’s Vireo

1 1st summer male Black-headed Grosbeak

Highlights from the Memorial Day weekend included an adult Heermann’s Gull 
(23rd), the first I’ve seen this year, and a singing Yellow Warbler. 


Site year list now up to 135!

 

William Legge

Mill Valley, CA   


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Black Swan at Las Gallinas Ponds
From: "Joan Robins" <joan AT joanrobins.com>
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 01:52:40 -0000
He or she was swimming with the Geese this morning, and seemed enamored of one 
particular goose. I've never seen a Black Swan at the ponds before--has anyone 
else? 


Joan
Subject: Vagrants at Outer Point, PRNS
From: Len Blumin <Len.blumin AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 17:02:33 -0700
Rich Stallcup led a group of "Native Birds" in a search for vagrants at
Point Reyes' Outer Point today. Mist and fog dampened spirits only slightly,
until they were lifted by close open looks at a female Rose-breasted
Grosbeak at the Fish Docks (Chimney Rock). She foraged in the weeds near the
garage along the road up to the Ranger's residence. Next stop was the
Lighthouse, where a singing male Rose-breasted Grosbeak perched atop the
tree just east of the residential units. Perhaps the same male reported by
Leslie Flint at the Fish Docks yesterday. These birds need to coordinate
their vagrancy. Nunes trees had produced no vagrants today. Drakes Beach was
quiet, although we did get close views of a spiffy Pied-billed Grebe.

Mendoza Ranch was exciting. Walking along the pasture side of the row of
trees on the west side of the road, Rich put the group on a male
Black-chinned Hummingbird, who gave repeated good looks when he wasn't
sallying out to harrass a nearby Pacific Slope Flycatcher. A nearby female
Allen's Hummingbird ignored the fuss and bother.

We finished up at the RCA Station. Those who left early can kick themselves,
as we got outstanding views of a Black-and-white Warbler and an American
Redstart, both in trees adjacent to the south side of the parking lot. Rich
indicated that the wind direction bodes well for vagrants tomorrow on the
Outer Point, so give it a go.

Cheers,
Len Blumin, Mill Valley, California
len.blumin AT gmail.com
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/lenblumin/sets/72157614994688364/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Fish Docks
From: "Leslie Flint" <lflint AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 16:58:35 -0000
Yesterday I went to Pt Reyes in hopes of a SW wind. Wind for sure. I arrived at 
the Fish Docks at 8:30 and heard in the first pines what I thought was a 
singing Rose-breasted Grosbeak; however I was unable to find it and it stopped 
singing. Later in the morning a birder from VA arrived and after some time, the 
grosbeak started up singing again. He confirmed the song and this time we found 
it in the far pines. A beautiful male. Because of the wind and fog it was 
pretty quiet, but we also found an ash-throated flycatcher, Townsend's warbler 
and "Myrtle" yellow-rumped warbler. 


Leslie Flint
San Mateo
Subject: SUMMER BIRD CAMP - SOUND WORKSHOP - SHOREBIRD SERIES
From: "torusert" <sonomabirding AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 20:46:49 -0000
 Sonoma Birding Offerings  (June- September)

June 15-19th  SUMMER BIRD CAMP FOR KIDS  (Ages 8-14) 

Sonoma Birding along with its area nature partners Madrone Audubon, PRBO, RROS, 
Sonoma Co. Wildlife Rescue and Kenwood Raptor Rescue will offer five half days 
of unique birding experiences for children. Songbirds, Raptors, Owls and 
Waterbirds will be this years focus. Through classroom and field experiences, 
kids will discover the joy of birds and birding...one bird at a time! (Limited 
to 15 students). The Camp is offered through the SCC Summer Camp Program in 
Sonoma, California. $125. Partial scholarships are available. Call - 
707-938-4626 x1 to enroll. 


June 24-28th   Sound of Nature Workshop at the Muire Center

 Join Sonoma Valley's Bernie Krause and the Wild Sanctuary Team on location in 
the Grand Tetons for a 4-day natural soundscape workshop in Jackson Hole, 
Wyoming. The program focus will be the "soundscape". The Murie Center which is 
located on the Murie Ranch, a National Historic Landmark in Grand Teton 
National Park, is near the south entrance at Moose, Wyoming. Info: 
307-739-2246. 

 

SEPTEMBER SHOREBIRD MIGRATION SERIES - w/Lisa Hug
 (Sign up & class info - 707-938-4626 x1)
 
Inland Shorebirds - 9/2 - 7:00 PM & FIELD TRIPS 9/4 or 9/5  AT 10:00AM
Coastal Shorebirds - 9/9 - 7:00 PM  & field trips 9/11 or 9/12  AT 10:00 AM 

Visit http://www.sonomabirding.org/ for updates.
Tom Rusert
Sonoma,Ca.
Subject: Re: Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change
From: David Green <dcgr999 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 09:03:24 -0700 (PDT)
I heartily encourage the moderator to purge this person from the group. Not 
only is this a political issue, the person is inept since I got three copies of 
the same message. 


Dave Green




________________________________
From: Mary Keitelman 
To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 8:34:50 PM
Subject: [NBB] Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change





Please let the epa know you want the EPA to regulate greenhouse pollution under 
the Clean Air Act by issuing a proposed finding that greenhouse gas emissions 
"endanger public health and welfare." At the conclusion of the ongoing public 
comment period, the Environmental Protection Agency must finalize the finding, 
and then, at long last, issue regulations to reduce greenhouse pollution. 


Despite this forward momentum, the Obama administration is under intense 
pressure from industry to postpone or forgo the regulations. 


I'm sure you can tell that from the fact that Duke Energy, Chevron etc. have 
not changed their modus operandi one bit in the face of what really is our 
earth, burning up. We won't get a second chance at this one folks. 


The Clean Air Act is our nation's leading tool for the reduction of greenhouse 
pollution, with a proven track record of success in reducing traditional air 
pollutants. Yet the Act's very effectiveness makes it the primary target of 
industries and politicians that continue to oppose solutions to the climate 
crisis. The Environmental Protection Agency needs to hear from millions of 
Americans in support of Clean Air Act regulation for greenhouse gases. Please 
send your letter by the June 23 deadline. 


Visit http://salsa. democracyinactio n.org/o/2167/ t/5243/campaign. 
jsp?campaign_ KEY=27309 to take action. 


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


   


      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change
From: Mary Keitelman <mkeitelman AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 23:34:50 -0400 (EDT)
Please let the epa know you want the EPA to regulate greenhouse pollution under 
the Clean Air Act by issuing a proposed finding that greenhouse gas emissions 
"endanger public health and welfare." At the conclusion of the ongoing public 
comment period, the Environmental Protection Agency must finalize the finding, 
and then, at long last, issue regulations to reduce greenhouse pollution. 


Despite this forward momentum, the Obama administration is under intense 
pressure from industry to postpone or forgo the regulations. 


I'm sure you can tell that from the fact that Duke Energy, Chevron etc. have 
not changed their modus operandi one bit in the face of what really is our 
earth, burning up. We won't get a second chance at this one folks. 


The Clean Air Act is our nation's leading tool for the reduction of greenhouse 
pollution, with a proven track record of success in reducing traditional air 
pollutants. Yet the Act's very effectiveness makes it the primary target of 
industries and politicians that continue to oppose solutions to the climate 
crisis. The Environmental Protection Agency needs to hear from millions of 
Americans in support of Clean Air Act regulation for greenhouse gases. Please 
send your letter by the June 23 deadline. 


Visit 
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27309 
to take action. 




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change
From: Mary Keitelman <mkeitelman AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 23:32:19 -0400 (EDT)
Please let the epa know you want the EPA to regulate greenhouse pollution under 
the Clean Air Act by issuing a proposed finding that greenhouse gas emissions 
"endanger public health and welfare." At the conclusion of the ongoing public 
comment period, the Environmental Protection Agency must finalize the finding, 
and then, at long last, issue regulations to reduce greenhouse pollution. 


Despite this forward momentum, the Obama administration is under intense 
pressure from industry to postpone or forgo the regulations. 


I'm sure you can tell that from the fact that Duke Energy, Chevron etc. have 
not changed their modus operandi one bit in the face of what really is our 
earth, burning up. We won't get a second chance at this one folks. 


The Clean Air Act is our nation's leading tool for the reduction of greenhouse 
pollution, with a proven track record of success in reducing traditional air 
pollutants. Yet the Act's very effectiveness makes it the primary target of 
industries and politicians that continue to oppose solutions to the climate 
crisis. The Environmental Protection Agency needs to hear from millions of 
Americans in support of Clean Air Act regulation for greenhouse gases. Please 
send your letter by the June 23 deadline. 


Visit 
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27309 
to take action. 




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tell EPA: Deploy the Clean Air Act Now to Fight Climate Change
From: Mary Keitelman <mkeitelman AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 23:31:01 -0400 (EDT)
Please let the epa know you want the EPA to regulate greenhouse pollution under 
the Clean Air Act by issuing a proposed finding that greenhouse gas emissions 
"endanger public health and welfare." At the conclusion of the ongoing public 
comment period, the Environmental Protection Agency must finalize the finding, 
and then, at long last, issue regulations to reduce greenhouse pollution. 


Despite this forward momentum, the Obama administration is under intense 
pressure from industry to postpone or forgo the regulations. 


I'm sure you can tell that from the fact that Duke Energy, Chevron etc. have 
not changed their modus operandi one bit in the face of what really is our 
earth, burning up. We won't get a second chance at this one folks. 


The Clean Air Act is our nation's leading tool for the reduction of greenhouse 
pollution, with a proven track record of success in reducing traditional air 
pollutants. Yet the Act's very effectiveness makes it the primary target of 
industries and politicians that continue to oppose solutions to the climate 
crisis. The Environmental Protection Agency needs to hear from millions of 
Americans in support of Clean Air Act regulation for greenhouse gases. Please 
send your letter by the June 23 deadline. 


Visit 
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27309 
to take action. 




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: White-faced Ibis, Sebastopol
From: Terrie Miller <terriem AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 10:52:16 -0700
Hello -
Today at about 9:30 AM I saw a small flock (8-10) of White-faced Ibis  
flying over the Laguna channel in the Sebastopol Laguna Wetlands  
Preserve.  They were heading towards southwest, towards Route 12.

A first for me here!

Regards,
Terrie Miller
Sebastopol, CA



---------------------------------------
Terrie Miller
terriem AT gmail.com
http://terriemiller.com/ - Personal Blog
http://Permie.net/ - Permaculture and Sustainability
---------------------------------------
Subject: Apologies, thought I was posting "Birdogging" to SFBirds, not NBB.
From: "mr_eric_osterhaus" <eric AT ericosterhaus.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 14:58:23 -0000
But appreciate the feedback. In regards to some of the comments:

I have spoken before to Presidio personnel, the enforceability has been tied up 
in courts/public feedback periods they said, apparently off-leash was 
grandfathered in before, though it will expire soon or something, but I'll 
check back with them and other names mentioned, thanks. 


I think calling Humane Society is less practical, given that these dogs are 
vitrually always with owners and they'd be gone by the time anyone would show 
up for a non-emergency (in their minds). The first dog yesterday was the only 
one I'd ever seen there with no apparent owner, and it resisted attempts for me 
to note its tags. I did snap some camera phone pics, but I'll have it get 
better at it. 


Thanks all, and again my apologies for migrating north with the post.

Eric O
Subject: Bird Dogging at El Polin
From: "mr_eric_osterhaus" <eric AT ericosterhaus.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 05:31:39 -0000
As I looked for the Blue Grosbeak on the grassy slope between El Polin and 
Inspiration Point about 9:45AM Tuesday, a male mallard came flying low downhill 
more or less following the trail from the redwoods below Inspiration Point, 
crossing the intersection and through the big pines. I realized a dog had been 
running after it, following the trail. After the duck was gone, the dog ran 
back and forth across the grassy slope where it flushed sparrows and finches, 
but (adding insult to injury) no Blue Grosbeak. No dog owner was in sight. 


When the dog left, a female mallard flew from the general intersection area and 
landed on a log on the grassy slope and stared quacking until another off-leash 
dog ran after it. When that dog left, the female mallard settled on different 
spokes of the intersection looking around and quacking. Hard not to think she 
was calling out for her drake, staying where she last saw him, until the next 
unleashed dog sees her. 


Old news for most of us, but tough to see the dog/bird thing in action. Hope 
all the legal delays are over and they can start enforcing the federal law they 
have posted on this trail.
Subject: This morning on the O.P.
From: Rich Stallcup <rstallcup AT prbo.org>
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 13:43:34 -0700
GOOD AFTERNOON NORTHBAY BIRDERS-

I was on Outer Point Reyes this morning from 0815 until 0930.

A (or the) male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at the "A" Ranch;
 a (or the) male Indigo Bunting at the Fish Docks was hanging
with a female Indigo; there was a newly arrived female Northern
Parula in the Pines (she missed a singing male there by two days)
and there was a Rhinoceros Auklet only 100 yards off the end of the
dock itself.

Individual migrant land birds" ranch-hop" out there so we want to be
conservative concerning numbers.

The only migrants at the Lighthouse Trees were 3 Red-breasted Nuthaches,
a Wilson's Warbler and a WWPE...but things may change during the day.

These species of land-birds are normal and expected when there
is "vagrant" weather towards the end of May on the O.P.. If the southwest 
breeze 

continues, the needle on the rarity meter should climb.

            RICH




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Phoebe at the Fish Docks (Point Reyes)
From: "Natalie" <MidasVanderhand AT aol.com>
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 02:10:20 -0000
Hi everyone,

Like Ron and Phyllis Storey, I was also out at the fish docks today. I was 
there from around 2:00-4:00 pm, and saw the flycatcher they mentioned. I was 
watching it for a few minutes, and I would like to confirm that it did have a 
yellow belly. I thought it was a Black Phoebe at the time (I even mentioned 
that to another birder who was also watching the bird), and did not even 
consider Eastern Phoebe until I got home and read Ron's email. 


Here is a simple drawing I did in MS Paint of the bird I saw (I didn't get any 
photos because I thought it was a Black Phoebe, albeit a funny-looking one): 


http://i44.tinypic.com/117a25z.jpg

I remember it looked basically like a Black Phoebe from behind, but the bird 
had a gray chest and a yellow belly. There was also a vertical yellow stripe 
extending towards the bird's chest. 


There was no sign of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak or the Indigo Bunting today, at 
least when I was there. The Northern Parula was present, but it was a juvenile 
or female (likely the same individual that was at the lighthouse a few days 
ago). Besides the warbler and the phoebe, nothing else unusual. There were a 
couple Common Loons in breeding plumage down in the water and I saw a beautful 
Osprey fly by the pine trees. 


Have a great week everyone!

Natalie McNear
Novato
Subject: Fish Docks (Pt. Reyes) Today
From: harpy12 AT comcast.net
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 01:42:58 +0000 (UTC)

Birders, 



My wife Denise and I also birded the Fish Docks at Point Reyes this morning.  
We refound the singing male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at around 9:30 AM in the 
lower trees around the ranger residence.  No sign of the Northern Parula or 
Indigo Bunting. 




At Drake's Beach Monument, we observed a singing male MacGillivray's Warbler in 
the willows near the monument and a male Western Tanager in the cypress trees 
near the visitor center/cafe. 




Arguably the best sightings of the day were a Bobcat along the road in to the 
Estero Trail trailhead and a Long-tailed Weasel that we watched capture a 
gopher near the parking lot at the trailhead. 




Add to that 20+ very active Elephant Seals at the Fish Docks and you can see 
that we had a great mammal day! 




Good luck and good birding! 



Kevin Guse 

Sacramento 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: mealworm source?
From: "Claudia" <claudiamayfield AT comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 17:02:05 -0800
I live in Sebastopol and have nesting bluebirds in my bluebird box.  Today I
spotted a crow flying overhead with a dead bird which I took to be a male
bluebird.  And indeed, the female appears to be raising the family on her
own- making repeated trips with food.  I have not seen the male today.
Unless it is unwise to do so, I would like to help.  Does anyone know where
I might buy some mealworms or other suitable food?  

Thanks.  Claudia Mayfield

-----Original Message-----
From: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of David Wimpfheimer
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 8:31 PM
To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NBB] Indigo Bunting, N. Parula, RB Grosbeak & A. Bittern at Point
Reyes



This afternoon at about 2:30 pm my Point Reyes Field Seminar class and I saw
an Indigo Bunting, a Northern Parula and a Rose-Breasted Gosbeak. All the
birds were seen in the lower part of the trees surrounding the Fishdocks
residence at Point Reyes National Seashore. All were adult males. The parula
and the grosbeak were singing.

Yesterday afternoon at about 4:00 pm there was an American Bittern at Olema
Marsh. It was observed from the main viewing area. The bird was not there
this morning at 11:00.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Eastern Phoebe - Pt Reyes, Fish Docks
From: "mr_storey" <ronstorey AT ronstorey.com>
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 00:25:19 -0000
My wife, Phyllis, and I took a brief drive out to the fish docks at Point Reyes 
today. While there I was able to photograph what I believe is an Eastern 
Phoebe. Although there is no yellow in the belly, the breast is clear and the 
head is darker than the body. You can see two of the photos at 
http://ronstorey.com/EasternPhoebe - this bird was seen in the same area as a 
Western Wood-Pewee, which had a vivid bib and looked different and smaller. 


Ron Storey
Petaluma, CA
Subject: Indigo Bunting, N. Parula, RB Grosbeak & A. Bittern at Point Reyes
From: David Wimpfheimer <ceruleanswift AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 21:30:56 -0700 (PDT)
This afternoon at about 2:30 pm my Point Reyes Field Seminar class and I saw an 
Indigo Bunting, a Northern Parula and a Rose-Breasted Gosbeak. All the birds 
were seen in the lower part of the trees surrounding the Fishdocks residence at 
Point Reyes National Seashore. All were adult males. The parula and the 
grosbeak were singing. 


Yesterday afternoon at about 4:00 pm there was an American Bittern at Olema 
Marsh. It was observed from the main viewing area. The bird was not there this 
morning at 11:00. 




      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Swainson's Hawk
From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net>
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 18:43:54 -0700
While traveling back from doing some breeding bird atlasing in Solano County, 
there was a traffic jam on Hwy 12 so I took Duhig / Ramal Rds to get around it. 
I decided to drive down Skaggs Island Rd just to see what I could see and it 
paid off big time. 


I saw a dark, slender hawk soaring over the end of the Napa/Sonoma Marsh area 
and it was a dark morph Swainson's Hawk. It went right over me towards Hudemann 
Sough. This was a Sonoma County bird for me #380! 


I also coaxed a large Gopher Snake out of the road, which was an adventure in 
itself. The snake tried to bite me, and was imitating a rattlesnake, but I 
gently pushed it along just in time to avoid a fast moving car. I had seen two 
dead gopher snakes earlier in the day - one being consumed by TVs and the other 
in the talons of a Red-tailed Hawk. 


I didn't see any unusual birds while atlasing, but was able to confirm more 
nesters. 


Good Birding,
Ruth Rudesill
Kenwood CA



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Northern Parula at Point Reyes Lighthouse
From: "Natalie" <MidasVanderhand AT aol.com>
Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 20:49:27 -0000
Hi everyone,

Today I went out to the Point Reyes lighthouse at around 9:30 am, before the 
crowds got there. There were Song and Savannah Sparrows everywhere, a flock of 
15+ American Goldfinches, and a Western Wood-pewee hanging out near the first 
cypress grove. After enduring the wind and cold for about 40 minutes, I saw a 
flash of yellow in the first cypress tree - a young male Hooded Oriole (only 
had the black throat). I went closer to try and get a better look, when about 
five minutes later another tinier flash of yellow caught my eye... A juvile (I 
think) NORTHERN PARULA. I watched this bird for about five minutes and got some 
dreadful photos of it, but after that it disappeared and I couldn't find it 
again after searching for another half hour. On the way back down to the 
parking lot I met some other birders coming up, I didn't get their names but 
they were very knowledgeable and confirmed that it was a Northern Parula. 


After that I went to the Fish Docks... I originally wasn't going to go out 
there, but the aforementioned birders made me change my mind, hahaha. As soon 
as I got there I unfortunately saw more collared-doves than I'd ever seen there 
before, but I also saw a couple of Cedar Waxwings and Western Bluebirds. As 
soon as I reached the pine trees I was greeted by a spectacular male WESTERN 
TANAGER who was busy feeding in the upper branches. There was also a warbler in 
those trees...When I first saw it I thought it was a female Blackburnian 
Warbler (bold facial markings and a plain yellow throat), but in some pictures 
I got of it I could make out some faint markings on the throat, so it was 
determined to be a late TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. The birders I met before had also 
come to the fish docks by then, and confirmed it as a Townsend's. 


After all that I felt a bit hypothermic, so I decided to call it a day. Here 
are a couple of the (very bad) photos I got of the parula: 


http://i43.tinypic.com/2hp57qx.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/29w3cxv.jpg

Soon after I left the lighthouse was filled with tourists, so as far as I know, 
no other birders were able to find the parula again. Tomorrow morning might be 
a better time to look for it. 


Have a great weekend everyone!

Natalie McNear 
Novato