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09 May Murre off Harbor pier ["sbtechmy" ] 9 May Tomorrow's IMBD [Rebecca Coulter ] 8 May Later Pine Siskins [Paul G Rosso ] 08 May Re: Prairie Falcon [Florence Sanchez ] 08 May Prairie Falcon [Florence Sanchez ] 7 May FW: Elegant Terns nr Fess Parker-Dbltree Hotel ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 06 May North VAFB Birds near SLC-2 ["Jamie Chavez" ] 06 May Area K at noon [Florence Sanchez ] 06 May big day by bike ["jwd2000" ] 6 May YB Magpie in SB [Rebecca Coulter ] 6 May White-crowned Sparrow [] 06 May 2 Wandering Tattlers at SB Harbor ["sbtechmy" ] 5 May Goleta birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 05 May Pluvialis Dyslexia ["Mark Brown" ] 05 May COPR - April, 2008 ["Callie Bowdish" ] 05 May Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 21 - Sunday May 4, 2008 ["liskelly" ] 4 May Re: Golden-Plover at SMRE 5/4/08 [Oscar Johnson ] 4 May crow chases after raven in Solomon Hills [Don Tate ] 04 May Golden-Plover at SMRE 5/4/08 ["Mark Brown" ] 04 May Area K Ibis ["Kyle Braunger" ] 4 May Late Pine Siskin [Paul G Rosso ] 3 May Cattle Egret at Area K ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 03 May Correction [Robert Lindsay ] 3 May Bates Road ["Guy Tingos" ] 03 May Saturday Goleta Birds [Robert Lindsay ] 03 May Santa Maria birds ["Mark Brown" ] 2 May Cedar Waxwings ["Karen Vanhorn" ] 02 May More North VAFB Birds ["Jamie Chavez" ] 2 May Re: Thursday birds [Dave Compton ] 2 May Thursday birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 2 May Great Egret apparently nest building at Cachuma [] 02 May Re: Lake Los Carneros Wed Afternoon ["sbfledgling" ] 1 May Cuyama and adjacent Santa Barbara County Birds [Paul G Rosso ] 01 May Help to protect Snowy Plovers ["Nicole" ] 01 May UCSB Campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 30 Apr Bank Swallow [Dave Compton ] 30 Apr Santa Barbara Channel [Peter Gaede ] 01 May Lake Los Carneros Wed afternoon ["sbfledgling" ] 30 Apr LA Audubon Pelagic trip cancelled [Florence Sanchez ] 30 Apr UCSB Campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 29 Apr Canada Larga [nancy states ] 29 Apr Farren road by bike ["jwd2000" ] 29 Apr Channel Islands Trip to Santa Rosa Island, April 27, 2008 ["Callie Bowdish" ] 28 Apr Another Santa Barbara Big Day [Dave Compton ] 28 Apr UCSB Campus Notes [Florence Sanchez ] 28 Apr Figueroa Mountain Birds. [Paul G Rosso ] 28 Apr E San Antonio Rd Birds [Paul G Rosso ] 27 Apr Request for info. [Hugh Ranson ] 27 Apr ADMIN >>>THREAD CLOSED<<< Re: Bob and Ray ["Jamie Chavez" ] 28 Apr Bob and Ray ["robdenholtz" ] 27 Apr Cuyama Valley ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 27 Apr Cuyama Valley ["Wes Fritz" ] Subject: Murre off Harbor pier From: "sbtechmy" <sbtech AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 14:57:42 -0000 At 7am there was a murre off the east end of the harbor pier. Probably a Common Murre with white underparts and throat but I didn't see a white nape or dark eyeline at the distance. Regards, Ron HirstSubject: Tomorrow's IMBD From: Rebecca Coulter <rfcsb AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 07:06:08 -0700 Hello birders, Tomorrow is the annual International Migratory Bird Day (always the second Saturday in May), celebrated in many ways around the world. One of the ways we can do this locally is by collecting migrant bird data when we go birding tomorrow! I am again compiling data collected tomorrow from anyone who would like to keep track of what they see. At some point, I would like to explore options on eBird on how to post this and past years' data there; anyone who has any ideas about this is welcome to contact me privately about it. Until then, please send me raw data and I will compile: Excel or FileMaker documents are preferred, but I will also take Word docs. I encourage you to go out and count birds tomorrow! Please email me your results by June 15. Thank you, and great birding to everyone, Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara Here are some tools for you to use: website for IMBD: http://www.fws.gov/birds/imbd/ Microsoft Word data collection form (out of date but still usable):  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Later Pine Siskins From: Paul G Rosso <prrosso AT juno.com> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 19:36:24 -0700 This morning, May 8th, there was a pair of Pine Siskins present at our thistle feeder on the southside of Lompoc. This is very late. Paul Rosso Lompoc Cell: 805-588-4320Subject: Re: Prairie Falcon From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 10:20:11 -0700 I forgot to mention that Tom thought this might have been in the vicinity of where Tularosa Road intersects with 246. Florence --On Thursday, May 08, 2008 9:49 AM -0700 Florence SanchezSubject: Prairie Falcon From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 09:49:27 -0700 My husband Tom reports that he found a Prairie Falcon on State Highway 246 between Buellton and the La Purisima Golf Course yesterday. Unfortunately, he didn't note the mileage. The bird was perched on a post at the edge of an open field "past the wineries." It took off, giving an excellent view of the black "armpits" in flight. Florence SanchezSubject: FW: Elegant Terns nr Fess Parker-Dbltree Hotel From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 09:02:34 -0500 All: Just forwarding this message. Nick -----Original Message----- From: kurtcapt87 AT verizon.net [mailto:kurtcapt87 AT verizon.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 7:01 AM To: Lethaby, Nick Subject: Elegant Terns nr Fess Parker-Dbltree Hotel Nick Lethaby, Probably nothing too unusual, although the recent 2 Big Day teams missed this species. Seven sitting on the beach across the street from the Fess Parker. (me? on official travel from Alexandria, VA to DARPA Kick Off mtg at the Fess Parker wish I could get out and do more than walk the beach!!!!) Kurt GaskillSubject: North VAFB Birds near SLC-2 From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 17:43:52 -0700 I checked the small pig pond willows at lunch time today which is just outside my SLC-2 workplace on north Vandenberg AFB. The pigs obviously visit daily. One day I walked up on a big sow and her three piglets. Fortunately she didn't see me coming and I slowly backed out. She was as big as a Buick. Today I was surprised to find a NASHVILLE WARBLER in the greenery along with a couple of Wilson's Warblers. The Nashville is a new bird on the "where I work" bird list. The pond is drying fast and there probably won't be much water in a month or so. I keep thinking I'll find a waterthrush or something before it dries. Yesterday there was a single male Western Tanager there. Early this morning when I stepped from my truck I heard the unmistakable "chip" of a late Yellow-rumped Warbler. I spotted the bird in a stubby pine before it flew off. I suppose a YR Warbler makes some sort of news by early May. Good birding, ______________ Jamie M. Chavez Santa Maria, CA <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Area K at noon From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 13:49:50 -0700 I checked the Area K portion of Goleta Slough at noon today. I found two white-faced Ibis in with the Egrets and Herons, and the Snow Goose continues. Other waterfowl included lots of Gadwall, a few Mallards, Coots, and Pied-billed Grebes. I did not find a Cattle Egret among the other Egrets. Florence SanchezSubject: big day by bike From: "jwd2000" <jdawson AT silcom.com> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 17:49:05 -0000 It was a learning experience yesterday as Kathleen and I spent about 11 hours biking around Goleta valley looking for birds. The hard part was lugging the scope around on my back, especially given the lack of birds at Area K and Goleta point. The best part is having the full view of sky and being able to hear bird songs better while on the road. I just wish we had done this one or two weeks ago. It was in general a very quiet day. We came up with 96 species. Mostly expected common species. The Osprey that was perched on the east side of Lake Los Carneros Park was a surprise (we were really looking hard for a kite which we could not find). We had 2 small flocks of Vaux's Swifts on Farren Road, and at least one White-throated Swift as well there. We had to wait about 15 minutes before we caught the song of the Grasshopper Sparrow. In the Goleta Slough mouth, there was a Red-throated Loon. To respond to Guy's recent question, we did not see any White-crowns, and were lucky to get Lark and Savannah. Certainly did not find any Nashville Warblers. Only the Yellows were common, and we found only one singing Warbling Vireo. Bird on! Jared Dawson Santa BarbaraSubject: YB Magpie in SB From: Rebecca Coulter <rfcsb AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 08:24:25 -0700 Sorry for the late notice... On Sunday morning about 8:30 I saw a Yellow-billed Magpie on a wire near the corner of Foothill Road and Calle Laureles in Santa Barbara. It had something in its bill, but I wasn't sure if it was just struggling to swallow a bulky french fry or carrying it elsewhere. I've been driving Foothill/Cathedral Oaks regularly for nearly 20 years and have never seen a magpie there. Wanderer? Escapee? Hard to know. Good birding, Rebecca Coulter Santa BarbaraSubject: White-crowned Sparrow From: <guy.tingos AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 10:29:00 -0400 A single gambelli White-crowned Sparrow is still in my backyard as of this morning. This is quite late for this subspecies to still be here. Is anyone else still seeing White-crowns? Guy Guy Tingos Santa Barbara, CASubject: 2 Wandering Tattlers at SB Harbor From: "sbtechmy" <sbtech AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 01:52:07 -0000 Two Wandering Tattlers were together on the breakwater rocks at SB Harbor this afternoon. Not rare but worth noting. Regards, Ron HirstSubject: Goleta birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 15:14:13 -0500 All: A quick check today hoping for Gull-billed Terns yielded gulls and terns and many bills ... Goleta Sewage Ponds: 37 Bonaparte's Gulls, an adult Forster's Tern. Ducks included what appeared to be a male Lesser Scaup, although it looked quite large. Area K: An immature White-faced Ibis and the Snow Goose. Devereux: Nothing of note Nick Lethaby DSP/BIOS, DVSDK, Codec Engine, xDAIS Product Manager Texas Instruments 805 562 5106 nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Pluvialis Dyslexia From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 05:28:08 -0000 Thanks Oscar! Yes, that is a Black-bellied Plover. One minute after I pushed the send button I figured out that the bill was much too big for a Golden Plover. One post I would have like to get back. I forgot to mention there were many Surf Scoters on the walk out to Mussel Rock. And two Common Loons out that way also. Everyone please celebrate the victory of the people's army over the French empire tomorrow by birding and finding some nice Mexican bird species who have overshot their breeding grounds, like a Cave Swallow (Nice photos Oscar!) or a Varied Bunting would be nice. Mark Brown Santa MariaSubject: COPR - April, 2008 From: "Callie Bowdish" <cjbowdish AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 03:14:09 -0000 Coal Oil Point Reserve - April, 2008 http://homepage.mac.com/cjbowdish/COPRApril2008Subject: Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 21 - Sunday May 4, 2008 From: "liskelly" <farmer.kelly AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 03:10:22 -0000 Howdy Folks, Sorry to have missed last week's lake notes; here they are: The SCRUB JAY nest in front of the nature center fledged at least 2 youngsters. A pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS are in the box on the Deodora Cedar in the Nature Center's front yard. COMMON LOONS are gone. HERRING and RING-BILLED GULLS are gone; CALIFORNIA GULLS disappeared a while ago. Most of the OSPREY and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS are gone The last WHITE PELICAN was seen Sunday April 6th. 1 AMERICAN WIDGEON and 1 RING-NECKED DUCK were seen back in Storke Flat. Been seeing about 6 EARED GREBES, all in breeding plumage in the back of Cachuma, on Santa Cruz Flat, and at Storke Flat. Seeing and hearing SORA RAILS in Santa Cruz Flat and Storke Flat. One sighting of an adult BALD E AGLE heading across the main channel and up Cachuma Bay. This week (April 28 – May 4): 4 GREAT EGRETS in the Great Blue Heron Rookery; one sitting in an old nest. Liz had 6 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS on Friday; I usually feel lucky to see one on a cruise. Yellow Warblers are everywhere, and lots of them. An adult BALD EAGLE sighting Sat, one of the resident pair perched in their `signature' tree near the intake. Another sighting of one flying over the marina this morning. A ~5 year old immature BALD EAGLE at the back of Cachuma Bay was a real surprise Saturday morning; its head and tail were still a bit dingy but for the most part white; it had 2 blue wing tags (I couldn't get the number :^( An AMERICAN COOT on a nest this morning in Storke Flat. Lots of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS at the back of Cachuma Bay this morning. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS seem to be gone. Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 21 - Sunday May 4, 2008 All sightings by Liz Mason and Melissa Kelly Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Green Heron Butorides virescens Great Egret Ardea alba Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Wood Duck Aix sponsa Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Gadwall Anas strepera American Widgeon Anas americana Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Osprey Pandion haliaetus California Quail Callipepla californica Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo American Coot Fulica americana Sora Porzana carolina Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Western Sandpiper/Least Sandpiper Calidris mauri/Calidris minutilla Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii House Wren Troglodytes aedon Wrentit Chamaea fasciata Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana American Robin Turdus migratorius California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus California Towhee Pipilo crissalis White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria House Sparrow Passer domesticus Melissa Kelly Ass't Naturalist Cachuma Lake County Park Santa Barbara County, CASubject: Re: Golden-Plover at SMRE 5/4/08 From: Oscar Johnson <henicorhina AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 20:07:56 -0700 (PDT) Mark et al, This looks fine to me for a Black-bellied Plover in prealternate molt. The bill is to thick, and the legs to long, and it lacks an ear spot, amongst other characteristics. And also, both species of phalaropes are represented in the photo from the sewage ponds. Good birding, Oscar Johnson Santa Barbara ----- Original Message ---- From: Mark BrownSubject: crow chases after raven in Solomon Hills From: Don Tate <osomocoso AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 15:59:16 -0700 (PDT) A crow chased after a raven over Palmer Rd in the Solomon Hills Sunday. It was only the second time in a half century that I've seen both species at the same time. Don Tate, Lompoc [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Golden-Plover at SMRE 5/4/08 From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 04 May 2008 23:04:34 -0000 All: At the Santa Maria River Estuary, specifically the beach area I saw a flock of Black-bellied Plovers and as they flew one did not have black "armpits" . Later I got a few pictures of it. I think it is an American Golden-Plover. In the Rare Birds of California book there are only two spring records accepted both from the Salton Sea. I believe that the American Golden-plovers moult at their northward resting stops on their way to the breeding grounds. (kinda like here, the SMRE) While the Pacific Golden-Plovers who are going to breed moult on the wintering grounds. (like Guadalupe Sewage)But I could be wrong. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Also along the shore were lots of Whimbrels, Sanderlings, Western Sandpipers, and a few Marbled Godwits. There was a deceased Common Murre and a live Pigeon Guillemot. At the Guadalupe Sewage plant was a few Wilson's Phalropes and Red-necked Phalaropes. Many dowitchers of both flavors I think. One lone Dunlin was there also. In the ag pond north of the Guadalupe Sewage pasture was 3 Green-winged Teal, one male Blue-winged Teal, 2 Buffleheads, 4 Northern Shovelers, lots of Cinnamon teal, Gadwalls and Mallards. Also one gigantic Canada Goose was out there. Regards, Mark Brown Santa MariaSubject: Area K Ibis From: "Kyle Braunger" <kylebraunger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 04 May 2008 22:01:43 -0000 Yesterday (5/3) and this morning, there were 7 WF Ibis at Area K, including 5 alternate plumaged adults. The "uncorrupted" Snow Goose was on the south shore taking a mid-morning sunbath. The melanistic Ruddy Duck was at its usual spot on the lake yesterday, but was not seen this morning. On Farren Road, a Common Ground Dove was calling from the fence along the west side of the avocado grove, a few hundred yards north of the reservoir. All of the birds mentioned by Rob L. in his post yesterday were easily seen, with the exception of the Grasshopper Sparrows, which were heard only. Kyle BraungerSubject: Late Pine Siskin From: Paul G Rosso <prrosso AT juno.com> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 11:46:52 -0700 This morning, May 4th, there was a male Pine Siskin present at our thistle feeder on the southside of Lompoc. This is very late. Saw a female with him on April 26th. Paul Rosso Lompoc Cell: 805-588-4320Subject: Cattle Egret at Area K From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 19:25:34 -0500 All: I forgot to mention that I had one of the Cattle Egret at Area K on Thursday. No sign of the Snow Goose. Nick Lethaby DSP/BIOS, DVSDK, Codec Engine, xDAIS Product Manager Texas Instruments 805 562 5106 nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Correction From: Robert Lindsay <capnbob AT sbceo.org> Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 17:01:09 -0700 My post this morning should have read Semipalmated Plover at Devereaux this morning, not Semipalmated Sandpiper. Thanks for alerting me, Dave. So many names, so little brain. Rob LindsaySubject: Bates Road From: "Guy Tingos" <guy.tingos AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 14:32:49 -0700 Nothing unusual, but at least it was birdy at Bates Road this morning: Olive-sided and Pacific Slope Flycatchers, Phainopepla, Swainson's Thrushes, Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers. Carpinteria Creek birding was very slow. Looks like I managed to go this spring without seeing a single Nashville Warbler! Guy Tingos Santa Barbara, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Saturday Goleta Birds From: Robert Lindsay <capnbob AT sbceo.org> Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 11:04:38 -0700 Saturday 5/3 7:30-10:30 am Farren Road - Nearly all the good birds were in and around the Eucalyptus grove at the top of the hill. These included Western Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Ash-throated Flycatcher, a Violet-green Swallow, and Western Bluebirds. Heard but did not see at least two Grashopper Sparrow a bit farther down the road. Also saw a Raven harrassing a Red-tailed Hawk near the reservoir. Did not see Lewis's Woodpecker or Lark Sparrow for first time in several visits. Winchester Canyon - Had Northern Oriole, a Warbling Vireo, a Yellow Warbler, and a small flock of Cedar Waxwing. Lots of woodpeckers (Acorn, Downy, and Nuttall's). Nothing else of note. Devereaux Slough - An easy to find Red-necked Phalarope at the first pull-out along with a Canada Goose, a pair of Gadwall, Semipalmated Sandpiper and a Bonaparte's Gull on the far shore, and a good number of Black-necked Stilt. The second pullout had some Wigeon and a Vaux's Swift fly over. Goleta Beach - Nesting Great Blue Herons and Great Egret in the Eucalyptus across the channel opposite the restaurant. Up the channel leading to Atascadero Creek was a medium flock of Double-crested Cormorant with several sporting breeding feathers, and quite a few Western Grebes with a single Clark's Grebe among them farther up the channel.. That's all, Rob LindsaySubject: Santa Maria birds From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 04:12:22 -0000 All: This week (April 25-May 2) in birds for the Santa Maria area: Last Friday I saw a breeding male Green Heron on Highway 166 at Alamo Creek. Lehman describes them as a rare but regular nester, it looked read to nest with day-glo orange legs. Sunday April 27 I saw a Cattle Egret at River Oak Park in Santa Maria. I also so one on that pond along the 101 north of Los Alamos Thursday. April 28th I saw an adult Glaucous-winged Gull and a bleached first/second year Thayer's Gull at the SMRE. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Today May 2, 2008 I heard an American Bittern at the River Oak Park in Santa Maria. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Bittern_dtl.html#sound . What a cool sound! This is a weird place with very little bulrushes to speak of. May 2 is a little late for one also. At the Santa Maria Sewage plant, there were many migrating shorebirds. There was a small flock of Wilson Phalaropes, all females in full breeding regalia. Very beautiful. Also a small flock of Red-necked Phalaropes. Luckily close to the Wilson's showing the size difference. Also a small flock of Dunlin, all with black bellies. Dozens of dowitchers mostly Long-billed but with a flock of five that were Short-billed by sound. Western, Least, Spotted sandpipers as well as Black-necked Stilts, Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, and American Avocets galore. An American Wigeon was at the sewage plant also. A handful of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were still hanging around there also. Mark Brown Santa MariaSubject: Cedar Waxwings From: "Karen Vanhorn" <karenvanhorn AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 21:59:07 -0700 A flock of cedar waxwings has been in the white birch trees in the three - hundred block of Rametto Road in Montecito the last two days. Karen Van Horn [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: More North VAFB Birds From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 19:49:42 -0700 A few interesting birds from SLC-2 on North VAFB today. There is a small pond within walking distance near my work place that only attracts wild pigs and the most common dune scrub species, but a small push of migrants today produced some Orange-crowned Warblers and a Wilson's Warbler in a small patch of willows near the edge of the pond. While pishing the warblers into view an unexpected Golden-crowned Sparrow popped up. Also seen was a single White-throated Swift that rocketed overhead. I was surprised there was only the one. Also heard were a few Lawrence's Goldfinches moving north. As I was about to leave and walk back to work I heard the chatter of a Hooded Oriole as it flew in. It briefly fed in the willows before moving on. It's odd seeing a Hooded Oriole in dune scrub. Another interesting observation is the nesting activities of European Starlings and House Finches within the SLC-2 rocket tower structure (and Barn Swallow last year). These are the most common species to utilize the tower for nesting. It is not unusual that they choose to nest in the structure, after all it has lots of nooks and crannies. What I had never considered until today as they rolled the tower back to it's retracted position is that the nests of these birds are now about a football field length (probably longer) away from where they were! As the crews do hoisting operations or refurb work on the launch deck the tower is rolled away on tracks to accommodate. It's not like a huge steel tower structure is easy to miss- (Hey! Where did my nest go?!!), but it is interesting that the birds need to shift their feeding operations to a new location from where it was just fifteen minutes earlier. It makes me wonder about other similar scenarios where a bird might need to adjust to a moving nest location. ______________ Jamie M. Chavez Santa Maria, CA <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: Thursday birds From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 12:29:33 -0700 (PDT) A little perspective on Gadwall numbers: Nick's count is higher than any I have record of for this species in Goleta after March and before late summer. I have counts from '05 and '06 for parts of Goleta Slough (excluding Area K) of up to the low 80s, but those were all in March. The highest SB CBC total has been 122 on 2 January 2005. These numbers are all higher than you'd expect based on Lehman's Birds of Santa Barbara County, California (1994, at which time the SB CBC high was only 61). Dave Compton Santa Barbara "Lethaby, Nick"Subject: Thursday birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 12:25:46 -0500 All: I made various brief stops around Goleta yesterday and saw the following: Devereux: a Red-necked Phalarope and a Greater Yellowlegs Goleta Beach: RT Loon on the slough and offshore. Common Loon offshore. Eared Grebe offshore. Area K: 48 Gadwall is probably the highest count I've had around Goleta, although I don't often count them. Also 3 RN Ducks and the melanistic Ruddy Duck - cool bird Nick Lethaby DSP/BIOS, DVSDK, Codec Engine, xDAIS Product Manager Texas Instruments 805 562 5106 nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Great Egret apparently nest building at Cachuma From: holmgren AT lifesci.ucsb.edu Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 10:02:56 -0700 On 27 April 2008, Dave Compton and I watched briefly a Great Egret standing in a tree across the E end of Lake Cachuma. We saw it bending and breaking off big twigs 3 or 4 times before we left to continue our Big Day. We were standing on hwy 154 and scoping across the river delta. As I recall the tree looked as much live as dead or deciduous. It was approximately in line with (or slightly to the left of the line connecting) us and the osprey platform. It was not very far up that slope. Could be a bird intending to nest. This would be only the second spot that I know of in SB County where Great Egrets breed. Mark Holmgren San Marcos PassSubject: Re: Lake Los Carneros Wed Afternoon From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 00:32:36 -0000 Here are a few pics from yesterday at LLC... common moorhen, coot chicks being fed, Chocolate colored mallard, sora and a few others. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbfledgling/sets/72157604836914139/show/ Adam Lewis GoletaSubject: Cuyama and adjacent Santa Barbara County Birds From: Paul G Rosso <prrosso AT juno.com> Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 17:05:19 -0700 Today, May 1st we birded in the Cuyama Valley following up on some previous postings. First at Richardson's Park in New Cuyama was a male Lawrence's Goldfinch. Ballinger Canyon had singing Brewer's Sparrows in the first area with scrub after the cleared fields. Also there was a male Western Tanager. In the scrub after the ranch house on the road were singing Sage Sparrows. Cuyama dairy had male Yellow-headed and Tricolored Blackbirds. The ponds had Black-necked Stilts and Western Sandpipers. At the base of Santa Barbara Canyon, near the house was a flock of about 10 male and female Lawrence's Goldfinches. The pair of Burrowing Owls continued in the field on Perkins Road about 1.5 miles from Rt 166 just beyond the horse barn. Found a Vaux's Swift on Rt 166 west of New Cuyama. Paul & Rita Rosso LompocSubject: Help to protect Snowy Plovers From: "Nicole" <ncerra AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 18:57:36 -0000 A bird haven throughout the year, Coal Oil Point Reserve hosts habitat for over 50 avian species. The sandy beach and dunes at the estuary's mouth is under constant, careful watch for the protection and recovery of two of these species: the threatened Western Snowy Plover, and the endangered California Least Tern. You can get involved by becoming a SNOWY PLOVER DOCENT! Over the past seven years, dedicated individuals have helped bring the plover population back at Coal Oil Point and the effort is still going strong. Each docent plays a crucial role in the protection of the plovers by educating beach users about this threatened species. The next volunteer training is on: Saturday, May 10 from 9am - 1:30pm. For more information, please call Jennifer Stroh, 893-3703, 880-1195 or email stroh AT lifesci.ucsb.edu Hope to see you at Coal Oil Point Reserve! http://coaloilpoint.ucnrs.orgSubject: UCSB Campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 16:18:29 -0700 Today I checked out the wetlands at Los Carneros and Mesa Roads. Not much in the pond on the east side of Los Carneros Road. I found one pair of Ruddy Ducks--the male vigorously displaying, and a few coots, including a flock of small young coot chicks. In the wetland across the road, the only ducks were single drakes of Mallard and Gadwall. Maybe ducks on the nest somewhere? Area K also had very few waterfowl left, but the Snow Goose found last week is still there. Also present was a surprising male Ring-necked Duck. A Pied-billed Grebe was whooping it up, and I wonder about possible nesting in the vicinity. There were 3-4 pairs of Mallards present, one with three half-grown ducklings with them. Also 6-8 pairs of Gadwall. One pair of American Wigeon still remains, but I could not locate any Shovelers today. In all wetland locations today, there were also a few Great Egrets feeding, Red-winged Blackbirds in the reeds, and Cliff Swallows swooping over the water. Florence SanchezSubject: Bank Swallow From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:34:52 -0700 (PDT) A Bank Swallow was flying over Goleta Slough between Area K and the main runway at the Santa Barbara Airport today. When I saw the bird it would not have been identifiable with binoculars from any publicly accessible place. But it may have been hanging out around Area K, or it may have been just blowing through. Dave Compton Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Santa Barbara Channel From: Peter Gaede <pgaede AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:26:03 -0700 S.B. Birders: I went out on the 2.5 hr. Condor Express whale trip this afternoon. We stayed relatively close to shore (~5 miles) due to swells and limited time. We found and had outstanding looks at 7 Humpback Whales. No major bird rarities, but there was enough activity to keep things interesting the entire time. Somewhat unexpected was a NORTHERN FULMAR. Also seen were Pink-footed Shearwater-5; Sooty Shearwater-45; Red-necked Phalarope-42; Elegant Tern-10; and Common Murre-7. Peter Gaede Santa BarbaraSubject: Lake Los Carneros Wed afternoon From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 00:49:41 -0000 At the cooper's hawk nest I saw tail feathers hanging over the edge and an adult doing overwatch on the other side of the road, about 20 feet up. I guess mama is still on the eggs. At the apron where the ducks are fed a sora was out in the open picking at the ground. If approached slowly it didn't mind as I got within 10 feet. From that vantage point I saw what I suppose is a male mallard. It had a chocolate colored head, neck, tail and wing patch. It was quite handsome for being a bit off his usual color. From the apron opposite the duck feeding area I was able to observe very young coots being fed. The youngsters, six in all, were bald and clumsy. And from the footbridge looking north I saw a pair of somewhat older coot youngsters foraging for themselves although adults were nearby. From the center of the footbridge looking south I watched a common moorhen for about 20 minutes. There's a cluster of trees about 25 yards away with brown reeds lying down underneath. The moorhen was in the water at the edge of the reeds but out in the open. The one I saw Friday had a more prominent white flank strip and seemed more secretive. Today's bird was oblivious to me and several strollers crossing the bridge. Adam Lewis GoletaSubject: LA Audubon Pelagic trip cancelled From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:18:59 -0700 In case anyone on this listserve was planning to sign up at the last minute, I got a call this afternoon that LA Audubon's Pelagic trip out of Santa Barbara on the Condor Express this Saturday has been cancelled by the ship's captain. High seas today forced the cancellation of all trips, and since the forecast is for the same or worse this weekend, he made the decision to cancel the trip. So, I won't get a Laysan Albatross this year . . . Florence SanchezSubject: UCSB Campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:15:59 -0700 Today at noon and low tide, I walked the beach around campus point. On the east facing beach before the point, I had a flock of about 20 Whimbrels fly in. On the sand, there was a group of 6 Semi-palmated Plovers and 1 breeding plumaged Dunlin. I could make out two Black Turnstones on the rocks at Campus Point, but there may have been more--the view from ground level is not the best. Also on the beach were two Bonaparte's Gulls--an immature and a fully-hooded adult that was slightly oiled. An Elegant Tern flew by--the first one I've seen in the vicinity of Campus Point this spring. In Goleta Bay, there was one non-breeding Common Loon hanging out with the Grebes. One Surf Scoter flew west past Campus Point. That and a few Brandt's Cormorants were the only things moving past. Again, hard to see from ground level and there was a very rough sea today. The Mute Swan continues in the Campus Lagoon. Florence SanchezSubject: Canada Larga From: nancy states <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:31:03 -0700 Three of us went to Canada Larga this morning. it was great. There were dozens of Lazuli Buntings singing all along the road. Plus many Phainoplelpas nesting, lots of male and female Bullock's and Hooded Orioles , and a few male and female Blue Grosbeaks. We also saw a Roadrunner, Warbling Vireo and a Yellow Warbler. At the end of the road in the woods we found a Ring-neck Pheasant "honking" for our final bird. It was quite a morning. Nancy StatesSubject: Farren road by bike From: "jwd2000" <jdawson AT silcom.com> Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:21:46 -0000 I biked over to Farren Rd late this morning, figuring I was too late in the day, but the birds seemed as relieved as I was to have it a bit cooler. There were numerous singing Lazuli Buntings in the lower canyon, and Cassin's Kingbirds and several Bullock's Orioles of both sexes vocalizing in the big eucalyptus. Just up the road, a Grasshopper Sparrow teed up close by and sang steadily for over 5 minutes. At the same time, a Lewis's Woodpecker was on top of the nearby pole. A bit later and farther up, a Greater Roadrunner flushed off of the road down canyon. Here also was a seasonally unusual Say's Phoebe. Just up from that were a pair of Ash- throated Flycatchers. A short stop at the Rio Vista riparian was not as good, but I did catch Tanagers and a singing Yellow Warbler, the first of 6 singing Yellows that I ended up with on the ride. Three were heard as I passed Tucker's Grove. Hummers seemed largely absent from everywhere today. For 3 hours on the bike, I ended with 53 species without any water birds. I hope to do a "Big Day" by bike next week, so this was a good trial run. Happy spring birding! Jared Dawson Santa BarbaraSubject: Channel Islands Trip to Santa Rosa Island, April 27, 2008 From: "Callie Bowdish" <cjbowdish AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:33:59 -0000 http://homepage.mac.com/cjbowdish/SantaRosa042708 Channel Islands Trip to Santa Rosa Island, April 27, 2008 - sights include: Humpback Whales, Common Loon, Common Murre, Dall's Porpoise, Pelagic Cormorant in Breeding Plumage, Black Oystercatcher, dunes, Torry Pines, Santa Cruz Island CallieSubject: Another Santa Barbara Big Day From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:59:31 -0700 (PDT) Mark Holmgren, Oscar Johnson, Ryan Terrill, Matt Brady, and I did a Big Day in
Santa Barbara County yesterday, only two days after the record county Big Day
by Peter Gaede, Wes Fritz, and Mark Billings. We came up well short of the new
record, but with a respectable 181 species. It was warm throughout the day, and
the strong winds that were forecast the day before never materialized.
We started our day on the coast at about 2:15am looking for rails and bitterns
at Lake Los Caneros. We then owled with relatively little success, finding only
Great Horned, Barn, and Western Screech, and arrived a little behind schedule
to the Figueroa Mtn/Ranger Peak area. We managed to do pretty well in the
mountains, despite the relative lack of migrants and missing some birds that
had been seen just two days before. We did get some birds in the mountains that
Peter, Wes, and Mark missed, including Hermit Thrush, White-headed Woodpecker,
and Nothern Pygmy-owl. Next, we made our way to the Lompoc area via Barka
Slough, and we arrived at the Santa Ynez estuary in late morning. With 156
birds by 2:40pm, I thought we had a chance to match the new record, but things
went less well over the next couple of hours. We missed a number of stakeouts
in the midafternoon heat, and we arrived on the south coast late and still well
short of 170. After this, we did manage to add
Tropical Kingbird at the Bird Refuge, Say's Phoebe at New Married Student
Housing, and an assortment of other stakeout birds to get our total to 181 at
dusk at Coal Oil Pt.
Among the more painful misses were some birds that just shouldn't be that hard
to find:
Wood Duck
White-tailed Kite (!)
Peregrine Falcon
Wandering Tattler
Heermann's Gull
Spotted Owl
Common Poorwill
Vaux's Swift
Horned Lark
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (!!)
Rock Wren
Canyon Wren
MacGillivray's Warbler
Tricolored Blackbird
We also missed some nice birds that had been around in the previous day or
two:
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Moorhen
Clark's Nutcracker
Red Crossbill
Cassin's Finch
Some of the better birds were:
Snow Goose - 1 at Area K in Goleta (I was less excited about the corrupted
bird at Waller Park in Santa Maria)
Bald Eagle - 1 on Alisal Rd
Mew Gull - 1 scruffy ad at the Laguna Creek outfall in SB that looked
suspiciously like the one that had been at the Goleta sewage plant two days
earlier
Herring Gull - 1 ad at the Santa Ynez River estuary
Lewis's Woodpecker - 1 at Zaca Station Rd
White-headed Woodpecker - 1 nr the entrance to Pino Alto Picnic Area
Tropical Kingbird - 1 at the Bird Refuge in Santa Barbara
Loggerhead Shrike - 1 on Hwy 135 near Los Alamos
Purple Martin - 1 on Alisal Rd
Hermit Thrush - 2 singing in the Ranger/Figueroa area
Pine Siskin - several flyovers in the Ranger Peak/Figueroa area
Thanks to Mark, Oscar, Ryan, and Matt for a fun day. And congrats to Peter,
Wes, and Mark on the great job they did on Friday to push the SB County record
a little closer to 200.
Dave Compton
Santa Barbara
Complete List of Species
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Canada Goose
Brant
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Surf Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Mountain Quail
California Quail
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Brown Pelican
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
Snowy Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Willet
Whimbrel
Long-billed Curlew
Marbled Godwit
Black Turnstone
Surfbird
Sanderling
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Red-necked Phalarope
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Caspian Tern
Forster's Tern
Royal Tern
Black Skimmer
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Barn Owl
Western Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owl
White-throated Swift
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Lewis's Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
White-headed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Cassin's Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Loggerhead Shrike
Cassin's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
Yellow-billed Magpie
American Crow
Common Raven
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Mountain Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Western Bluebird
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Wrentit
Northern Mockingbird
California Thrasher
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Phainopepla
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Hermit Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Hooded Oriole
Bullock's Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
Lawrence's Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: UCSB Campus NotesFrom: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:45:46 -0700 Today at noon I walked around Campus Point at low tide. Very little activity. Two individual Pacific Loons flew by close to the point, and there was a little east and west movement of Brandt's Cormorants--that's all. No shorebirds on the beach except for a flock of 5 Semi-palmated Plovers. Florence SanchezSubject: Figueroa Mountain Birds. From: Paul G Rosso <prrosso AT juno.com> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:40:28 -0700 Today, April 28th birded Figueroa Mtn. from 0815 to 1200 Noon. At the Figueroa CG, there were several Black-throated Gray Warblers around site 18. About 6 M/F Cassin's Finches around site 12 and the continuing pair of Cassin's Vireos were at campsite 25. Also, at site 25 was a male Western Tanager. Later along Cataway Rd at the first up gully past the old picnic area (about 1 mi. in) was a singing Western Wood-Pewee. Also, there were a couple of singing Olive-sided Flycatchers on dead trees down slope in this area. On the way back to the old picnic site, there was a conifer with lots of new cones, which were being worked by about a dozen Red Crossbills. Paul Rosso Lompoc Cell: 805-588-4320Subject: E San Antonio Rd Birds From: Paul G Rosso <prrosso AT juno.com> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:30:52 -0700 Yesterday, Sunday April 27th, birded on E. San Antonio Road, which is off RT 1 north of VAFB. There was a pair of Blue Grosbeaks at the 3.19 mile marker and a single singing male at 3.37 mile marker, both on southside of road. There was also a male Lazuli Bunting at 3.19 mile. There were also continuing Ash-throated Flycatchers, Yellow-breasted Chats and a male Bullock's Oriole in the same area. Paul Rosso Lompoc Cell: 805-588-4320Subject: Request for info. From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:30:28 -0700 An childhood Welsh birding friend of mine, Alan Davies, and his girlfriend, Ruth Miller, are in the midst of a quest to beat the record for number of birds seen in the world in a calendar year. You can follow their exploits at http://www.thebiggesttwitch.com/ The current record stands at 3662, and they're already well past the half way point. They'll be in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, and I'm trying to help them fill in the holes of birds they've missed. One such bird is Allen's Hummingbird, which I've seen very few of this year (what a difference a year makes!). Have any of you seen a male recently, or better yet, know where there is a breeding pair? Your help would be most appreciated. Please reply privately. Hugh R. SB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: ADMIN >>>THREAD CLOSED<<< Re: Bob and Ray From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:14:27 -0700 A thread or link outside the scope of the group might be allowed to "sneak in" below the radar if it is at the end of a county bird report or similarly allowable topic, but only in this way. ______________ Jamie M. Chavez Santa Maria, CA sbcobirding Moderator <") ( \ / |`` ----- Original Message ----- From: "robdenholtz"Subject: Bob and Ray From: "robdenholtz" <robdenholtz AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:20:59 -0000 Thought you might enjoy this bit on Whooping Cranes by Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbeqH47pyB0&feature=related Rob DenholtzSubject: Cuyama Valley From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:41:34 -0500 All: Like Wes I was in the Cuyama today. My trip was aimed at butterflies and was a complete failure. In addition to seeing some of Wes's birds I also saw a Rock Wren and a Say's Phoebe, the latter singing in New Cuyama. I later refound the 0solitary Sandpiper at Caliente Ranch. There were single G. Yellowlegs and Wilson's Snipe there as well. As usual, Lawrences's Goldfinch were abundant in SB Canyon. A female Hooded Oriole was in New Cuyama. Nick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Cuyama Valley From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:20:20 -0700 S.B. Birders, Yesterday 4/26/08 and today 4/27/08 Cher Hollingworth and I birded the Cuyama Valley, birds of note are. 4/26/08 Caliente Ranch, the wetland/pasture on Hwy 166, had one Solitary Sandpiper and one Snowey Egret. Perkins RD. 1.5 miles South of Hwy 166, 2 Burrowing Owls, 1 was catching Checker White Butterflys and eating them. A farm pond off of Bell Rd had about 250 nesting Tricolored Blackbirds, 4 Great Tailed Grackles and 2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Cuyama Dairy ponds (private) 2 Black-necked Stilts, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 10 Western Sandpipers and 21 Least Sandpipers. Ballinger Canyon, we saw at least 5 Lesser Nighthawks feeding together in the early evening. 4/27/08 Cuyama Dairy ponds, 5 Black-necked Stilts, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Spotted Sandpipers, Western and Least Sandpipers were hard to count, due to a Northern Harrier hunting the ponds. Santa Barbara Canyon, 4 singing Brewer's Sparrows. Ballinger Canyon, 5 singing Brewer's Sparrows and several singing Sage Sparrows. Rancho Bonilla (Asi Es Mi Tierra) had 1 Swainson's Thrush and a few other migrants. Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |