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16 May UCSB Campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 16 May What's the deal with 5:05pm? ["matt v" ] 13 May El cap tattlers ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 12 May Birding back issues free [Paul Keller ] 12 May Figueroa Mountain, 2012-05-12 [Wim van Dam ] 12 May Breeding Juncos ["Noah" ] 12 May Sat birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 12 May Figueroa Mtn. morning chorus and bonus Pygmy Owl ["Peter Schneekloth" ] 12 May Re: Yellow-Headed Blackbirds Goleta ["justinwatts0" ] 11 May Yellow-Headed Blackbirds Goleta ["justinwatts0" ] 11 May LLC [Nancy States ] 10 May UCSB Campus Notes [Florence Sanchez ] 10 May Snowy Plover nests in Devereau slough ["patwalker11" ] 9 May Wilson's Phalaropes at Mesa and Los Carneros [maggie sherriffs ] 09 May Kite sight last night ["tripleadria" ] 09 May UCSB campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 9 May Devereux Wilson's Phalaropes ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 09 May Green Heron Lake Los Carneros ["gtk_trout23" ] 08 May Re: Field trip to Rancho Santa Barbara, now Sat May 12. ["Adam" ] 08 May Friday Bird Walk at Campus Lagoon ["Adam" ] 7 May Solitary Sandpiper at Tucker's Grove reported [Wim van Dam ] 07 May UCSB Campus Notes [Florence Sanchez ] 6 May OCEAN PARK (SYRE) [libby lindsay ] 6 May Sunday birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 6 May South Refugio Road, 2012-05-06 [Wim van Dam ] 6 May Farren Rd. May 6 ["Barbara Millett" ] 06 May Nesting Swainson's Thrushes in Miguelito Canyon ["Paul Rosso" ] 5 May north-west county, 2012-05-05 [Wim van Dam ] 5 May Miguelito Canyon [libby lindsay ] 05 May Jesusita Trail Continuing YB Chat ["justinwatts0" ] 05 May Moonwatch 5.4.12 ["Noah" ] 05 May Farren Rd. Purple Martins ["Noah" ] 4 May Farren Rd. [Nancy States ] 04 May Wandering Tattler ["jamesl" ] 04 May UCSB Campus Notes [Florence Sanchez ] 03 May Wandering Tattler at SB Breakwater ["Paul Rosso" ] 03 May Audubon White-tailed Kite Watch Update ["mariahhelenedmonds" ] 03 May UCSB Campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 3 May Winchester Canyon chat ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 1 May Campus Point 5/1 5:30-6:45 pm ["Barbara Millett" ] 01 May Oak Park, Bell's Vireo ["Noah" ] 30 Apr Purple Martins ["Wes Fritz" ] 30 Apr Updated BIRDS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA now on-line! [Wim van Dam ] 30 Apr Ocean Park Ibises and Phalarope ["Paul Rosso" ] 30 Apr Goleta Beach 4/30 [Rebecca Coulter ] 29 Apr Re: Refugio Rd. Chat Clarification [Wes Fritz ] 29 Apr Swainson's Hawk, Yellow-breasted Chat at Lauro Cyn Res/Jesusita Trail [cedar Mathers-Winn ] 30 Apr Refugio Rd. Chat Clarification ["rebeccacoulter" ] 29 Apr Kinevan Road ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 29 Apr Re: Is there a Zone Tail Hawk around these days? [Dave Compton ] 28 Apr Refugio Yellow-breasted Chat [Rebecca Coulter ] 29 Apr Lesser Yellowlegs ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 28 Apr Is there a Zone Tail Hawk around these days? ["tripleadria" ] 28 Apr Snowy Egrets at Los Banos [Hugh Ranson ] 28 Apr Farren Road [Nancy States ] 28 Apr San Marcos Foothills - Lazuli ["justinwatts0" ] 28 Apr Devereux WF Ibis ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 28 Apr LOS White-throated Sparrow on Lompoc southside ["Paul Rosso" ] 27 Apr American Crow with long down-turned bill ["erinfeinblatt" ] 27 Apr Campus Point, 2012-04-27 [Wim van Dam ] 27 Apr Figueroa Mountain [Wes Fritz ] 27 Apr Lesser Nighthawk [Jamie Chavez ] 27 Apr LLC Palm Warbler ["rebeccacoulter" ] 27 Apr Black Vulture ["mattcaligiure" ] 26 Apr Re: [venturacobirding] Wondering about pelagic trip? [Wes Fritz ] 26 Apr Fwd: [CALBIRDS] April 28 Santa Barbara Pelagic - Weathered Out. [Wes Fritz ] 26 Apr Yellow-headed Blackbird at Los Carneros and Mesa NW [Maggiesherriffs ] 27 Apr Wondering about pelagic trip? ["Kay Regester" ] 26 Apr Lawrence's Goldfinch at Miguelito Park ["Paul Rosso" ] 26 Apr UCSB Campus Notes [Florence Sanchez ] 25 Apr Western Tanagers [Nancy States ] 25 Apr Re: UCSB campus notes ["Wim_van_Dam" ] 24 Apr Friday Bird Walk: Tucker's Grove ["Adam" ] 24 Apr UCSB campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 24 Apr Catway Road, 2012-04-22 [Wim van Dam ] 24 Apr our 2012 Green Big Day ["Wim_van_Dam" ] Subject: UCSB Campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Wed, 16 May 2012 13:25:15 -0700 I had time to walk the beaches for the first time in several days. Birds were scarce, but there were a couple of surprises. A pair of Mallards was feeding in the surf line, acting like Brants. On the rocks at Campus Point, there was one Whimbrel hanging out with the Brandt's Cormorants. On the beach west of Campus Point, I found two Black-bellied Plovers (non-breeding) and a Sanderling (breeding). These are the first BB plovers I have seen on the beaches in several weeks. No shorebirds hanging around the Lagoon but Kildeer. At the Old Gym wetlands, I heard a singing Western Tanager and a Wilson's Warbler. The Downy Woodpecker nest appears to have been abandoned. I think a Scrub Jay raided it. One has been hanging around. I heard another Western Tanager was calling in the eucalyptus trees next to Ellison Hall. Florence Sanchez ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: What's the deal with 5:05pm? From: "matt v" <fickity AT netscape.net> Date: Wed, 16 May 2012 00:11:59 -0000 Greetings! Yesterday when I returned from work, I noticed a large raptor being escorted by about 16 Am. Crows. I ran in and got the camera, and fired off several shots of what I'd soon determine was a GOLDEN EAGLE juvenile in heavy moult. Excellent yard bird! Today when I returned home, another raptor was making strafing passes through the yard. Again I got the camera, and was pleased to note an adult PRAIRIE FALCON! Both these sightings occurred at about 5:05pm, the time I pull in from work. If I can make a request for tomorrow? Swainson's Hawk please? Barring that, a California Condor would be sweet... -- Matt Victoria Mattei Rd Santa Ynez, CA 93460 My photos can be seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com/fickity.net ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: El cap tattlers From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 21:58:59 +0000 2 wandering tattlers were at El Cap this AM ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Birding back issues free From: Paul Keller <wrentitpk AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 19:47:08 -0700 Hi all, I'm ready to free up some shelf space and give up my Birding magazine collection. It's yours free for the asking. The collection runs from 1996 June through 2007 December. (The 2002 December issue is not in my possession as it is still on loan to Mark Holmgren.) I'll probably be in Santa Barbara next Sunday (May 20) morning, so if you're in south county, maybe we can arrange delivery. Paul Keller Vandenberg Village ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Figueroa Mountain, 2012-05-12 From: Wim van Dam <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 18:35:41 -0700 Today Maggie Sherriffs and I birded the larger Figueroa Mountain area. It was crazy. Read it and weep: - Most intriguing bird was a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, which, according to [Lehman2012], obliterated the previous latest spring record of May 1, 1976. Moreover, the bird was in a habitat appropriate for nesting, so this might get more interesting as spring progresses. - We had 2 SAGE SPARROW together; April--June is the breeding period for this species - A male WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER completed the trifecta for noteworthy breeding possibilities - WARBLER wise, things were not too shabby either: besides the expected YELLOW and ORANGE-CROWNED, we also had 3-4 TOWNSEND'S, 2-3 HERMIT, a YELLOW-RUMPED (Audubon), and a continuing out-of-place WILSON'S WARBLER - Excellent views were had of 6 MOUNTAIN QUAIL (more were heard) and a GOLDEN EAGLE - Several ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES, and OLIVE- SIDED FLYCATCHERS were seen; many more were heard. - Other to-be-expected birds were: WARBLING VIREO, STELLER'S JAY, COMMON RAVEN, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, WESTERN TANAGER, many LAZULI BUNTINGS, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, and many, many charms of LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES. - Heard but not seen were a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, as well as RED- BREASTED and PYGMY NUTHATCHES - Odd-bird-of-the-day was a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT flying over the mountain. Yes, you could say it was a good day. - Wim van Dam (Solvang, CA) ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Breeding Juncos From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 22:07:46 -0000 5/12/12 I checked San Jose Creek near the Berkeley Bike Bridge and Maria Ygnacio Creek just North of 101 today. I had a few spring birds of note: singing Swainson's Thrushes at both locations, and Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Black-chinned Hummingbird, etc. However, I also found a pair of adult Dark-eyed Juncos feeding a youngster. This was just downstream from the bridge where University hits Ribera. From the bike path on the east side of the creek. I seem to remember some interest in breeding juncos last year. Also, large numbers of Cedar Waxwings (50+) were present at both locations. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara, CA ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Sat birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 20:13:58 +0000 All: I got off to a great start with a Redpoll at Devereux and a Field Sparrow at LLC. Then I woke up and realized I was dreaming I lived in LA county... Reality birding proved less exciting. I checked out a few riparian areas hoping for vagrants. The mitigation area off S. Patterson had a singing Swainson's Thrush (S. of Patterson) and a pair of Hairy Woopeckers, which is I think is odd for the coastal plain. Atascadero creek W. of Patterson had another singing Swainson's along with Wilson's and Yellow Warblers. The riparian strip in IV off Camino Corto had nothing. There were 25 SP Plovers at Devereux and 120 Sanderlings at Haskell's Beach. I have been checking Area K for Bank Swallows in the recent low cloudy mornings but only few hirundines here. Nick Lethaby office: +1 805 562 5106 mobile: +1 805 284 6200 e-mail: nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Figueroa Mtn. morning chorus and bonus Pygmy Owl From: "Peter Schneekloth" <peterschneekloth AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 18:47:42 -0000 Upper Davey Brown trail was abuzz with birds this morning. Cassin's (one confirmed nest) and Warbling Vireo's, Black Headed Grosbeaks, Western Tanager, Purple Finch all singing in the narrow confines of the canyon was quite the performance. A late Townsend's Warbler was also hanging around still. Western Wood Pewee added in. On the way up the mountain from the Los Olivos side I stopped and opened the window to get a look at a Lark Sparrow on the fence and was rewarded with Northern Pygmy Owl calling. He was persistant enough I was able to find him in the open in the top of a tall pine. Managed a few distant photos. It kept calling off and on for the half hour I was there and was still at it when I left. Still poppies and lots of bush lupines, the mountain was very fragrant this morning so made for a great morning. Peter Schneekloth Buellton ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Re: Yellow-Headed Blackbirds Goleta From: "justinwatts0" <justinwatts0 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 01:36:37 -0000 Quick update - I went back at 5:30 pm with a camera, and the YH blackbirds flushed and many more gathered in the reeds. I was able to get a high count of 74. -Justin Watts Goleta --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "justinwatts0"Subject: Yellow-Headed Blackbirds Goleta From: "justinwatts0" <justinwatts0 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 23:13:36 -0000 Right now (4 pm) at Mesa x Los Carneros NW corner. At least 27 yellow-headed blackbirds resting among the reeds. Most of the flock was at the western end in the small patch of reeds, but a few were in the larger center patch. Also present was 1 Wilson's Phalarope (could easily have been more), and some mallard chicks. The Canadian Goose nest is unattended and 3 eggs are visible. -Justin Watts ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: LLC From: Nancy States <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 12:23:22 -0700 Debbie , Gayle and went to LLc this morning. It was full of birds. So many Western Tanagers and Black-headed Grosbeaks were singing in the eucs in the parking lot. It was fun. There were Pacific-Slope Flycatchers calling and many many Yellow Warblers. We also saw quite a few Hooded Orioles and found a nest near the house. Over near the Kite's nest we saw two fledgings sitting out waiting for food. As we stood on the path by the dam wall Two Little Green Herons flew over and around the lake and landed on the North east side of the lake in some fallen reeds. We saw them again from the trail on the other side of the lake. After crossing the bridge we heard a Phainopepla calling and saw the female. In the olive trees near the house were two Blue-grey Gnatcatchers. They were there in the same place last Sat. We saw and heard a lot of Purple Finches. A good day at the lake. Nancy States Santa Barbara ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: UCSB Campus Notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 10 May 2012 13:45:02 -0700 I checked out the wetlands at noon today. The pond on the northwest corner of Mesa and Los Carneros Roads still has 4 Wilson's Phalaropes. Ducks present were two pair of Gadwall and several Mallards, including 1 duckling. Nothing much across the road. The restored wetlands behind the public safety building had 1 pair of Gadwall, a few mallards, and a couple of Kildeer. A White-tailed Kite was mobbing a Dark-phase Red-tailed Hawk overhead. Area K had at least a dozen pairs of Gadwall, a few coots, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, and several Black-necked Stilts. The Shovelers and American Wigeons that I found earlier in the week appear to have finally departed. Florence Sanchez ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Snowy Plover nests in Devereau slough From: "patwalker11" <walker AT chem.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 10 May 2012 01:08:41 -0000 We have our first Snowy Plover nest on the mud flats in the slough near the golf course. It's a little known secret, that Snowies nest inside the slough, and perhaps this year the water level will stay low enough for successful nesting. The slough is currently empty. You can see the Snowy on her nest from the first pull-out on Slough road, with a spotting scope and diligence, near the northwest corner. We had our first Snowy plover chicks in the beach area hatch May 3. It was a slow start to the breeding year, (fortunate since we had so much bad weather in March), but the Snowies are wasting no time nesting now. With so little beach area many of the nests have been clearly visible from outside the rope fence. Pat Walker, COPR nest monitor ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Wilson's Phalaropes at Mesa and Los Carneros From: maggie sherriffs <maggiesherriffs AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 17:48:27 -0700 There have been five Wilson's Phalaropes, including some gorgeous females in breeding plumage, at Mesa and Los Carneros NW for the last couple of days. Maggie Sherriffs Goelta [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Kite sight last night From: "tripleadria" <Jrsaaahome AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 09 May 2012 18:41:54 -0000 We had a wonderful time watching a lone Kite perched atop a Norfolk Is. Pine before sunset last night (5/8/12). Located in the Arango Way/La Gama Way area. Haven't seen Kites perch near here previously, but are relatively new to this location in SB. It sat for 20+ minutes preening and stretching (very yoga like single legged stretch at one point). He/she finally winged off towards Pebble Hill Rd. direction. Wish I had something other than a little point & shoot camera! Adria ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: UCSB campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Wed, 09 May 2012 13:27:36 -0700 Now deep in the late spring doldrums, there is very little happening on the beaches or flying past CAmpus POint. Yesterday I had 3 Whimbrels on the beaches and today, a flyover flock of 6. A couple of handsome Caspian Terns are hanging around Campus POint. That's it! Two Mute Swans are now hanging out in the east end of the UCSB Lagoon. No shorebirds at the northwest corner of the Lagoon except for a couple of Kildeer. Florence Sanchez ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Devereux Wilson's Phalaropes From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 17:38:06 +0000 There were 2 from the N Pull out today. Nick Lethaby office: +1 805 562 5106 mobile: +1 805 284 6200 e-mail: nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Green Heron Lake Los Carneros From: "gtk_trout23" <glenn AT gntnz.com> Date: Wed, 09 May 2012 17:17:27 -0000 This morning about 9AM a GREEN HERON was by the west end of the dam. It flew across to the reeds on the far est side of the lake. Glenn Kincaid San Marcos Pass ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Re: Field trip to Rancho Santa Barbara, now Sat May 12. From: "Adam" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 08 May 2012 19:37:57 -0000 The twice-postponed field trip to Rancho Santa Barbara is now on for Saturday May 12. Start time remains 7:30 at the car pool location or 8:00 AM at the front gate. Directions and details below. Adam Lewis www.SantaBarbaraAudubon.org --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Adam"Subject: Friday Bird Walk at Campus Lagoon From: "Adam" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 08 May 2012 19:31:45 -0000 Where: UCSB Campus Lagoon
When: Friday, May 11, 2012 (8:30 -10:30)
Target Birds: Grebes, Herons, Dowitchers, Ducks, Godwits, Plovers, etc
Leader: Jack Sanford
Directions: From Hwy 101 south take the Ward Memorial Blvd exit. Take the
Goleta Beach County Park exit and park at the west end (nearest UCSB campus) of
the Goleta Beach parking lot. Coming from the north on Hwy 101 take the
Fairview Ave off ramp and head towards the ocean. Follow Fairview Ave which
turns into Fowler Rd and turn right into the Goleta Beach County Park. We will
park and meet at the west end of the Goleta Beach parking lot (nearest the UCSB
campus).
Adam Lewis
www.SantaBarbaraAudubon.org
------------------------------------
For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com
.
Subject: Solitary Sandpiper at Tucker's Grove reportedFrom: Wim van Dam <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 7 May 2012 16:41:59 -0700 FYI: I got a report today of a Solitary Sandpiper in the debris basin above Tucker's Grove. - Wim van Dam (Solvang, CA) ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: UCSB Campus Notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Mon, 07 May 2012 13:21:25 -0700 I had a report of a possible Western Kingbird nest near the Rec Center on campus. This has been a past nesting area for Cassin's Kingbird, but not for Western so I checked it out today without finding any Kingbirds whatsoever. I than checked Area K, where still present were 2 male Northern Shovelers and at least 3 pairs of American Wigeons. Also present were several pairs of Gadwall (more expected than the other two species). No Ibis or unusual waders were hanging around and the only shorebirds were Black-necked Stilts. I then walked over to the new wetland behind the Public Safety building, where I found Kildeer, more Stilts, several Mallards, 1 male Gadwall, and a Snowy Egret. While I was observing them, a flock of 3, then 2 American Wigeons flew from Tecolotito Creek toward Area K, making even more of this species still hanging around. Florence Sanchez ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: OCEAN PARK (SYRE) From: libby lindsay <glassolives AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 6 May 2012 20:23:31 -0700 (PDT) Male BRANT joined AVOCETS and STILTS this afternoon at low tide--on sandbar up stream from island. Whimbrel, Willets, Western Sandpiper, Greater Yellow Legs, and 3 baby Killdeer joined the festivity. Libby Lindsay Lompoc [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Sunday birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 6 May 2012 20:47:01 +0000 All: A YB Chat was vocalizing along the creek in Winchester Canyon, best seen from inside the small park. An Olive-sided Flycatcher was perching up in a dead Yucca along E. Camino Cielo. After starting to look good for the rest of the spring migration, Devereux blew out again with last night's high tide. Nothing of interest at Area K or Goleta Beach. Nick Lethaby office: +1 805 562 5106 mobile: +1 805 284 6200 e-mail: nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: South Refugio Road, 2012-05-06 From: Wim van Dam <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 6 May 2012 13:24:40 -0700 This morning I saw and heard the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at South Refugio Road that Rebecca reported last weekend. At around the same location I also had, besides the usuals, 2 BLUE GROSBEAKS, a LAZULI BUNTING, and, surprisingly to me, 1 or 2 CASSIN'S VIREO. Continuing in Rebecca's footsteps, further up the road there were at least 3 CANYON WRENs interacting at a likely nest site. I don't know what that was about as it seems too early for young Canyon Wrens to have fledged already. Besides some more Canyon Wrens singing, I also heard a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL. - Wim van Dam (Solvang, CA) --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, Rebecca CoulterSubject: Farren Rd. May 6 From: "Barbara Millett" <millett12 AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 6 May 2012 12:06:34 -0700 Seen during an hour's walk on Farren Rd this morning -- the birds of note (to me): Common Raven - 1 Blue Grosbeak - 1 Phainopepla - 2 Hooded Oriole - 2 Chipping Sparrow - 1 adult Lark Sparrow - 3 Ash-throated Flycatcher - 2 Western Kingbird - 1 Cedar Waxwings - 15 Warbling Vireo - 1 California Thrasher - 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1, singing its entire song - usually I only hear its calls. Missed the Grasshopper Sparrows. Barb Millett Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Nesting Swainson's Thrushes in Miguelito Canyon From: "Paul Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 06 May 2012 10:56:39 -0700 May 6th, 9 am, two Swainson's Thrushes in Miguelito Canyon were gathering nesting material. They were located about 3-400 ft upstream of Frick Spring on the opposite bank from the road in some flatten dead 'reeds'. Paul & Rita Rosso Lompoc, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: north-west county, 2012-05-05 From: Wim van Dam <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 5 May 2012 23:49:58 -0700 This Saturday Peter "Tropical Mockingbird" Schneekloth and I birded the NW corner of the county. Our more notable observations were as follows. AT Barka Slough: 12+ LAZULi BUNTING, 5+ BLUE GROSBEAK, 3+ ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, VAUX'S SWIFT, many WILSON'S and YELLOW WARBLERS AT Guadalupe Dunes County Park: CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, again many WILSON'S and YELLOW WARBLERS, 1 WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE; 3 AMERICAN AVOCET AT Black Rd, South of 1: 1 GREATER ROADRUNNER AT 246 between Lompoc and Buellton: 2 GOLEN EAGLES - Wim van Dam (Solvang, CA) ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Miguelito Canyon From: libby lindsay <glassolives AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 5 May 2012 13:56:30 -0700 (PDT) Male WESTERN TANAGER at marker 4.44 in huge oak at streamside. Brilliantly colored male HERMIT WARBLER at Frick Springs in oak. 3 OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHERS on electric wires at marker 8.27 near Eucs. ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER on fence at Eucs. LAZULI BUNTINGS at top of hill and at bottom after 8.27 Libby Lindsay Lompoc [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Jesusita Trail Continuing YB Chat From: "justinwatts0" <justinwatts0 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 05 May 2012 19:56:20 -0000 Today near Jesusita Trail, just after the trail crosses the concrete structure over the creek (34.45416,-119.73238). Yellow-Breasted Chat prominently singing on high perches and feeding on berries near the trail. In the same bush there were 2 Swainson's Thrush, and a male and female Phainopepla. Black-Chinned Hummingbirds, Western Tanager, a yellow warbler, Warbling Vireo, and large numbers of Lessor Goldfinch were nearby. Good spring birding. - Justin Watts Goleta ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Moonwatch 5.4.12 From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 05 May 2012 15:21:28 -0000 Last night (5.4.12) I performed a moonwatch for 3x10 minutes from 9:55 - 10:30 pm. I observed a total of 26 birds sillhouetted by the moon. This included 19 UFOs, 3 warblerish birds, and 4 thrushy birds. Of the 19 UFOs, there was a flock of 6 birds. The birds generally flew from the lower left quadrant to the upper right, with some birds going from 6 to 12 and others going 9-3. One bird did zip across going the other way. I observed the birds from my driveway in Santa Barbara Noah Gaines Santa Barbara ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Farren Rd. Purple Martins From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 05 May 2012 06:04:31 -0000 10.4.12 Today I walked Farren Rd after work. The pollen was bad but the birds were good. I parked at the top of the first hill and birded till next hill past the reservoir Seeing 3 Purple Martins was a surprise. I saw the same female 3x near the reservoir. Other good birds include. Blue Grosbeak. 2 females Lazuli Bunting. M and F Grasshopper Sparrow. 1 heard Hooded Oriole. M and F Black-headed Grosbeak. 1 male singing. Lark Sparrow: 4 Western Kingbird. 4 Warbling Vireo: 4 Thanks Nancy for posting on this great spot. Noah Gaines ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Farren Rd. From: Nancy States <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 17:18:05 -0700 Debbie, Gayle and I went to Farren Road this morning. We saw 2 Grasshopper Sparrows at the first turn out at the top of the hill. Vaux' Swifts over head and down the hill a bit a Lazuli bunting. In the Eucs across from the gate we had 2 Phainopeplas and a Hood Oriole. Farther on the road we had Bluebirds, 10 West. Kingbirds and an Ash-Throated Flycatcher. Near the reservoir we saw two Killdeer with 2 small fledglings. Another Lazuli Bunting plus a Willow Flycatcher. Nancy States Santa Barbara ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Wandering Tattler From: "jamesl" <tagdesjim AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 04 May 2012 22:13:11 -0000 Still there today. On the beach when I was there at noon, right next to the end of the breakwater. Jim Long Santa Barbara ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: UCSB Campus Notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Fri, 04 May 2012 13:13:18 -0700 Again, the beaches belonged to the Semi-palmated Plovers and Sanderlings today, with the Sanderlings outnumbering the Plovers. The lone dunlin was also with them again. There were 3 Surfbirds on the rocks at Campus Point. Also present on the beaches were # Whimbrels and a flyby Marbled Godwit, a species I haven't seen for a few weeks. No sebirds flying east to west past Campus Point today, but I did have a lone Surf Scoter going the other way. Lots of Brandt's Cormorants on the Point, almost none flying by. Four Dowitchers continue in the UCSB Lagoon. Florence Sanchez ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Wandering Tattler at SB Breakwater From: "Paul Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 03 May 2012 21:30:26 -0700 May 3rd, 4 pm, at the very end of the Santa Barbara Breakwater was a Wandering Tattler in breeding plumage quietly sitting on a rock. From others there , it had been quite active previously. There was group of 8 Whimbrels foraging in the very swallow water near the NE end of the line of rocks. This was about 2 hours after a 0.7 foot low tide. Paul Rosso Lompoc, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Audubon White-tailed Kite Watch Update From: "mariahhelenedmonds" <mariahhelenedmonds AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 03 May 2012 23:09:16 -0000 Hello, everyone! This is Mariah from Audubon Kite Watch! What a lovely springtime-- after all of the overcast days, it's so nice to have blue skies and sunlight again. Sorry I've been so poor at communication; it's been a hectic year. From now on, I will try my best to have a weekly update and kite watch time/locations. I would love your help with this year's Kite Watch! Please feel welcome to join! We meet on Monday evenings from 5:30PM-dusk and head to Natural Cafe (Hollister in Old Town Goleta) afterwards. We have many active kite sites (see below): More Mesa and Ellwood Central/East have weekly volunteer groups and the less-active sites have rotating volunteer groups. Please feel free to stop by More Mesa or Ellwood Central/East; if you would like to join up with the other groups, please email me for the dates that they will be out there. As of now, we have over 16 volunteers who meet weekly at Goleta sites. Most are biology-focused SBCC and UCSB students; we have a friendly, passionate group of people! If you are free on Monday evenings, we would love your help and company. As most of the volunteers are new to birding, we are particularly in need of birding mentors and weekly volunteers. GOLETA WTK STATUS as of 1 May 2012: Maps provided by Mark Holmgren. Monday was quite overcast and very slow. Isla Vista (Red Barn): No kites seen on site. 2 kites seen flying overhead towards Coal Oil Point Reserve. (Map: http://tinyurl.com/7qwfavh) Coal Oil Point Reserve: Established pair (prey exchange) at faculty housing. Pair frequents 3 trees; volunteer suspects a potential nest nearby. (Map: http://tinyurl.com/8ytl86y) Winchester Canyon: No kites seen. Ellwood West: 1 kite seen foraging from Ellwood East. No confirmed prey captures. (Map: http://tinyurl.com/7xmxmxn) Ellwood Central and East: 2 kites with confirmed territories, one in Central West, one in Central East. Possible 3rd kite in Central East. Possible breeding behavior, very uncertain: 2-3 prey captures at Central East, each followed by direct flight into eucalyptus grove. 1st time seeing this behavior. (Map: http://tinyurl.com/72orplw) More Mesa: 1 confirmed pair on East Side: 3 prey strikes with no confirmed capture. 2 birds on West Side: 1 confirmed prey capture, no prey exchange. Each side had a crow encounter. 4 confirmed birds on More Mesa total, possible 5 total birds. Volunteer group enter on Patterson side. Feel free to call me any time at (916)479-2503 or email me at audubonkite AT gmail.com. Best, Mariah ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: UCSB Campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 03 May 2012 13:33:44 -0700 First time this week out at noon! There are a few smaller shorebirds going through. Mostly Semi-palmated plovers: groups of 7, 12, and 20 actively working the beaches; with them 6 Sanderlings, some in breeding plumage, and a breeding Dunlin. Also found 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 3 Whimbrels, and on the rocks, 3 Black Turnstones. Only migrating seabirds found were two Pacific Loons. In the Lagoon, there were 4 Dowitchers feeding. Looked like Long-billed going into breeding plumage; sounded like Short-billed. I give up. Not much found in the old gym wetlands besides a female Selasphorus hummingbird. However, a Downey Woodpecker has an active nest low in the trunk of a willow on the north side of the wetland (behind and between two young pines). Florence Sanchez ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Winchester Canyon chat From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 3 May 2012 03:29:22 +0000 All: There was a singing YB Chat near the entrance to the small creekside park in Winchester Cyn this AM. Nick Lethaby Software Development Organization Texas Instruments office: +1 805 562 5106 mobile: +1 805 284 6200 e-mail: nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Campus Point 5/1 5:30-6:45 pm From: "Barbara Millett" <millett12 AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 1 May 2012 20:44:34 -0700 During a seawatch this evening: On rocks below point: 4 Wandering Tattlers, 1 Black Turnstone, 2 Brant, about 80 Sanderlings (2 in almost full alternate plumage), 3 Whimbrels. Seabird migration was pretty minimal -- 7 small groups of Pacific Loons -- about 4-5 loons in each group. 2 skeins of 70 Brant each, 2 skeins Surf Scoters, about 40 each. Brandt's Cormorants, about 20, in singles or groups of 2-3. Barb Millett Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Oak Park, Bell's Vireo From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 01 May 2012 15:36:36 -0000 This morning, 5/1/12, I heard a probable Bell's Vireo at Oak Park. Along Tallant Road, just east from where it passes by the tennis courts, there is a staircase. I heard the bird between the stairs and the Samarkand community. I never saw the bird (I needed to get to work) and although the song sounded a bit slow for Bell's, it sounded much to scratchy for Warbling. I only heard it call twice. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara, CA ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Purple Martins From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:25:58 -0700 SB Birders, I had only a couple of hours to bird today. Yes, I had to be responsible today. Anyway, I made the short circuit around the Alisal and Nojoqui Park. At the south end of the Alisal Guest Ranch at the rodeo grounds I counted a minimum of 16 Purple Matins and at Nojoqui Park I counted or saw at least 8 Purple Martins, this was around noon, not the best time to be counting Purple Martins. This seems to be a pretty good year for them with martins being seen in former nesting areas of SLO County and San Diego having a few birds prospecting nest site in the Kitchen Creek area, that is way cool. The Central Valley seems to be reporting more marins than normal and more wide spread also. The north side of the Santa Ynez Mountains has just been going off with western migrants. I could make a long list of the birds I just heard today singing, but that would take longer than I wish to type. If you are wanting to hone your western bird song skills, I recommend birding on Refugio Road, yes the Santa Ynez side or the Alisal Road and up near Nojoqui. It is full of singing birds and they are easy to see for confirmation. Good birding. Wes Fritz (805)895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net Solvang, Ca. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Updated BIRDS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA now on-line! From: Wim van Dam <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:08:23 -0700 Updated BIRDS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA now on-line! A draft revision of the book THE BIRDS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA by Paul Lehman is now available on-line at: https://sites.google.com/site/bosbc2012/ It is updated with information available through February 2012. For many years Paul has wanted to update his 1994 manuscripta lot happens in the bird world over almost two decades! So, he began updating the book in 2010. Two years later, here are the revisions to all the species accounts, as well as to the introductory chapters dealing with Habitats and Methods. The other chapters in the 1994 book dealing with Topography and Climate, Ornithological History, Bird Migration and the Seasons, and Changes in Habitats and Bird Populations in Santa Barbara Countyhave yet to be updated and so are not yet included. The species accounts are all current through Winter 2011-2012. Paul has attempted to not only incorporate the many individual records of interest made since April 1994, but also to update general status and distribution information for most species, as well as to discuss important historical and recent population trends. But this is still very much a work in progress. Every time he re-reads several accounts, he still finds things to tweak. There are many holes remaining to be filled. More detail on the changing status for some species is still needed. More information on other species is warranted. The 'flow' of some accounts since being updated could be a bit more 'seamless.' He'll continue to add past records of interest as they come to his attention, and he will add future records as each future county seasonal report is compiled. Input from the birding public is eagerly sought. If you have corrections or other information that would be valuable to include in any of the species accounts, please submit it, preferably labelled "BOSBC", to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sbcobirding . But recent records from the current 'season' should be sent to county compiler Dave Compton (davcompton AT verizon.net). We will consider these data for all future updates. This electronic publication can be modified easily, and the plans are to do so on a regular basis. The book is presented as a series of both pdf and Word files. At the end, there is also one large pdf of the entire manuscript. The pdf versions include line numbering, which should be used for ease in making comments. Depending on your computer, the Word files may or may not show the same line numbering. Feel free to comment privately to Paul as well, but we encourage suggested changes to be posted publicly on the sbcobirding site, so that we can all share in this potential new information. - Wim van Dam (Solvang, CA) on behalf of PL. --PAUL LEHMAN (lehman.paul AT verizon.net) 30 April 2012 ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Ocean Park Ibises and Phalarope From: "Paul Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:00:50 -0700 Apr 30th, noon, Ocean Park at the Santa Ynez River Estuary, there was a flyover of 5 White-faced Ibises. A single female Wilson's Phalarope was seen along the center sandbar east of the RR Trestle, and with 5 Black-necked Stilts and 2 Semipalmated Plovers. Paul Rosso Lompoc, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Goleta Beach 4/30 From: Rebecca Coulter <rfcphoebe AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:49:51 -0700 During this morning's birding class at Goleta Beach, we counted at least 20 Double-crested Cormorant nests, 1 Great Egret and probably 4 Great Blue Heron nests. It seems that there are quite a few more cormorant nests this year than in recent years. We also watched a pair of Belted Kingfishers come and go from a nest hole in the bank opposite the east end of the parking lot. Very little seabird migration seen, with only one Red-throated Loon resting east of the pier. But the large number of Caspian Terns (14), 4 Royals, and a flyby flock of 12 Elegants made up for it. Also notable were 3 Whimbrel, 1 Long-billed Curlew, 3 Greater Yellowlegs, a handful of Willets, and not a single Black-necked Stilt. Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Re: Refugio Rd. Chat Clarification From: Wes Fritz <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:40:42 -0700 Rebecca, No apologies needed, there are a couple of Chats singing in the Santa Ynez River and can be heard and seem from the Refugio Bridge. The resident and migrant birds are all in good numbers with Wilson's Warbler being the most numerous and Yellow Warblers showing well also. The Lazuli Buntings are still moving through and the Blue Grosbeaks are starting to defend territory. A few Vaux's Swifts were seen moving through, also small waves of Cliff and Tree Swallows. Other birds of note are 5 Wilson's Phalaropes at Ocean Park today, 3 females and 2 males. The duck numbers have fallen way off with just a few N. Shovelers, Gadwalls and Cinnamon Teal, with the latter two being possible nesters. In the pool next to the parking lot had 32 Greater Yellowlegs and what looked to be a Lesser Yellowlegs. It was not seen well enough for a positive ID. 4 American Avocets were present along with 12 Black-necked Stilts, the Avocets attempted to nest last year I not sure if they were successful or not. I think the most notable birds were a Cassin's Kingbird at River Park in Lompoc and a pair of Cassin's Kingbirds about 4 miles in on Sweeny Road. Migration is on!!! Good birding. Wes Fritz 805-895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net Solvang CA. Sent from my iPhone On Apr 29, 2012, at 6:27 PM, "rebeccacoulter"Subject: Swainson's Hawk, Yellow-breasted Chat at Lauro Cyn Res/Jesusita Trail From: cedar Mathers-Winn <cloudgrease AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:05:32 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, sorry for late post. Had a light morph SWAINSON'S HAWK flying west over Lauro Canyon Reservoir today at 5:50pm; I watched it for about ten minutes before it disappeared into the sun. Waited around ten minutes to see if I could spot it again, but no luck. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT singing on an open perch in the flat shrubby area just below and to the west of the Jesusita trailhead, about ten minutes after 6. Also present were at least two male and one female PHAINOPEPLA, and six occupied Starling nests in ACWO holes in the telephone pole at the trailhead. Cedar Mathers-Winn Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Refugio Rd. Chat Clarification From: "rebeccacoulter" <rfcphoebe AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:27:24 -0000 Apologies: in my post yesterday about Yellow-breasted Chat, I omitted exactly where on Refugio Rd: I meant the section of Refugio Rd SOUTH of the ridge, in the first few miles north of Hwy 101. Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Kinevan Road From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:13:12 +0000 I had a number of expected breeders and common migrants this morning. Best was a Hermit Warbler. ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Re: Is there a Zone Tail Hawk around these days? From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:06:13 -0700 (PDT) Dear Tripleadria, Your report is the only one I know of pertaining to this species in Santa Barbara County since Halloween 2010, and that bird was in the Santa Ynez Valley. Photos or a detailed description would be appreciated for any sightings of this species, for inclusion in North American Birds. I would also note that the Zone-tail that was present for 13 years in the Goleta area was never observed later than 4 April, although it was usually not seen after March, so this date seems very late (based on our sample of the habits of a single wintering bird!). We have only two other well-documented records of the species, including the one in the Santa Ynez Valley and a very odd record of a well-described bird in the Sierra Madre Mtns on 30 June 2006. Dave Compton Santa Barbara ________________________________ From: tripleadriaSubject: Refugio Yellow-breasted Chat From: Rebecca Coulter <rfcphoebe AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:24:27 -0700 This morning along Refugio Road, I had a singing Yellow-breasted Chat about 1/4 mile upstream from the first creek crossing that flows over the road. The bird never showed itself, but sang heartily in the dense riparian along the creek west of the road. Other abundant singers included Black-headed Grosbeak, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and a bit further up the road, Canyon Wren (at a probable nest in a rock crevice). Also had two Allen's Hummingbirds, Robin, and House Wren on nests, plus juvenile Oak Titmice and Bushtits in several places, and two fledgling Hutton's Vireos trailing an adult. Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Lesser Yellowlegs From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:42:12 +0000 Yet another Lesser Yellowlegs was at Devereux this evening. ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Is there a Zone Tail Hawk around these days? From: "tripleadria" <Jrsaaahome AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:44:31 -0000 Turnpike and Cervato Way area. Yesterday right before sundown and about 2 days previous we saw a large sooty colored bird that looked like a turkey vulture in manner of flight but without the white underwings. A crow was ushering it. Tripleadria ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Snowy Egrets at Los Banos From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:06:56 -0700 In the trees at the SB Harbor where the Snowy Egrets nested last year were 4 birds present this afternoon, April 28th. Also there were several BC Night-heron chicks, including three dead under the trees. Hugh R SB Sent from my iPad ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Farren Road From: Nancy States <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:44:07 -0700 Nina Bliss and I went to Farren Road today. We saw a Grasshopper Sparrow singing, Lazuli Bunting singing, Ash -throated Fly catcher, a pair of Phainopeplas in the Pepper trees, a late White- crowned Sparrow, Lark Sparrows, Bluebirds, a Hooded Oriole, and a White-tailed Kite chasing a Red- tailed Hawk. Violet-green and Cliff Swallows over the reservoir. Plus lots of the local birds. It was so beautiful up there. Nancy States ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: San Marcos Foothills - Lazuli From: "justinwatts0" <justinwatts0 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:52:52 -0000 Nice day at the foothills preserve today. Best birds - 7+ Lazuli Buntings (even had 4 in one tree) 1 Raven being harassed by some crows Coopers,Red shouldered, Red-Tailed hawks + 1 White Tailed kite wilsons and yellow warblers in the oaks -Justin Watts Goleta ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Devereux WF Ibis From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:06:27 +0000 One at 10 AM today ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: LOS White-throated Sparrow on Lompoc southside From: "Paul Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:24:48 -0700 The White-throated Sparrow finally left on Lompoc southside on Apr 23rd. Paul Rosso Lompoc, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: American Crow with long down-turned bill From: "erinfeinblatt" <erinfeinblatt AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:02:37 -0000 At the street corners of Union and Quarantina in Santa Barbara, perched in a Sycamore tree across from the Marborg transfer station was an American Crow with a long down-turned bill. The bird appears to be a fledge and is not looking healthy. Tail feathers are shorter than the other Crows in the roost and the primary feathers look worn. I've seen a lot of Corvids in my life and this is an anomaly. I don't know how else to describe it but the bill was about 2 inches longer and had a pronounced down-turn (think small Ibis bill). I watched the bird for a few minutes and decided that the bill was probably the reason for the state of its poor condition. I have a photo from my phone and would be happy to share but I was unable to get a good shot due to the height in the tree. ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Campus Point, 2012-04-27 From: Wim van Dam <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:45:38 -0700 Half an hour at UCSB's Campus Point, this Friday afternoon got me: On the rocks: 2 Brant, 1 Wandering Tattler, 5 Black Turnstone, ~45 Sanderling Passing by: ~300 loons, almost all Pacific, a few Red-throated and Common, ~25 Surf Scoter, ~100 Brant, 1 Humpback Whale - Wim van Dam (Solvang, CA) ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Figueroa Mountain From: Wes Fritz <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:33:14 -0700 SB Birders, I birded Figueroa Mountain today, despite the high winds the migration was pretty good. I birded the south facing slopes and they gave reasonable wind protection. Hermit Warblers were in good numbers along with Western Tanagers. Most all of the western migrants were seen and in fair numbers. A Peregrine Falcon seemed a little out of place, but it just milled around and worked it's way north. The Turkey Vultures making a strong showing today also as they worked their way north against the wind. Lastly, Vaux's Swifts became a steady flow around 4:00pm in the foothills along Midland School, I stopped counting at 200. The two Golden Eagles were hanging out in their usual place along Figueroa Mountain Road. Considering the wind issue it was a great day in the field. Good birding Wes Fritz 805-895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net Solvang CA. Sent from my iPhone ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Lesser Nighthawk From: Jamie Chavez <almiyi AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:50:12 -0700 While enjoying the antics of the girls' Powder Puff football game at the Righetti HS field in Santa Maria this evening, a single nighthawk (likely a Lesser) passed over the field in typical nighthawk fashion. It was too poorly lit at near dusk to make out any field marks, but the long pointed wings, deep wing beats and erratic flight style all point to the nighthawk sp. -- *Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA* [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: LLC Palm Warbler From: "rebeccacoulter" <rfcphoebe AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:35:04 -0000 Hello birders, During this morning's birding class, we had a Palm Warbler at the edge of the euc grove northeast of the lake. It was a little cagey and not all of us had looks at it, but it stayed near the ground most of the time, tail bobbing constantly. I would say it was likely a Western subspecies, mostly whitish below (not yellow), medium-brownish gray upper parts, very bright yellow on the undertail, and dull rusty crown. Other migrants included Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Bullock's and Hooded orioles, Yellow Warblers galore, a couple of Wilson's Warblers, and lots of swallows: Northern Rough-winged (some conveniently perched on a snag north of the lake), Tree, Barn, and Cliff. Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Black Vulture From: "mattcaligiure" <mattcaligiure AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:19:17 -0000 Black vulture right now (3:15 pm) soaring above Mariposa Reina exit off of highway 101. Easily seen from the highway, short stubby tail, whitish wing patches at the ends and quick pulsing wing beats. A no doubter. ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] Wondering about pelagic trip? From: Wes Fritz <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:29:16 -0700 Kay and all, We are in the middle of whale migration, we have tried to reschedule the April 28th trip but the boat has already been chartered out. While I am mentioning the whale migration, it has been pretty good for whale watchers, there have been several Cows and Calfs migrating north right now with multiple sightings everyday. So, if you want to go whale watching, now is the time to go. Good birding and whaling. Wes Fritz 805-895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net Solvang CA. Sent from my iPhone On Apr 26, 2012, at 7:55 PM, "Kay Regester"Subject: Fwd: [CALBIRDS] April 28 Santa Barbara Pelagic - Weathered Out. From: Wes Fritz <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:16:31 -0700 SB Birders, I am forwarding this note regarding Saturdays pelagic trip. I also would like you to know that this Saturdays trip was sold our nearly 3 weeks ago, so if you are interested in the July trip. Please do not wait until the last couple of days to sign up. Spring migration is in full swing, it's time to find some good birds. Please report your sightings to our local list serve and Ebird as well. Good birding. Wes Fritz 805-895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net Solvang CA. Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: > From: "Todd"Subject: Yellow-headed Blackbird at Los Carneros and Mesa NW From: Maggiesherriffs <maggiesherriffs AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:13:19 -0700 Made a quick stop at Los Carneros & Mesa NW this evening. There was a single, male yellow-headed blackbird in the big clump of tules(?). Also birded Parma Park off Stanwood this afternoon. Lots of Yellow Warblers, an ash-throated flycatcher, and hairy woodpecker were best birds. If you go there watch out for the hundreds of ticks clinging to the grasses overhanging the trail. Maggie Sherriffs Goleta Sent from my iPhone ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Wondering about pelagic trip? From: "Kay Regester" <kaybirder AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:57:55 -0000 Gale warnings for the channel this weekend. I'm hoping the pelagic trip will be rescheduled. Anybody know? Kay Regester, Ventura ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Lawrence's Goldfinch at Miguelito Park From: "Paul Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:45:24 -0700 Apr 26th, noon, a singing male Lawrence's Goldfinch was on top of a willow tree in Miguelito Park south of Lompoc. This is the 5th location, I've seen them this year. They seem to be everywhere. The park has its flock of nesting birds including Black-headed Grosbeaks, Warbling Vireos, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Purple fiches, American Robins, Band-tailed Pigeons, W. Scrub Jays, D.E. Juncos - Oregon Race, Acorn and Nuttall's Woodpeckers plus the more common birds Black Phoebes, Oak Titmice, Spotted Towhees, Ca Quail plus. Paul Rosso Lompoc, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: UCSB Campus Notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:02:33 -0700 I picked up a little landbird stuff on campus today. There was a nice male Wilson's Warbler in the old gym wetlands, along with a female Nashville Warbler and what I think was a Warbling Vireo (hard to see). There were also Orange-crowned Warblers and more stuff flitting around in there that I didn't have time to wait for. There was a nice flock of Dowitchers in the UCSB Lagoon. Most were changing into alternate plumage and looked like Long-billed. A few Pacific Loon passed over the ocean by the Manzanita Housing bluffs. Florence Sanchez ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Western Tanagers From: Nancy States <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:11:11 -0700 The Sycamores on Merida Rd. and by the bridge have quite a lot of Western Tanagers today. Also Black-throated Grey Warblers and more Orang-crown than I care to count. Both Hooded and Bullock's Orioles are calling and feeding. Downy Woodpeckers too and finally a Warbling Vireo singing. Quit a birdy spot today. Nancy States ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Re: UCSB campus notes From: "Wim_van_Dam" <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:51:31 -0000 Re: Campus Point, Tuesday April 24, 2012 Later in the afternoon the WANDERING TATTLER was still there, along with a RUDDY TURNSTONE, and a PELAGIC CORMORANT among the Brandt's Cormorants on the rocks, which made for a nice comparison. Some of the migrating loons came by close enough for me to confirm that, yes, COMMON LOONs do fly with their mouth open. - Wim van Dam (Solvang, CA) --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, Florence SanchezSubject: Friday Bird Walk: Tucker's Grove From: "Adam" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:27:23 -0000 When: Friday, April 27, 2012 (8:30 - 10:30) Where: Tucker's Grove and Kiwanis Meadows Target Birds: Cooper's Hawk, Towhees, American Robin, Lesser Goldfinch, etc Sponsor: Santa Barbara Audubon Society Leader: Jack Sanford Directions: Take Hwy 101 and exit the Turnpike Road off ramp. Turn towards the mountains on Turnpike Road. Cross Cathedral Oaks Rd and enter San Antonio County Park (Tucker's Grove). We will park and meet near the playground/restroom area. Adam Lewis www.SantaBarbaraAudubon.org ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: UCSB campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:42:06 -0700 Today I walked the beaches. The tide was pretty high but there were a few shorebirds, and it was a lovely day for a walk. The sea was calm and visibility was outstanding. The best bird was a breeding-plumage WANDERING TATTLER bobbing on the rocks at campus point. There also were a few Whimbrels, five Greater Yellowlegs, and a mixed flock of about a dozen each Semi-palmated Plovers and Western Sandpipers. There was very little seabird action, but passing very close were a few flocks of Pacific Loons, and a mixed group of Brants and two Red-breasted Mergansers. Way, WAY out I spotted a couple of large flocks containing more than one species, but it was impossible to say if they were brants & loon, cormorants and loons, or whatever. I didn't have time to post last Thursday, but I checked out both the wetlands at Mesa and Los Carneros Road and Area K. There were lots of Northern Shovelers still present in Area K, along with a few American Wigeons, Gadwalls, Mallards, and one pair of Green-winged Teal. The best birds there were two White-faced Ibis. At Mesa & Los Carneros, I missed the Yellow-headed Blackbirds, but Red-winged were displaying beautifully. I found a pair each of Northern Shoveler and Cinnamon Teal, and a Canada Goose was sitting on a nest there. Florence Sanchez ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: Catway Road, 2012-04-22 From: Wim van Dam <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:08:42 -0700 Figueroa Mountain was spectacular last Sunday. While trying to take a break from birding, I walked up and down Catway Road for two-ish hours in the late morning. Without much effort I got the following non- garden-variety-birds: several Mountain Quail, Olive-sided Flycatchers everywhere, Western Wood-Pewee, an abundance of Steller's Jays and California Thrashers, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Western Tanager, Wilson's Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Rufous- crowned Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, and Lawrence's Goldfinch. A proper, early morning birding hike should deliver many more goodies. The California poppies were pretty pretty as well. - Wim van Dam (Solvang, CA) ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .Subject: our 2012 Green Big Day From: "Wim_van_Dam" <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:03:47 -0000 This is Wim van Dam and Jared Dawson's long-ish report on their 2012 Green Big Day. On Thursday April 19 we did our 2012 Green Big Day in the Goleta area (Santa Barbara County, US-CA). Our main goal was to humiliate our former selves by breaking our 2011 record of 112 species and we are happy to report that we succeeded. We followed the standard Big Day rules of the American Birding Association (http://www.aba.org/bigday/bigdayrules.pdf) and made it into a Green one by obeying the additional stipulation that we refrained from using any motorized means of transportation to get around and that we started and finished at the same location. See here for more on Green Big Day attempts: http://greenbigday.org/ Our Plan and Its Execution: We wanted to minimize the time wasted hiking and biking around so we focussed on a few known good places, rather than racing around all the time to get that one tick that you can get if you spent enough time. The route and plan of attack that we planned was similar to the one our 2011 attempt: hummingbirds, warblers, etc at Berkeley Bridge; carefully biking via San Pedro Creek and Stow's Grove to LLC; squeezing Lake Los Carneros for all that we could find; barreling to "Maggie's Marsh" (NW corner at Los Carneros x More Mesa Rd) for ducks and other swampy things; lunch break at Girsh Park for Say's Phoebe and blackbirds; via OMGC to Devereux for more ducks and waders; sea and beach watch at Coal Oil Point; speeding through IV to UCSB's Campus Lagoon and Campus Point; on to our last big stop at Goleta beach. Last year taught us that staying energized and concentrated becomes more and more problematic as the day progresses so we decided against adding to our itinerary pre-dawn owling, Farren Rd, Area K, UCSB campus or More Mesa. We managed to stick to our plan until we noticed at lunch time that Coal Oil Point was having fog problems. To wait out the fog we killed some time at the fields around the Ocean Meadows Golf Course. When the sky cleared we managed a half-decent sea watch, very much unlike last year. After Goleta beach we went over to Rancho Goleta to bag the Ross's Goose, after which we returned to our starting point at Berkeley bridge. We began at 5:35 AM and finished at 7:45 PM, which makes for more than 14 hours of birding, biking and hiking in some very cooperative weather. Our Birds: We did our Big Day one week earlier than we did in 2011, which got us significantly more ducks and a few more sparrows, although we still missed Golden-crowned and Lark Sparrow. The forced detour to OMGC and its surroundings showed that we should be more careful about getting birds-of-the-field as it gave us three additional birds that we would have missed otherwise (American Pipit, Western Meadowlark, and Savannah Sparrow). We did slightly less well on the waders this year, but this was easily compensated by a proper sea watch. Bird-of-the-day was the last one: a 7 PM Calliope Hummingbird at Berkeley bridge; other good birds were Lesser Yellowlegs and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Biggest misses were Red-shouldered Hawk and Northern Flicker. Near misses were White-breasted Nuthatch, White-crowned Sparrow, and Brown-headed Cowbird. A few birds had to be left unidentified. All in all, we ended up breaking our old record by 11 birds to a total of 123 species and 4 additional ones seen or heard by one only of us (Red-breasted Merganser, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Flicker, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher). We will have to wait and see how this compared to the other Green Big Day attempts that are going on this spring. Next year we really plan on getting ourselves some owls. The 123 birds observed by both of us on our Green Big Day 2012 were the following: Ross's Goose Brant Canada Goose Gadwall American Wigeon Mallard Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Surf Scoter Ruddy Duck California Quail Red-throated Loon Pacific Loon Pied-billed Grebe Eared Grebe Western Grebe Clark's Grebe Brandt's Cormorant Double-crested Cormorant Brown Pelican Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Green Heron Turkey Vulture White-tailed Kite Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Sora American Coot Black-bellied Plover Snowy Plover Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Black-necked Stilt Spotted Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Willet Lesser Yellowlegs Whimbrel Long-billed Curlew Marbled Godwit Black Turnstone Surfbird Sanderling Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Western Gull California Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Caspian Tern Forster's Tern Royal Tern Rock Pigeon Band-tailed Pigeon Eurasian Collared-Dove Mourning Dove Black-chinned Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Allen's Hummingbird Calliope Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Acorn Woodpecker Nuttall's Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Pacific-slope Flycatcher Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe Ash-throated Flycatcher Cassin's Kingbird Western Kingbird Hutton's Vireo Warbling Vireo Western Scrub-Jay American Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Cliff Swallow Oak Titmouse Bushtit White-breasted Nuthatch Bewick's Wren House Wren Marsh Wren Wrentit Western Bluebird American Robin Northern Mockingbird California Thrasher European Starling American Pipit Cedar Waxwing Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Common Yellowthroat Yellow Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Spotted Towhee California Towhee Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Western Tanager Black-headed Grosbeak Red-winged Blackbird Western Meadowlark Brewer's Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Hooded Oriole Bullock's Oriole Purple Finch House Finch Lesser Goldfinch American Goldfinch House Sparrow ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com . |