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6 Nov today at LLC [nancy states ] 06 Nov Friday birding ["rebeccacoulter" ] 05 Nov Santa Cruz Island and LLC [Hugh Ranson ] 06 Nov Cackling Goose continues at Rancho Goleta Lake, Thu., 11/05 ["Liz M" ] 05 Nov Black Scoter continues ["kylebraunger" ] 5 Nov RE: Devereux ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 5 Nov RE: Devereux ["Kelly, Melissa" ] 5 Nov Devereux ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 05 Nov Rancho Goleta Cackling Goose not seen on 11/04 - photos from 11/03 now posted ["Liz M" ] 05 Nov Re: Respecting Others ["toddamcgrath" ] 05 Nov Goleta Raptors ["condorhiker" ] 04 Nov Fw: [CALBIRDS] Condor Express Deepwater pelagic - rescheduled for Nov 14th ["Wes Fritz" ] 04 Nov Joan's Class at the Carpinteria Salt Marsh ["Adam" ] 04 Nov Re: Respecting Others ["Doug" ] 4 Nov Lewis the bee eater [Roger Millikan ] 3 Nov Canada Larga [nancy states ] 03 Nov Re: Respecting Others ["jcdendroica" ] 03 Nov Cackling Goose in Rancho Goleta Lake, Ward Dr. ["Liz M" ] 03 Nov Respecting Others ["bocriss AT ymail.com" ] 2 Nov Lewis' woodpecker at Los Carneros [Roger Millikan ] 02 Nov Re: Sand Hill Crane Video at Devereux Slough ["bocriss AT ymail.com" ] 02 Nov map of SBCO at sea? ["WK" ] 02 Nov flickr and spyware ["Paul G. Rosso" ] 02 Nov B-lated (and B-rated) Sat Sightings ["matt v" ] 1 Nov Goleta Birds [Lynn Watson ] 02 Nov Inland winter arrivals ["Noah" ] 01 Nov Ferruginous Hawks on Lompoc Southside ["Paul G. Rosso" ] 1 Nov Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday October 26 - Sunday November 1, 2009 ["Kelly, Melissa" ] 01 Nov No Sandhill Crane 11.1.09 ["Noah" ] 01 Nov CBRC Report on 2007 Records ["Jamie Chavez" ] 01 Nov LLC this evening ["goletajeff" ] 31 Oct Sand Hill Crane Video at Devereux Slough ["bocriss AT ymail.com" ] 31 Oct Bullocks Oriole [nancy states ] 31 Oct Sandhill Crane photos from Devereux Slough - October 31, 2009 ["Callie" ] 31 Oct Crane pics [Hugh Ranson ] 31 Oct Sandhill Crane at Devereux Slough ["cjbowdish" ] 31 Oct Lewis' Woodpecker in Los Carneros Park, Goleta Oct 28,2009 ["eppygriffin" ] 31 Oct Black Scoter in Goleta Bay ["jared.dawson40" ] 31 Oct sandhill crane info ["Noah" ] 31 Oct sandhill crane at devereux ["Noah" ] 31 Oct Grace's Warbler [nancy states ] 31 Oct LLC Red-naped Sapsucker ["Noah" ] 30 Oct Clay-colored Sparrow ["Guy Tingos" ] 30 Oct Re: Preisker Park Birds ["Jamie Chavez" ] 30 Oct Preisker Park Birds ["Jamie Chavez" ] 30 Oct Redstart ["matt v" ] 29 Oct Carpinteria merlin [Eric Culbs ] 29 Oct Goleta Merlins ["Noah" ] 28 Oct UCSB Campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 28 Oct Yellow-shafted Flicker ["Michael" ] 28 Oct Deveraux ["DavidL" ] 28 Oct Wednesday Night Program: The Owl and The Woodpecker ["Adam" ] 27 Oct Black-throated gray warbler [Roger Millikan ] 27 Oct Magnolia and Hermit Warblers at San Jose Ck ["jared.dawson40" ] 27 Oct Lost field guide? ["rebeccacoulter" ] 27 Oct UCSB Campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 27 Oct Devereux ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 26 Oct Re: Tropical Kingbird at Preisker Park Santa Maria 10/26/09 [Dave Compton ] 27 Oct Nor-Co Tropicals ["markbrown1848" ] 27 Oct Tropical Kingbird at Preisker Park Santa Maria 10/26/09 ["markbrown1848" ] 26 Oct Devereux ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 26 Oct Magnolia Warbler, White-winged Dove, Phainopepla at Berkeley Bike Bridge this a.m. 10/26 ["Joan Lentz" ] 26 Oct Waller Park Sunday Morning ["jcdendroica" ] 26 Oct A few weekend birds ["Dianna" ] 26 Oct Osprey hunting ["nlameijer" ] 25 Oct Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday October 19 - Sunday October 25, 2009 ["Kelly, Melissa" ] 25 Oct Red-throated Pipit at SMRE & a red Vermilion Flycatcher at Guadalupe Sewage ["markbrown1848" ] 25 Oct Sunday birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 25 Oct Devereux and Coal Oil Point Oct 22-24 ["Yuji" ] 25 Oct Devereux morning ["robdenholtz" ] 24 Oct Grace's Warbler, etc. [Dave Compton ] 24 Oct Costco has Sibley! ["DavidL" ] 24 Oct Goleta, Devereux, and Nojoqui Falls ["dickcannings2" ] 24 Oct Grace's Warbler ["DavidL" ] 24 Oct Deveraux 3 ["DavidL" ] 23 Oct Devereux part 2 [Hugh Ranson ] Subject: today at LLC From: nancy states <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:22:24 -0800 Nina Bliss and I spent some time this morning around Stow House and the lake. We saw the Lewis' Woodpecker and the Tropical Kingbird IIn the usual spot in the dead Cypress tree. There were a lot of Red-breasted Sapsuckers in quite a few areas along the road that borders the lake and the lawn. At the overlook along the road we spotted the American Bittern "posing " in the reeds. The bird stayed a long time. We got great looks at it. Nancy States Santa Babara Subject: Friday birding From: "rebeccacoulter" <rfcphoebe AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:05:36 -0000 This morning, Joan Lentz and I toured the bottle brush trees along the park at the Berkeley Bike Bridge; they are full of birds, but we found only the usual suspects: Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped, Townsend's, and Orange-crowned warblers, both goldfinches, and House and Purple finches. But there's bound to be something more tantalizing turning up there, like the Magnolia Warbler seen last week. We also had White-throated Sparrow along the creek. Once again, the Coronado "seep" has little water, and was relatively quiet. We did find Wilson's Warbler in the still-lerpy eucs to the west. The car-washing area to the east had a bit of activity, with Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Yellow-rumps, Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, and House Finch coming down to the puddles. We heard but did not see Brown Creeper still in that area. Further south and east along the trail, about 75 yards before you come to the second manhole structure, there is another nice puddle of water in the creek bed on the north side of the trail, surrounded by lerpy eucs and good cover for bathing birds. It was very birdy there, with Lincoln's and Song sparrows, Spotted Towhee, Wrentit, Townsend's and Orange-crowned warblers, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet all coming down to bathe. We also had Hutton's Vireo, Acorn, Downy and Nuttall's woodpeckers nearby, plus the usual dozen or so Yellow-rumps and a selasphorus hummingbird flyby. As long as the water holds out there, this place will be worth a visit. When we returned to our cars at the end of Coronado, we capped a very nice morning with a Golden-crowned Kinglet in the large pine tree in the front yard of the last house on the street. Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara Subject: Santa Cruz Island and LLC From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:27:29 -0800 Yesterday I went to Chinese Harbor on Santa Cruz Island via Island Packers with a group of 70 5th graders. We had some almost Fritzian ocean adventures, but that's another story. On the island, I saw a Rock Wren, an adult Bald Eagle, and a Peregrine. On the crossing there were c. 200 Black-vented Shearwaters, 1 Pink-foot, 4 N. Fulmars, 3 Pom and 1 Parasitic Jaeger, 1 Common Murre, 1 Cassin's Auklet. and 3 small alcid sp. Today at Lake Los Carneros, the Lewis's Woodpecker continued in the dead trees to the west of the paved path. I was fortunate enough to see an American Bittern in the tules about 50m south of the bridge. There was a Moorhen present on Tuesday. Hugh R. SB Subject: Cackling Goose continues at Rancho Goleta Lake, Thu., 11/05 From: "Liz M" <lizmuraoka AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:27:05 -0000 The Cackling Goose was seen today, Thursday, 11/05, at 3 p.m. I spoke with our manager at Rancho Goleta and he said he has seen the Cackling Goose every day for the past few days, throughout the day. It spends quite a bit of time on the grassy areas on both side of the wooden bridge. Apparently it spends most of the time on the pool/clubhouse side of the bridge. Hopefully it will stick around for a while. Liz Muraoka Santa Barbara --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Liz M" wrote: > > Hello all, > > I took a quick spin around the Rancho Goleta lake around 10:30, Wednesday morning, and did not see the Cackling Goose that was present the prior morning. Wim also made a trip out and did not locate it. > > I have added last Tuesdays photos to my November Birding album, including two from my sister, Dianna Ricky. The Cackling Goose was on the bank close to the street when she photographed it and she got an excellent image. > > http://picasaweb.google.com/lizmuraoka/November2009Birding# > > On Wednesday, other birds seen included 3 Mute Swans, Pied-billed Grebes, Double-crested Cormorants; as well as Mallard, Redhead, Ruddy, and Ring-necked Ducks. Our two resident Ross's Geese also were present. > > Birders are welcome to walk or bicycle in to view the lake, which is inside the Rancho Goleta community at the end of Ward Drive. Please park vehicles on Ward Drive. > > Liz Muraoka > Santa Barbara > > --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Liz M" wrote: > > > > This morning,Tuesday, at 8:45, a small goose was seen by itself on the grassy area near the bridge. It wasn't much larger than the coots so I snapped some photos. I'm fairly certain it is a Cackling Goose due to the small size, short neck, stubby bill, and wing primaries extending past the tail. > > > > It flew into the water and disappeared into the fog, but hopefully it will stay for others to see it. There also were 2 Mute Swans, multitudes of Mallards, Pied-billed Grebes, and Ruddy Ducks. Yesterday there were Redheads and Ring-necked ducks at the far side of the lake but that area was obscured by fog this morning. > > > > My sister, Dianna, just called at 9:30 am, to confim she also saw the goose and is fairly certain it is a Cackling since it was standing on the bank next to a Mallard which was the same size. I am away from my desk so I will post photos later. > > > > Birders are welcome to enter the Rancho Goleta community on foot. Please park vehicles on Ward Drive. > > > > Liz Muraoka > > Santa Barbara > > > Subject: Black Scoter continues From: "kylebraunger" <kylebraunger AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:01:05 -0000 The adult male Black Scoter found by Jared Dawson last week in Goleta Bay is still around. This morning it was associating with a small flock of Surf Scoters off of the UCSB Marine Sciences lot. Kyle Braunger Subject: RE: Devereux From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:52:12 -0600 That's not that many either. Maybe it's just too early. There are usually 12-15 at Devereux and often 30-50 at Goleta Beach. What are you numbers of scaup like on the Lake so far? Last year there seemed to be hardly any. ________________________________ From: Kelly, Melissa [mailto:mkelly AT co.santa-barbara.ca.us] Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 10:50 AM To: Lethaby, Nick; sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: Devereux Nick, That's because they're all at the Cachuma Water Treatment Plant; I counted 14 there on Monday. Melissa Assistant Naturalist Cachuma Lake County Park Santa Barbara County, CA 805.688-4515 ________________________________ All: Still only a single Bufflehead on the slough. Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com> +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Devereux From: "Kelly, Melissa" <mkelly AT co.santa-barbara.ca.us> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:49:43 -0800 Nick, That's because they're all at the Cachuma Water Treatment Plant; I counted 14 there on Monday. Melissa Assistant Naturalist Cachuma Lake County Park Santa Barbara County, CA 805.688-4515 ________________________________ All: Still only a single Bufflehead on the slough. Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com> +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Devereux From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:56:33 -0600 All: Aythya ducks today consisted of 48 Redheads, 3 Ring-necked Ducks, and single female Lesser and Greater Scaup. Still only a single Bufflehead on the slough. A TK was in the usual area across from S. parking slot way at the back. Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rancho Goleta Cackling Goose not seen on 11/04 - photos from 11/03 now posted From: "Liz M" <lizmuraoka AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:45:52 -0000 Hello all, I took a quick spin around the Rancho Goleta lake around 10:30, Wednesday morning, and did not see the Cackling Goose that was present the prior morning. Wim also made a trip out and did not locate it. I have added last Tuesdays photos to my November Birding album, including two from my sister, Dianna Ricky. The Cackling Goose was on the bank close to the street when she photographed it and she got an excellent image. http://picasaweb.google.com/lizmuraoka/November2009Birding# On Wednesday, other birds seen included 3 Mute Swans, Pied-billed Grebes, Double-crested Cormorants; as well as Mallard, Redhead, Ruddy, and Ring-necked Ducks. Our two resident Ross's Geese also were present. Birders are welcome to walk or bicycle in to view the lake, which is inside the Rancho Goleta community at the end of Ward Drive. Please park vehicles on Ward Drive. Liz Muraoka Santa Barbara --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Liz M" wrote: > > This morning,Tuesday, at 8:45, a small goose was seen by itself on the grassy area near the bridge. It wasn't much larger than the coots so I snapped some photos. I'm fairly certain it is a Cackling Goose due to the small size, short neck, stubby bill, and wing primaries extending past the tail. > > It flew into the water and disappeared into the fog, but hopefully it will stay for others to see it. There also were 2 Mute Swans, multitudes of Mallards, Pied-billed Grebes, and Ruddy Ducks. Yesterday there were Redheads and Ring-necked ducks at the far side of the lake but that area was obscured by fog this morning. > > My sister, Dianna, just called at 9:30 am, to confim she also saw the goose and is fairly certain it is a Cackling since it was standing on the bank next to a Mallard which was the same size. I am away from my desk so I will post photos later. > > Birders are welcome to enter the Rancho Goleta community on foot. Please park vehicles on Ward Drive. > > Liz Muraoka > Santa Barbara > Subject: Re: Respecting Others From: "toddamcgrath" <SKUA AT MSN.com> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:39:55 -0000 Birders, I was not present during this incident, but was there earlier in the day, on the other side of the lagoon. It is my understanding that there were some photographers who approached the bird close enough to make the bird a bit skittish, and I believe there was a post earlier in the day that asked for some restraint in approaching the bird. One of the down sides of the digital camera era is that there are lots of people who want to get pictures, and lots of people who want to get pictures of vagrants, regardless of whether or not those species can be photographed elsewhere without the risk of flushing or stressing a bird that many folks would like to see. The Sandhill Crane in question turned out to be a one day bird, and many folks who were not around on Saturday did not get to see the bird. Did the approach of photographers convince this bird to move on quickly, or did it simply continue on its way? There is no way to know. I think that photographers do have a responsibilty to excercise a higher standard of care when photographing a vagrant, especially one that might be susceptible to disturbance. That standard goes even higher when it is in an area that is heavily birded, and there will be many who may travel some distance to see the bird. There are lots of places in CA to photograph Sandhill Cranes where the risk of disturbance is low, and any disturbance is less likely to create a bad feeling amongst our fellow birders. Of course birders can learn a bit about giving photographers some leeway as well. Doug made some interesting comments about birders approaching him while we was photographing birds, and I have had the same thing happen to me. It is considerate not to approach a photographer too closely, especially if it is clear they are trying to work. Most of us will give a heads up if we are trying to photograph something noteworthy. Often we are just waiting to get a picture of a bird you can see quite well from a distance, or find another a ways down the trail. The rise of digital photography will continue to create these opportunities for conflict, and a bit of restraint on both the part of birders and photographers is warranted. I left my canon 500mm at home on the Sandhill Crane chase to SB, as documentary photos had already been taken, and I knew many would be making the trek to see this bird should it stay around. I have been a birder since about 10, and a photographer off and on since my mid-twenties. More "on" since the rise of digital technology. Just my two cents.... Todd McGrath Calabasas CA --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "bocriss AT ..." wrote: > > I had a very unpleasant birding experience on Saturday afternoon at Devereux Slough, and thought it might be something the community of birders would like to chime in on. > > I went to Devereux a second time, in the afternoon to get photos of the Sandhill Crane. I went to the west side of the lake, walking along the path and met two birders along the way who had set up a scope. A bit of chit chat was exchanged since I didn't know these birders and I thought everything was going fine. > > One of the birders asked the other if they wanted a photo. I jumped in and suggested we go further down the path to a vantage point where we could see the bird better. This is when one of the birders got very animated, raising their voice and ranting about the conduct of photographers. I felt that it was unprovoked and odd and I picked up my gear and moved on, suggesting this birder "must have had a long drive". > > I set up my camera up for another shot 20 yards down the path, where I had suggested we go previously. > > This is when it got really bizarre. This same birder approached saying they knew who I was and where I lived. He repeated this 4 times as I continued to take photos, all the while not speaking. This really freaked me out. I decided to call the police and met an officer a half hour later to file a report. > > Regardless of what birders think the photographers are doing, this threatening approach is seriously uncalled for. > > If you have visited my Flickr pages, you will see that I post photos of birds generally facing towards me. I use an expensive high powered super telephoto to achieve these results which include calm, undisturbed birds. My goal is to capture a beautiful image in a natural surrounding, not to disturb the birds. > > I hope birders will respect the rights of photographers and vice versa. > > Bo Criss > Subject: Goleta Raptors From: "condorhiker" <sjferry AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:23:11 -0000 On Wednesday I saw several raptors in Goleta. Around 9:45AM at Coal Oil Point Reserve in the dead snag on the west side of the channel near the "bridge to nowhere" was a Peregrine Falcon. Also at COPR, around 1:15 PM on the west side of the slough, about 100 m. south of Veneco Road a female Northern Harrier was cruising. As I watched she suddenly dropped to the ground and stood in the grass for several minutes. At the Santa Barbara Airport on one of the power poles east of Los Carneros Road was perched a Red-tailed Hawk very similar to the "dark adult" shown in Sibley. This bird took off and soared with another Red-tail that had our usual southwestern plumage. At LLC another Red-tail was soaring and being harassed by an American Kestrel. Finally, also at LLC on the east side of the park there were two adult White-tailed Kites perched in different trees. One was feeding on a rodent. Steve Ferry Santa Barbara Subject: Fw: [CALBIRDS] Condor Express Deepwater pelagic - rescheduled for Nov 14th From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:39:57 -0800 ----- Original Message ----- From: toddamcgrath To: CALBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:47 PM Subject: [CALBIRDS] Condor Express Deepwater pelagic - rescheduled for Nov 14th Birders, The sold out Condor Express deepwater pelagic scheduled for November 7th has been rescheduled due to extremely bad weather exepcted offshore on Sat. The trip was sold-out, but due to the change in date, there are a limted number of spots available. We will meet at the dock in Santa Barbara at 6:30AM for a prompt 7:00 Am departure. Our goal will be the 2000 fathom water along the continental shelf, where species like Stejneger's Petrel and Mottled Petrel have been recorded. 2009 has been a great pelagic season off of So Cal, as well as further north in CA. This is the final trip of the 2009 season, and I am looking forward to getting out at this time of year. The cost of the trip is $195, a bargain considering we will be covering over 200 miles of water round trip. No other birding boat in CA can get you out to the shelf edge and back in a 12-13 hour trip. In addtion, the Condor is a great boat from which to observe birds. The roomy cabin and great food for purchase make for a change from the usual pelagic fare. The boat holds well over 100, but we are limiting this trip to around 60 participants to ensure adequate room and ideal viewing conditions. Call the Sea Landing at 888-77WHALE or 805-882-0088 to reserve your spot. Let's hope for good weather and better birds on the 14th! Todd McGrath SKUA AT MSN.com Calabasas CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Joan's Class at the Carpinteria Salt Marsh From: "Adam" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:51:34 -0000 Just posting a few pictures from class this morning. Photo highlights for me were Blue-winged Teal pairs, Belding Savannah Sparrow bathing and drinking in a small pool, a photogenic Green Heron and a low sitting White-tailed Kite. The overcast muted the contrast and colors. I didn't make a written list but other birds I remember are Say's Phoebes, Belted Kingfisher, Cinnamon Teal, Accipiter Hawk, Townsend's Warbler, lots of White-crowned Sparrows and an intermediate morph Red-tailed Hawk. Ocean viewing yielded 3 horned grebes. A few images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbfledgling/sets/72157622610638113/ Adam Lewis Goleta Subject: Re: Respecting Others From: "Doug" <doug AT basiclink.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:48:47 -0000 People are strange and birders are stranger. As a serious photographer and birder, I have to walk a thin line between getting an image and not disturbing the other birders that might be present. BUT HERE IS MY PET PEEVE with any person. Please don't assume that if I'm standing there wheter birding or photographing that it's just okay to walk up to me and start a conversation or set yourself up to start doing whatever it is your doing. You may be disturbing me, or the bird that I wwas working on so hard to see or photograph. Stand back, and let me see you, then if I am not doing anything, I will usually engage you and it's okay to approach. I do this for others and wish others would learn the same courtesy. Just last week, I was standing on the edge of a small marsh for over an hour watching and waiting for a Virginia's Rail to make an appearance, when a birder/photographer came crashing though the bushes on the trail and walks right up to me, with the railing dissappearing back into the reeds. I got mad and told him thanks for screwing up my hour of waiting, and he said to me "I just wanted to say Hi, and see what you were looking at". Here's a great article by Tom Webster on birders and photographers http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Etiquette/etiquette.htm As for the ABA's Ethics, that's a whole other issue, that would take another long message to destroy the ABA and it's so called ethics. Douglas Aguillard San Diego, CA doug AT basiclink.com --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "bocriss AT ..." wrote: > > I had a very unpleasant birding experience on Saturday afternoon at Devereux Slough, and thought it might be something the community of birders would like to chime in on. > > I went to Devereux a second time, in the afternoon to get photos of the Sandhill Crane. I went to the west side of the lake, walking along the path and met two birders along the way who had set up a scope. A bit of chit chat was exchanged since I didn't know these birders and I thought everything was going fine. > > One of the birders asked the other if they wanted a photo. I jumped in and suggested we go further down the path to a vantage point where we could see the bird better. This is when one of the birders got very animated, raising their voice and ranting about the conduct of photographers. I felt that it was unprovoked and odd and I picked up my gear and moved on, suggesting this birder "must have had a long drive". > > I set up my camera up for another shot 20 yards down the path, where I had suggested we go previously. > > This is when it got really bizarre. This same birder approached saying they knew who I was and where I lived. He repeated this 4 times as I continued to take photos, all the while not speaking. This really freaked me out. I decided to call the police and met an officer a half hour later to file a report. > > Regardless of what birders think the photographers are doing, this threatening approach is seriously uncalled for. > > If you have visited my Flickr pages, you will see that I post photos of birds generally facing towards me. I use an expensive high powered super telephoto to achieve these results which include calm, undisturbed birds. My goal is to capture a beautiful image in a natural surrounding, not to disturb the birds. > > I hope birders will respect the rights of photographers and vice versa. > > Bo Criss > Subject: Lewis the bee eater From: Roger Millikan <rcmillikan AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 06:18:51 -0800 A note about the Lewis's woodpecker at Lake Los Carneros. I saw him fly out and catch an insect that proved to be a yellowjacket when I looked at my photos. Upon returning to his perch he proceeded to pound that bee against the dead pine tree over and over. It looked like he was trying to make bee puree. I was told by Jan that african birds called bee eaters do the same thing. The purpose is to remove the stinger before eating the remains. I had never seen our birds eat a bee before. Fun to watch. Roger Millikan Goleta Subject: Canada Larga From: nancy states <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:00:04 -0800 Three of us went birding down to Canada Larga today. Perfect weather. We found at least three Lewis' Woodpeckers at the three mile marker in the Walnut trees. Saw one Red-breasted Sapsucker and a Barn Owl in the Pepper trees. A Roadrunner ran up a hill and a Phainopepla was being chased by a Mocking Bird. Lots of ordinary birds too. It's a great place. Nancy States Santa Barbara Subject: Re: Respecting Others From: "jcdendroica" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:23:30 -0000 A helpful reminder for birders (myself included because it prompted me to read this again), is the ABA Code of Ethics which applies to both birders and photographers alike (Part 1b). Interestingly, the ABA Code of Ethics includes what some might refer to as "The Golden Rule" or the Ethic of Reciprocity in it (Part 2C). http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA Subject: Cackling Goose in Rancho Goleta Lake, Ward Dr. From: "Liz M" <lizmuraoka AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:44:25 -0000 This morning,Tuesday, at 8:45, a small goose was seen by itself on the grassy area near the bridge. It wasn't much larger than the coots so I snapped some photos. I'm fairly certain it is a Cackling Goose due to the small size, short neck, stubby bill, and wing primaries extending past the tail. It flew into the water and disappeared into the fog, but hopefully it will stay for others to see it. There also were 2 Mute Swans, multitudes of Mallards, Pied-billed Grebes, and Ruddy Ducks. Yesterday there were Redheads and Ring-necked ducks at the far side of the lake but that area was obscured by fog this morning. My sister, Dianna, just called at 9:30 am, to confim she also saw the goose and is fairly certain it is a Cackling since it was standing on the bank next to a Mallard which was the same size. I am away from my desk so I will post photos later. Birders are welcome to enter the Rancho Goleta community on foot. Please park vehicles on Ward Drive. Liz Muraoka Santa Barbara Subject: Respecting Others From: "bocriss AT ymail.com" <bocriss@ymail.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:27:08 -0000 I had a very unpleasant birding experience on Saturday afternoon at Devereux Slough, and thought it might be something the community of birders would like to chime in on. I went to Devereux a second time, in the afternoon to get photos of the Sandhill Crane. I went to the west side of the lake, walking along the path and met two birders along the way who had set up a scope. A bit of chit chat was exchanged since I didn't know these birders and I thought everything was going fine. One of the birders asked the other if they wanted a photo. I jumped in and suggested we go further down the path to a vantage point where we could see the bird better. This is when one of the birders got very animated, raising their voice and ranting about the conduct of photographers. I felt that it was unprovoked and odd and I picked up my gear and moved on, suggesting this birder "must have had a long drive". I set up my camera up for another shot 20 yards down the path, where I had suggested we go previously. This is when it got really bizarre. This same birder approached saying they knew who I was and where I lived. He repeated this 4 times as I continued to take photos, all the while not speaking. This really freaked me out. I decided to call the police and met an officer a half hour later to file a report. Regardless of what birders think the photographers are doing, this threatening approach is seriously uncalled for. If you have visited my Flickr pages, you will see that I post photos of birds generally facing towards me. I use an expensive high powered super telephoto to achieve these results which include calm, undisturbed birds. My goal is to capture a beautiful image in a natural surrounding, not to disturb the birds. I hope birders will respect the rights of photographers and vice versa. Bo Criss Subject: Lewis' woodpecker at Los Carneros From: Roger Millikan <rcmillikan AT cox.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:57:27 -0800 He appeared to be setting up a territory by flying to different dead pines and chasing the flickers away. Seems to hold his own with the acorn woodpeckers too. Maybe he will stay. Here is a still photo if any body cares after Bo's nice video. http://roger.chem.ucsb.edu/PhotoonSite/ImageG/WoodpeckerLewis.html Roger Millikan Goleta Subject: Re: Sand Hill Crane Video at Devereux Slough From: "bocriss AT ymail.com" <bocriss@ymail.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:48:27 -0000 The new Canon 7D has nice video capabilities. Here are a couple of YouTube "rare" bird sightings: Sandhill Crane Drying Off http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8RdhxD3sbU Lewis's Woodpecker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJPPbiERQhA Sandhill Crane http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHF-xbMhmpw Subject: map of SBCO at sea? From: "WK" <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:23:19 -0000 Does anyone know of a map that shows our county border at sea? (I plan on taking my gps device on this Saturday's pelagic trip to separate my county birds from my out-of-county birds.) Thanks, Wim Subject: flickr and spyware From: "Paul G. Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:49:52 -0800 My anti-virus software found 'flickr' attempting to incorporate low-level spyware in its cookie. I have not gone to flickr before. Paul Rosso Lompoc, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: B-lated (and B-rated) Sat Sightings From: "matt v" <fickity AT netscape.net> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:14:32 -0000 Greetings! Apologies for being tardy, Holiday weekend and all that... On Sat 10-30 we visited Guadalupe in the morning. We arrived just as my phone exploded in a flurry of messages involving a certain rarity at Devereux. Since the commitment had been made, the weather was perfect and the beach beckoned, we persisted with our survey. Thus: Permanent Pastures, Guadalupe -2 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS -6 PAC GOLDEN PLOVER -1 MERLIN -Long-billed Dow, Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, LB Curlew -HOODED MERGANSER, and a multitude of common Ducks along with 3 Bonaparte's Gulls on the back pond. Guadalupe Beach and the Estuary -1 possible japonicus-type Pipit, will send out pics for comments Then, beach walk complete, weather enjoyed, scenery taken in, we RACED like serious NY commuters to Devereaux where we obtained long and satisfying views of one very cooperative SANDHILL CRANE. A survey of the Ducks in Goleta Bay that eve failed to find the Black Scoter. Great day to be out...! Please post if you see the Black Scoter? -- Matt Victoria Sylvan Dr. Goleta, CA 93117 webpage: http://www.fickity.net http://picasaweb.google.com/fickity.net "If it walks like a Duck, and quacks like a Duck; it may yet be construed a hybrid." *************************************************************** Subject: Goleta Birds From: Lynn Watson <nature.shutterbug AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:11:16 -0800 (PST) Goleta Birds from today - of most interest, Lewis' Woodpecker. http://natureshutterbug.com/wordpress/2009/11/02/goleta-birds-november-1/ Lynn Watson SB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Inland winter arrivals From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:44:32 -0000 11.1.09 Wes Fritz and I birded from Solvang, down Armour Ranch, around Happy Canyon, and back along Figueroa Mtn rds. At Armour Ranch several longspurs were with the Horned Lark flocks. Wes was able to ID these as Chestnut-collared. Ranger Peak was slow. Pino Alto had 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 fem Cassin's Finch, and a few heard Pygmy Nuthatches. On Fig mtn rd we had a soaring Golden Eagle. 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 3 Red-breasted Sapsuckers were seen at various locations. Overall, a beautiful warm windfree day. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara CA Subject: Ferruginous Hawks on Lompoc Southside From: "Paul G. Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:23:34 -0800 Around 5 pm, today Nov 1st, there were 2 Ferruginous Hawks in the Torrey Pine roost tree at E Olive and S. C St. on the southside of Lompoc. They have wintered here at least in the past 20 years. Paul Rosso Lompoc, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday October 26 - Sunday November 1, 2009 From: "Kelly, Melissa" <mkelly AT co.santa-barbara.ca.us> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 14:40:19 -0800 Howdy Folks, Wed Oct 28, 1 male SURF SCOTER 23 WOOD DUCKS hiding at the back of Bobcat Our adult BALD EAGLES are showing up together pretty frequently The immature 'white throated' BALD EAGLE is still hanging around Lots of EARED GREBES around Saturday: Liz pulled 2 female HOODED MERGANSERS out of a pack of MALLARDS at the back of Cachuma Bay; these are the first HoMe's we've seen in several years at the lake. No COMMON MERGANSERS or RUDDY DUCKS this week, but more LESSER SCAUP and 1 RING-NECKED DUCK showed themselves. Merlin 2-3 BUFFLEHEADS hanging around' Up to 26 WHITE PELICANS A BONEPART'S GULL, or perhaps two At least one COMMON LOON has returned, still in partial breeding plumage 3 new immature BALD EAGLES have arrived; these are easily discernible from the two we've been seeing the last couple of weeks; so now we have five immatures about. Two CACKLING GEESE with 4 CANADA GEESE at the back of Santa Cruz Bay Saturday; 1 CACKLING GOOSE with 13 CANADA GEESE this morning. Watched an adult BALD EAGLE-OSPREY 'dogfight' this morning; the fish won. Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday October 26 - Sunday November 1, 2009 Mostly sightings by Liz Mason and Melissa Kelly Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii Canada Goose Branta canadensis Mute Swan Cygnus olor Wood Duck Aix sponsa Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo - I California Quail Callipepla californica Common Loon Gavia immer Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Ardea alba Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Osprey Pandion haliaetus Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis American Kestrel Falco sparverius Merlin Falco columbarius American Coot Fulica americana Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Calidris spp Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis California Gull Larus californicus Herring Gull Larus argentatus Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis House Wren Troglodytes aedon Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana American Robin Turdus migratorius Wrentit Chamaea fasciata European Starling Sturnus vulgaris - I Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus California Towhee Pipilo crissalis Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria House Sparrow Passer domesticus I Melissa Kelly Assistant Naturalist Cachuma Lake County Park Santa Barbara County, CA 805.688-4515 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: No Sandhill Crane 11.1.09 From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:45:34 -0000 Sandhill Crane Not seen as of 8:30am on 11.1.09 Noah Gaines Santa Barbara CA Subject: CBRC Report on 2007 Records From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:22:22 -0800 For your information, the 33rd Report of the California Bird Records Committee was recently published in Western Birds Vol 40, No. 3. It details the accepted and not accepted rare bird reports submitted to the Committee for review. Santa Barbara County has 11 accepted records in 2007 which are highlighted below. No new species were added to the county list this time around. You can read the full text of the report from this CBRC website link: 33rd Report (1.80 MB pdf): http://www.californiabirds.org/07report/07report.pdf Accepted (some here with photo links): Manx Shearwater (3) Brown Booby (3) Mississippi Kite Black-headed Gull: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23971969 AT N03/2304854636/ Dusky Warbler: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23971969 AT N03/2304079531/ Scarlet Tanager (2): http://blackfoot.net/~larkwick/ScarletTanager.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/almiyi/2116146262/ Records not accepted were: American Golden-Plover Pine Warbler Le Conte's Sparrow As an aside, I would just like to thank those of you who contribute personally or allow your photos to be copied for viewing at the Flickr pool. A reminder that the group photo pool is open to anyone who is interested in sharing rare bird photos when you have them. It is really just a place where rare birds are consolidated and easier to locate with regard to SBA county: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sbcobirding/ Good birding! Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: LLC this evening From: "goletajeff" <jlh749 AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:50:48 -0000 Greetings, I visited lake Los Carneros from 4:40 till 6:00 pm tonight, and it was good. Best finds were a Tropical Kingbird and the Lewis' Woodpecker. Both were in N-S rows of pines west of the lake at midpoint, where the dirt road meets the paved one. I was fascinaterd by a Cassins that had perched within a foot of the TK, apparently wanting to hang out. Nancy States and Nina arrived, and pointed out the Lewis's in the row of dead pines to our west. The birds stayed for 15 mins, allowing great views. Also, the north end of the lake had 50 Ruddy Ducks and 16 Ring-necks. A Sora openly foraged in the NW corner. On the way out at La Patera, an adult White-tailed Kite was hover hunting the central east field. Jeff Hanson Goleta Subject: Sand Hill Crane Video at Devereux Slough From: "bocriss AT ymail.com" <bocriss@ymail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:15:36 -0000 http://www.flickr.com/photos/bocriss/4061364527/ Subject: Bullocks Oriole From: nancy states <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:14:31 -0700 Nina Bliss and I went to Coronado at the seep this morning. We had a female Summer Tanager at the water and in a euc. over to the right a beautiful Male Bullock's Oriole. Seems rather late for both these birds to be here. Nancy States Santa Barbara Subject: Sandhill Crane photos from Devereux Slough - October 31, 2009 From: "Callie" <cjbowdish AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:36:19 -0000 http://homepage.mac.com/cjbowdish/COPROct20091031/ COPR / Devereux Slough - October 31, 2009 Excitement over a rare visit by a Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis), Black-necked stilts Subject: Crane pics From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:27:17 -0700 I've posted a couple of distant photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/zonetail/ Noah, I'm so glad you didn't pass this off as a GB Heron as I think I might have done! Hugh R. SB Subject: Sandhill Crane at Devereux Slough From: "cjbowdish" <cjbowdish AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:24:45 -0000 Sandhill Crane at Devereux Slough - 10-31-2009 http://www.calliebowdish.com/Pictures/IMG_0350ShCrane.jpg Subject: Lewis' Woodpecker in Los Carneros Park, Goleta Oct 28,2009 From: "eppygriffin" <eppygriffin AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:38:08 -0000 Hi All, I apologize for the very delayed post but I wasn't a member of this group before and it took a little while to get approved. However, I hope the bird is still present because it was so cooperative and is centrally located in Goleta. On Wednesday morning around 7:30am I had a beautiful male Lewis' Woodpecker in Los Carneros park in Goleta. He was perched in the open on a large dead snag of a tree to the west of the "lake". This snag and the others near it are usually filled with squawking Acorn Woodpeckers but this morning when I looked up into the tree I saw a good sized woodpecker with an almost maraschino pink belly. Only one thing it could be in this area. I eventually got close enough and in the right lighting to see his other field marks clearly. As the guides say "unmistakable". The Google Earth coordinates are: lat: 34.441146° lon: -119.851085 Ed Griffin Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Subject: Black Scoter in Goleta Bay From: "jared.dawson40" <jared.dawson40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:05:07 -0000 Kathleen and I spent the last part of yesterday (30th) afternoon walking the UCSB shoreline from Goleta Beach to the rocky point and back. There were 14 Surf Scoters being led in formation by a male BLACK SCOTER. We missed any sight of the Red Knot but did see a latish Pectoral Sandpiper at the waterfall outlet 'creek' for a few minutes. On the way back there were 6 Dunlin at this same place. Two Bonaparte's Gulls were in a small mixed flock of gulls along with 8 Elegant Terns. Good numbers of Black Turnstones. Jared Dawson Santa Barbara Subject: sandhill crane info From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:34:20 -0000 10.31.09 The Sandhill Crane cont at the same location. Moving around a bit. Please do not pressure the bird and do not cross the reserve boundary. Keeping the bird from flushing is more important than a good picture. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara CA Subject: sandhill crane at devereux From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:26:22 -0000 10.31.09 Juv sandhill crane at 1st turnout at devereux NOW! Noah Gaines Santa barbara ca Subject: Grace's Warbler From: nancy states <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:40:11 -0700 Fran Stephens and I went around Goleta birding yesterday. We found the Grace's Warbler in a pine near Placer Road in the Belle Visa park. Out at Dev. slough we saw over 50 Canada Geese all in a long line. Lots of ducks including Redheads and a pair of Buffleheads. Two Kites were together in a tree near the ocean. At UCSB Lagoon there were many Elegant Terns diving for small fish . Among them were 5 Bonaparte's Gulls. Over near the "waterfall" area the juv. Red Knot was walking with a Willett. A great day to be out. Nancy States Santa Barbara Subject: LLC Red-naped Sapsucker From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:56:06 -0000 10.30.09 I enjoyed my last afterwork birding for the year at LLC. I am not happy about daylight savings stealing my hour of birding time. I relocated the RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER at some wells high in a euc. The tree was in the line between the parking lot and the train station. The tree was just to the right (maybe 5 trees) from the train station entrance. I was standing near the fire station driveway. 3-5 Red-breasted Sapsuckers were around. Several Sora seen and heard around the lake. One White-tailed Kite flying NE. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara CA Subject: Clay-colored Sparrow From: "Guy Tingos" <guy.tingos AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:25:37 -0700 After disappearing for 3 weeks, the Clay-colored Sparrow appeared again in our yard the last few days. Guy Tingos Santa Barbara, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Preisker Park Birds From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:32:49 -0700 Upon closer examination of my Northern Flicker photos I believe the bird may be a hybrid. The only evidence for this is the apparent mixture of red with the black mustache mark. I don't think a pure Yellow-shafted Flicker would show this. Certainly not visible in the field from the distance I was looking at it. Look at the "All sizes" view on Flickr to make this out. Without seeing the underside of the wings and tail, this bird looks like YSFL in color and facial pattern. Comments welcome. Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jamie Chavez" To: "SBA Birders" Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 1:34 PM Subject: [sbcobirding] Preisker Park Birds > Birding in Preisker Park this morning I found a nice male "Yellow-shafted" > Flicker. It looked pure to me, although I never saw the undersurface of > the wings or tail well to know for sure. Also present was a small flock of > five Chipping Sparrows. A good bird for Preisker Park since I have only > seen one there previously in several years of birding. Also seen was a > "Slate-colored" Junco in the sparrow and junco flock. All these birds were > along the west side of the park around the magnolia trees. No sign of the > Tropical Kingbird that Mark photographed there recently. A few photos can > be seen here: > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/almiyi/ > > Jamie Chavez > Santa Maria, CA > Subject: Preisker Park Birds From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:34:52 -0700 Birding in Preisker Park this morning I found a nice male "Yellow-shafted" Flicker. It looked pure to me, although I never saw the undersurface of the wings or tail well to know for sure. Also present was a small flock of five Chipping Sparrows. A good bird for Preisker Park since I have only seen one there previously in several years of birding. Also seen was a "Slate-colored" Junco in the sparrow and junco flock. All these birds were along the west side of the park around the magnolia trees. No sign of the Tropical Kingbird that Mark photographed there recently. A few photos can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/almiyi/ Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Redstart From: "matt v" <fickity AT netscape.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:01:20 -0000 You guessed it... I have found another. This one currently visiting the drain at Coronado, aka lake Coronado scenic wetlands NOW. Three AMRE this year and all I want is a cswa... Just one. MattV goleta, currently skiving Subject: Carpinteria merlin From: Eric Culbs <ericculbs AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:27:10 -0700 (PDT) Adult merlin atop black locus in backyard today around 4pm. I believe it was a female. Had a good couple minutes to look at it before it was dived by a crow. --Eric Culbertson Carpinteria Subject: Goleta Merlins From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:18:50 -0000 10.28.09 After work, 5pm, I checked the bottle brushes along Merida and saw a late Wilson's Warbler. Further up the creek, I had a quick Merlin flyover. At Stow Grove, another Merlin was on a snag near area 3 and allowed for prolonged viewing. Also had a White-tailed Kite flyover. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara CA Subject: UCSB Campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:38:53 -0700 Today, I rechecked the beaches below the eastern bluffs of the UCSB Campus and walked the beach from the stairs to the western end of the Lagoon. The majority of the shorebird activity was still below the eastern bluffs. In the flock of about 200 Sanderlings were at least 2 Dunlins, a juvenile Red Knot, a dozen Least Sandpipers, and a few Black-bellied Plovers. Further down the beach I found more Least Sandpipers, 2 Long-billed Curlews, 2 Whimbrels, 6-8 Willets, and 1 Greater Yellowlegs. On the Rocks at Campus Point, there were 6 Black Turnstones and another Whimbrel. That was it until I got to the western outlet of the Lagoon, where there was another large Sanderling flock and a few Least Sandpipers. American Pipits flew overhead from time to time. Gulls on the beaches were a mixed flock of Western, Heerman's, and California Gulls. There were Forster's and Elegant Terns working the bay. In Goleta Bay, there were a couple of Western-type Grebes and 1 Surf Scoter. Shorebirds in the Lagoon near the Faculty Club included 1 Black-necked Stilt, a few Willets, and about 15 Long-billed Dowitchers (from calls). The Lagoon had a pair of Eared Grebes today, the first I've seen there since fall. Florence Sanchez Subject: Yellow-shafted Flicker From: "Michael" <michaeltiffany AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:57:24 -0000 Yesterday, 10/27, we saw a yellow-shafted flicker flying parallel to northbound Highway 154 south of the Edison/Baseline Road intersection. The bird was flying in our direction about 50 feet from the road so we were able to get a good look for several seconds. Definitely had bright yellow wing linings but we weren't able to see the head markings - could be a hybrid. Michael Tiffany Ventura Subject: Deveraux From: "DavidL" <dj_levasheff AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:26:14 -0000 Yesterday the 27th, Jeff Hanson & I were at center turnout. We spotted a Wood Duck on the far bank slightly to the north. David Subject: Wednesday Night Program: The Owl and The Woodpecker From: "Adam" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:52:53 -0000 The Owl and The Woodpecker: Encounters with North America's Most Iconic Birds by Paul Bannick Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Sponsored by the Santa Barbara Audubon Society Farrand Hall, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 2559 Puesta Del Sol Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Doors open 7:00 PM Program begins 7:30 PM Free to the public Award-winning photographer Paul Bannick will take you on a visual journey of 11 key North American habitats through the needs of North America's owl and woodpecker species. This stunning photographic study will be accompanied by field stories, and rich natural history derived from thousands of hours in the field. His talk will look at the way owls and woodpeckers define and enrich their habitat and how their life-histories are intertwined. Early reviews of Paul's first book include the following: "The Owl and the Woodpecker is a monumental work of photojournalism by one of North America's top wildlife photographers. The images you'll encounter in this book are the result of an encyclopedic knowledge of birds and their habitats, an intense love of nature, and endless patience. For anyone who appreciates wild things and wild places, each of Bannick's stunning photographs is worth ten thousand words." —Ted Williams, Editor-at-Large, Audubon magazine. "What a glorious book! Paul Bannick's photographs reveal the startling beauty and complex survival strategies of the owl and the woodpecker, North America's most charismatic and crucial cavity-nesting birds. These are images to savor again and again." —Bruce Barcott, Contributing Editor to Outside Magazine and author of The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw. Paul is an award winning photographer whose work has appeared in Audubon, Sunset, and Pacific Northwest Magazines, and in many books including the recently published National Wildlife Federation Guide to North American Birds, Smithsonian Guide to North American Birds as well as in many parks, refuges and other places in North America and Europe. Paul works full time for Conservation Northwest, a conservation organization dedicated to protecting and connecting wild areas from the Pacific Coast to the Canadian Rockies and the biodiversity of these areas. Adam Lewis for the SBAS Subject: Black-throated gray warbler From: Roger Millikan <rcmillikan AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:06:36 -0700 Since the big rain, the single wet spot at Coronado has been augmented with many wet spots along Devereux creek eastward toward the golf course. So the birds are more spread out. At one such spot about 500 feet east of where the ovenbird was seen I found this black-throated gray warbler. A first year female I think. Lovely bird. http://roger.chem.ucsb.edu/PhotoonSite/ImageG/WarbBkThGray.html Roger Millikan Goleta Subject: Magnolia and Hermit Warblers at San Jose Ck From: "jared.dawson40" <jared.dawson40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:52:20 -0000 Thanks Joan for the heads-up about the flowering bottle-brush trees along Merida Dr, they were hopping with birds (and bees) this morning, especially those close to 438 Merida. Kathleen and I were in the area from 09:45 to 12:00 this morning the 27th. We had brief but definitive looks at a probable female MAGNOLIA WARBLER. The definitive look was at its ventral area and undertail, which clearly showed the distal black portion of the tail, and the white proximal portion along with the undertail coverts and lower belly. Otherwise I saw its bright yellow breast, but could not make out any streaking, although that may have been somewhat obscured. I also had a good look at a HERMIT WARBLER, it had a bright yellow face but lacked any black on its breast. First-year male perhaps? On Sunday the 25th for two hours before sunset Kathleen and I traversed the San Marcos Foothills from east (La Vista Rd) to west (Hwy 154). Curious if there would be much bird activity (not much), and also looking for White-tailed Kites for the SB Audubon surveying (none). The best birds were relatively high in the oaks on the lower ridge, a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a Hairy Woodpecker. The Sapsucker was close to a S. ruber ruber in appearance with quite restricted white on the face and back, but most likely it was a daggetti at the darker range of the subspecies. Otherwise, outside of the largest Cienguitas canyon, it was very quiet. In the canyon, there were alot of common residents along with at least 3 Hermit Thrushes. The creek where we were was damp-looking but no water was visible. Jared Dawson Santa Barbara Subject: Lost field guide? From: "rebeccacoulter" <rfcsb AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:59:06 -0000 Yesterday while walking in the crosswalk at Patterson and Hollister, I picked up a slightly-run-over Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds (newer edition). No name or identifying marks on it; if you've lost one and would like it back, please contact me and I will return it. It isn't too badly damaged, so it must not have been in the road too long. Funny--it was open to the "confusing fall warblers" page.... Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara Subject: UCSB Campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:40:37 -0700 Today at noon time in a stiffening breeze, I checked the UCSB Lagoon and then the beaches as seen from the eastern campus bluffs. The Lagoon shorebirds included a flock of 20 or more Willets, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Black-necked Stilts, and a couple of Dowitchers. As of this date, I have not yet found any diving ducks in the Lagoon. Several Forester's Terns were working the eastern end of the Lagoon. With them was a Bonaparte's Gull and a single Elegant Tern. Elegants are frequently seen on our beaches, but we don't get them very often working the Lagoon. Compared to some counts on past days, the number of Shorebirds on the eastern beaches was way down; however, the variety was good. I had about 100 Sanderlings near the "waterfall" outlet, and with them was a group of 6-7 Dunlins and a juvenile Red Knot. Also seen on the beach were a few Willets, 2-3 Greater Yellowlegs, a few Black-bellied Plovers, and 1 Least Sandpiper. There was nothing of note in Goleta Bay except a flock of 4 Surf Scoters. Florence Sanchez Subject: Devereux From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:56:19 -0500 All: A rather early pre-lunch check caught both TKs together. The 6 Whitefronts eventually showed up at their usual spot on the N end of the slough. Diving ducks continue to change dramatically on a day to day basis. Today there were: Redhead - 28 Ring-necked Duck - 1 f Lesser Scaup - 1 m Greater Scaup - 6 (2 juv m, 1 juv f, 3 ad f - some of this aging is a bit speculative) I might be wrong on 1-2 of the scaups but they are giving much better views this year and certainly most are Greater. Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Tropical Kingbird at Preisker Park Santa Maria 10/26/09 From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:21:22 -0700 (PDT) Just to clarify the record, Lehman (1994) mentions 8 fall north coast records of Tropical Kingbird (although he doesn't list them). In addition, he mentions a bird that wintered at VAFB in consecutive years, 24 Dec 1988-12 Mar 1989 and 30 Jan-17 Mar 1991.   In 1995-2008, there were 10 additional records of this species from the north coast (see below). Note the July 1998 record. If there are any other summer records for California, there can't be many.   Note that fewer birds have been seen on the north coast since 2003. Whatever happened to Brad Hines, anyway?   1 nr SYRE, 14 Oct 1995 1 at SMRE, 30 Sep 1996 2 at SMRE, 17 Oct 1996, with 1 remaining through 22 Oct. 1 photographed at the VAFB ponds, 10 July 1998 (only summer record) 1 at the VAFB ponds, 13 Oct 2000 1 at the VAFB ponds, 17 Oct 2002 1 at SYRE, 5 Oct 2003 1 nr Pt Arguello, VAFB, 19 Oct 2003 1 nr SMRE, 20 Sep 2005 1 nr Santa Maria, 29 Sep 2008   Dave Compton Santa Barbara --- On Mon, 10/26/09, markbrown1848 wrote: From: markbrown1848 Subject: [sbcobirding] Tropical Kingbird at Preisker Park Santa Maria 10/26/09 To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, October 26, 2009, 7:49 PM All: I saw and heard a Tropical Kingbird at Preisker Park this evening, October 26, 2009.  The Tropical Kingbird was being attacked by the ~6 Cassin's Kingbirds roosting nearby.  The Tropical's call was so different from the Cassin's or a Couch's. There is a Vandenberg AFB record from Lehman as the only North County record.  Jamie had one from the SMRE area a few days back.  Picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/4048171493 . http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/4048916226 . Mark Brown Santa Maria ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com . Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nor-Co Tropicals From: "markbrown1848" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:06:18 -0000 All: Sorry I said Jamie Chavez found a Tropical Kingbird near the SMRE a few days ago. I meant a few years ago! September 20, 2005 to be exact. In his post he says he has seen 5-6 Tropical Kingbirds at the same place over the years. Mark Brown Santa Maria Subject: Tropical Kingbird at Preisker Park Santa Maria 10/26/09 From: "markbrown1848" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:49:36 -0000 All: I saw and heard a Tropical Kingbird at Preisker Park this evening, October 26, 2009. The Tropical Kingbird was being attacked by the ~6 Cassin's Kingbirds roosting nearby. The Tropical's call was so different from the Cassin's or a Couch's. There is a Vandenberg AFB record from Lehman as the only North County record. Jamie had one from the SMRE area a few days back. Picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/4048171493 . http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/4048916226 . Mark Brown Santa Maria Subject: Devereux From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:29:26 -0500 All: A quick lunch stop revealed the 6 Whitefronts. Diving ducks appeared to be: Redhead: 10+, constantly diving so hard to count Ring-necked Duck: 5 Greater Scaup: One obviously large bird with limited white around the bill is a 1Y male IMO. I eventually decided that a second smaller dull female scaup-like duck was a female Greater too, but am interested in other opinions. No sign of any Lesser Scaup. Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Magnolia Warbler, White-winged Dove, Phainopepla at Berkeley Bike Bridge this a.m. 10/26 From: "Joan Lentz" <joanlentz AT cox.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:34:49 -0700 Hi All: We had a great morning! The birdiest spot was standing on Merida Dr. (east side of the Berkeley bike bridge) & watching all the warblers/hummers in the bottlebrush trees. As we were looking at the bottlebrush trees just a little further north from the pink euc. (beyond where the path descends down towards the creek & at the end of the white wooden fence), we got very fleeting views of what I believe to be a Magnolia Warbler. It was bright yellow & the black streaks along the side of the breast were visible. The bright white undertail coverts ruled out Prairie. The face was grayish & it had two faint wingbars. Anyone who's birding along Merida, I'd appreciate further input! Just south of the Berkeley bike bridge on the trail that goes along the east side of the creek (past the fenced in power plant), was a White-winged Dove sitting in the willows w/ a couple of Mourning Doves. There was a Phainopepla in the cottonwood trees approximately opposite the baseball diamond/playground area further north along the creek. Maybe we should start birding this area of San Jose Creek more frequently now that there's water in the creek and all those bottlebrush trees are starting/finishing? blooming! Joan Lentz Santa Barbara Subject: Waller Park Sunday Morning From: "jcdendroica" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:23:08 -0000 On Sunday morning in Santa Maria's Waller Park I found the birding a little poor due to the wind, but I did see a couple of things of note. First was a pale female Merlin that I think was of the Prairie race- brown upperparts, whitish underparts with thin streaking on the breast. The second is a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks that I spotted copulating in a Monterey pine (in October?). I have seen Red-shouldered Hawks occupying a nest, or at least building one in January in Preisker Park so maybe this isn't so unusual. Lastly, the Ross's Goose and Snow Goose remain in the front pond, but there was no sign of the Cackling Goose. Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA Subject: A few weekend birds From: "Dianna" <proscript.inc AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:27:13 -0000 Yesterday at Ellwood Don and I were looking up into the eucalyptus trees next to the car wash area, observing a couple Hutton's Vireos, when one of the vireos was obviously just as curious about us and came down to a branch about 6 feet above us, so both bird and humans were able to get nice close looks at each other. My camera was barely able to focus on the bird at that close range, but I managed to get one shot. I also got a photo of a female Selasphorus sp. hummer at the car wash area where it was resting in a scrub oak between visits to the bottlebrush. Today we drove up Farren Road and saw a covey of California Quail--about 16 of which crossed the road--and a pair of Common Ravens were flying with some Turkey Vultures over the reservoir (unfortunately didn't get photos). We thought they were crows until we heard one of the ravens vocalize several times with a low croaking sound and then realized they had wedge-shaped tails. They split off from the vultures and flew down the hill and out of sight. We then decided to drive to Cuyama, but found very few birds of interest until we approached the Cuyama Dairy and found approximately 200 ravens flying circles over the dairy, which was quite a sight. The only other birds at the dairy were European Starlings, Brewer's Blackbirds, and Rock Pigeons. We then drove up Ballinger Road and didn't find anything of interest there, so turned around and headed home. We decided to take Tepesquet Canyon Road, and about ½ mile up encountered a flock of 13 Wild Turkeys. The Nature Center at Cachuma was our last stop, and there was standing room only for Lesser Goldfinches at their niger feeder. Here are a few photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27856490 AT N08/sets/72157622664519500/show/ I happen to be reading a book titled Mind of the Raven, by Bernd Heinrich, so seeing all those ravens today was quite a treat. Dianna Ricky Santa Barbara Subject: Osprey hunting From: "nlameijer" <nlameijer AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:43:54 -0000 hi All, On my stroll through the Carp Salt Marsh I watched an Osprey Hunt along S. Monica Creek. I have seen one fly over multiple times, observing hunting behavior in the Marsh was a first for me. Also in the marsh: Merlin 1 Blue winged Teals 7 Pintail 3 Pied billed grebe 5 Belted Kingfisher 2 and a bunch of the regular coots, mallards, egrets and such Subject: Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday October 19 - Sunday October 25, 2009 From: "Kelly, Melissa" <mkelly AT co.santa-barbara.ca.us> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:34:28 -0700 Howdy Folks, On Tues Oct 20 Liz had a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER at the birdbath by her office window. It hasn't been seen recently. Other stuff this week: WESTERN MEADOWLARK HERMIT THRUSH PURPLE FINCH A MERLIN at the Nature Center Saturday afternoon At least 24 WHITE PELICANS today ~ 35 LESSER SCAUP It looked like there were 3 GREATER SCAUP mixed in with the Lessers; the 3 readily stood out in flight with brighter longer white lines in the wings. RUDDY DUCKS EARED GREBES, lots 2 BUFFLEHEAD Two immature BALD EAGLES today; the one that's been hanging around for a while with the dark belly and white throat, and a second one with a very reddish belly and a buffy throat. The two adult BALD EAGLES were perched side by side near the intake. Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday October 19 - Sunday October 25, 2009 Mostly sightings by Liz Mason and Melissa Kelly Canada Goose Branta canadensis Mute Swan Cygnus olor Gadwall Anas strepera Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Greater Scaup Aythya marila Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Common Merganser Mergus merganser Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo - I California Quail Callipepla californica Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Ardea alba Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Osprey Pandion haliaetus Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis American Kestrel Falco sparverius Merlin Falco columbarius American Coot Fulica americana Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius California Gull Larus californicus Herring Gull Larus argentatus Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus House Wren Troglodytes aedon Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus Wrentit Chamaea fasciata European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus California Towhee Pipilo crissalis Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria House Sparrow Passer domesticus - I Ciao! Melissa Kelly Assistant Naturalist Cachuma Lake County Park Santa Barbara County, CA 805.688-4515 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Red-throated Pipit at SMRE & a red Vermilion Flycatcher at Guadalupe Sewage From: "markbrown1848" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:03:18 -0000 All: This morning I heard a Red-throated Pipit near the Santa Maria River mouth. I hunted it down and got a picture. I think? http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/4043648771 . A red Vermilion Flycatcher at the Guadalupe Sewage Pasture. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/4043648465 . http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/4044393450 . Mark Brown Santa Maria Subject: Sunday birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:52:20 -0500 All: I had a pretty uneventful morning checking out various allotments and the fields by El Cap. The only point of interest was apparently 2 Tropical Kingbirds at Devereux as noted by Hugh. I had two single birds on either side of the slough only a couple of minutes apart. Nick Lethaby Manager, Software Partner Network Texas Instruments nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Devereux and Coal Oil Point Oct 22-24 From: "Yuji" <gobi2goby AT yahoo.co.jp> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:59:30 -0000 Photos from Devereux and Coal Oil Point last three days I enjoyed watching terns feeding their kids. http://www.flickr.com/photos/eugene2010/sets/72157622656555876/show/ Yuji Kozaki Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Subject: Devereux morning From: "robdenholtz" <robdenholtz AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:21:04 -0000 Sunday, Oct. 25, 8:40 AM - Devereux Slough: Gadwall 7 American Wigeon 20 Mallard 30 Northern Shoveler 24 Northern Pintail 8 (all female) Ring-necked Duck 4 Ruddy Duck 8 Eared Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 3 Great Egret 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron 16 White-tailed Kite 2 Red-shouldered Hawk (California) 2 American Coot 32 Black-necked Stilt 1 Black Phoebe 3 Cassin's Kingbird 3 Wrentit 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 3 Rob Denholtz Carpinteria Subject: Grace's Warbler, etc. From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:08:38 -0700 (PDT) Holly Keefe and I easily found the returning GRACE'S WARBLER at Bella Vista Open Space in northwest Goleta late this morning. It could be heard chipping as we got out of the car on Placer Dr. The bird was foraging in an isolated group of four ornamental trees in the center of the park, a little north of the bridge. It later flew into pines at the west edge of the park.   Earlier, we birded Tecolotito Creek in Goleta from the south side of Hollister north to the railroad tracks. Nothing exciting, but two NASHVILLE WARBLERS coming to bathe in the creek on airport property just south of Hollister were on the late side, as was a WARBLING VIREO along the stretch of creek that parallels the railroad tracks. Also, an OSPREY was on airport property, south of the main runway but seen from Hollister.   Dave Compton Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Costco has Sibley! From: "DavidL" <dj_levasheff AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:26:47 -0000 The Sibley Guide to Birds at Goleta Costco for 23.99! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Goleta, Devereux, and Nojoqui Falls From: "dickcannings2" <cannings AT zoology.ubc.ca> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:10:30 -0000 Hi: My wife and I did some birding this morning on our way to Morro Bay. We started at Goleta Beach, where the highlight was stunning views of an adult and juvenile Peregrine Falcon interacting in the big trees across the slough. Also saw a harrier and kestrel passing by there. Hoped to see the Tricolored Blackbirds mentioned in the SC guide book, but only had a Red-wing and several Brewer's. On to Devereux, where we bumped in to Nick Lethaby and got the kingbird hat-trick, along with the white-fronted geese, and all the various ducks mentioned in other posts today. Great views of an adult Red-shouldered Hawk there, a treat for us British Columbians. Then over the pass to Solvang and Nojoqui Falls, where we had a nice mixed flock while we ate lunch--titmice, WB nuthatches, Purple Finch, RC Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, Townsend's Warblers, etc., and of course the YB magpies. I've reported our SLOCO birds to that list, the best things being a Blackpoll Warbler at Oceano and 2000 Black-vented Shearwaters off Shell Beach. cheers Dick Cannings Penticton BC Subject: Grace's Warbler From: "DavidL" <dj_levasheff AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:28:22 -0000 I was at Bella Vista Open Space from around 10:30 to 11:30 and finally found the Grace's Warbler (as I missed it repeatedly last year). It was in the Eastern Most pins (a stand of 3 at the creek) where the walkway curves around the picnic tables. Had some great views of Townsend's in the stand on the other side of the path a little farther north. See photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23243079 AT N05/sets/72157622524738103 Subject: Deveraux 3 From: "DavidL" <dj_levasheff AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:51:13 -0000 I was there between 12:45 and 1:30, also saw a lone Northern Shovler and several ruddies. Subject: Devereux part 2 From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:24:39 -0700 To add to Nick's sightings: I thought there might have been 2 Tropical Kingbirds. 6 White-fronted Geese 2 Pintail Cattle Egret (at slough mouth) Peregrine Pretty quiet at Ellwood. There were at least 2 GC Kinglets in the eucs east of the car wash spot. HughR. SB