Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Santa Barbara County > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, July 3 at 11:50 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Black-naped Monarch,©Jan Wilczur

3 Jul Devereux shorebirds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 02 Jul Re: fall migrants ["Wim" ] 02 Jul Late Osprey Posting Carpinteria Sat june 27th ["nlameijer" ] 30 Jun Re: Re: x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon ["Wes Fritz" ] 01 Jul Re: x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon ["Jim Greaves" ] 30 Jun Killdeer hatchlings/sycamore creek,SB [Eric Culbs ] 29 Jun Re: x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 29 Jun x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon ["Wim" ] 28 Jun (unknown) [Eric Culbs ] 28 Jun firsts of the season ["robdenholtz" ] 28 Jun Follow up on Santa Maria park post ["jared.dawson40" ] 28 Jun Birds of Cachuma Lake From Sunday June 14 - Sunday June 28, 2009 ["Kelly, Melissa" ] 28 Jun Indigo Bunting at Santa Maria's newest park ["Mark Brown" ] 27 Jun White-eyed Vireo ["Andy Lazere" ] 27 Jun fall mgrants ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 26 Jun White Eyed Vireo ["Ria Marsh" ] 26 Jun Santa Maria River Mouth ["Jamie Chavez" ] 26 Jun WeVi in Goleta [Rebecca ] 25 Jun RE: Thursday birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 25 Jun Thursday birds [Hugh Ranson ] 25 Jun Osprey at LLC ["sbfledgling" ] 24 Jun A few observations ["sbfledgling" ] 24 Jun Re: White-eyed Vireo recording song ["Jim Greaves" ] 24 Jun RFI: PA Birders FIRST Visit to CAþþ, Y-B Magpies? [Jeffery Davis ] 24 Jun Vireo-- yes, Parula--no [Hugh Ranson ] 24 Jun Re: White-eyed Vireo ["jared.dawson40" ] 23 Jun Re: Vireo? [Robert Lindsay ] 23 Jun Vireo? [Hugh Ranson ] 23 Jun N. Parula [Hugh Ranson ] 23 Jun Friday Bird Walk June 26 ["sbfledgling" ] 23 Jun SBAS Lecture Wednesday Evening June 24 ["sbfledgling" ] 22 Jun Baird's Sandpiper at SMRE 6/21/09 ["Mark Brown" ] 22 Jun UCSB Campus Vireo [Florence Sanchez ] 22 Jun WEVI Contunues at 7:00AM Monday ["David Levasheff" ] 22 Jun Re: Some photos of White-Eyed Vireo ["Alex R. Abela" ] 21 Jun White-eyed Vireo [Hugh Ranson ] 22 Jun a goatsucker and storm-petrels ["Mark Brown" ] 21 Jun Eyes in the Sky Field Trips ["Gabriele" ] 21 Jun WEVI continues ["evostevensb" ] 20 Jun WEVI Photo's [Evan Caves ] 21 Jun Some photos of White-Eyed Vireo ["dianna.ricky" ] 20 Jun White-eyed Vireo still there [Oscar Johnson ] 20 Jun Re: Casual Observations in Goleta ["sbfledgling" ] 20 Jun Re: White-eyed Vireo in Goleta ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 20 Jun White-eyed Vireo in Goleta ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 20 Jun Re: More Mesa - fledgling Cooper's Hawks [Evan Caves ] 20 Jun Casual Observations in Goleta ["sbfledgling" ] 19 Jun More Mesa - fledgling Cooper's Hawks [Lynn Watson ] 19 Jun American Redstart continues. ["Noah Gaines" ] 18 Jun Vireo-no, Redstart-yes [Hugh Ranson ] 18 Jun Re: White-eyed Vireo [Florence Sanchez ] 17 Jun White-eyed Vireo [Peter Gaede ] 16 Jun Re: Mystery bird location [Evan Caves ] 16 Jun Mystery bird location [Lynn Watson ] 16 Jun More Mesa mystery bird [Lynn Watson ] 16 Jun Poss. Bay-breast location? [Hugh Ranson ] 16 Jun Re: Mystery Bird- Possible Bay-breasted Warbler ["Jamie Chavez" ] 16 Jun Lots of Male Tricolored Blackbirds on Lompoc Southside ["Paul G. Rosso" ] 16 Jun Re: Mystery Bird- Possible Bay-breasted Warbler ["sbtechmy" ] 16 Jun Mystery Bird- Possible Bay-breasted Warbler ["Jamie Chavez" ] 16 Jun Daytime Owling ["Matt V." ] 15 Jun Weekend Birds--Photos ["dianna.ricky" ] 15 Jun Eastern Kingbird 6/14/09 Sisquoc/Garey area ["Mark Brown" ] 14 Jun A few additions to David's post ["jared.dawson40" ] 14 Jun Hollister Ranch Trip 6/13/09 ["David Levasheff" ] 12 Jun More Mesa birds [Lynn Watson ] 11 Jun Birds of Santa Barbara, California to be auctioned [Mark Holmgren ] 11 Jun Young Green heron ["nlameijer" ] 11 Jun BC Night Heron nests ["sbtechmy" ] 11 Jun Brant (?) at Carp Creek lagoon ["Daniel" ] 10 Jun Devereux Ibis ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 10 Jun Re: Odd Scrub Jay at Waller park ["Jim Greaves" ] 10 Jun Audubon Society Friday Bird Walk June 12 ["sbfledgling" ] 10 Jun Odd Scrub Jay at Waller park ["Mark Brown" ] 10 Jun LLC LEAST BITTERN, Parula no ["Matt V." ] 9 Jun Devereux No. Parula [Dave Compton ] Subject: Devereux shorebirds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:49:48 -0500 All: Finally got decent looks at the birds this AM. Western Sandpiper - 51 Least Sandpiper - 3 Semipalmated Plover - 21, including 2-3 returning adults Snowy Plover - 4 Short-billed Dowitcher - 1 Willet - 1 Nick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: fall migrants From: "Wim" <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:59:30 -0000 This morning I noticed indeed a large increase in the number of peeps at Devereux: 40-ish Western Sandpipers. (The light was working against me, so I might have missed more of them or different species.) - Wim --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Lethaby, Nick" wrote: > > All: > > The first return migrants are showing up at Devereux. Last night I had a dowitcher and a peep in poor light. This morning there were 5 Western Sandpipers and 2 Greater Yellowlegs that were certainly new arrivals. Willets have been trickling back for a week or more with a season high 7 today. The 20 summering Semipalmated Plovers remain (and there doubtless 4 Whimbrel still around on the beach). > > The Dune pond is dried out and the Los Carneros/Mesa wetland is almost dried out. Devereux has a week or two at most. It's going to be a pretty shorebird migration locally. > > Nick > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Late Osprey Posting Carpinteria Sat june 27th From: "nlameijer" <nlameijer AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:56:52 -0000 Hi All, Have been out of town, hence the late posting. Saturday June 27th (3 pm) an Osprey flew over down town Carpinteria in the direction of the Salt Marsh. I was on my way out of town so do not know whether it decided to hang around there. Niels Carpinteria Subject: Re: Re: x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:52:04 -0700 Hi all, For what it's worth, a couple of Shrikes have already moved into the Santa Inez Valley. Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Greaves To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 7:04 PM Subject: [sbcobirding] Re: x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon As a point of information, Loggerhead shrikes breed sparingly in the Santa Clara River Valley of Ventura County [in recent past I saw a nest and later fledged young at Saticoy ponds], so it seems likely there'd be some adults elsewhere along the Central Coast, though rare (?)... I have not consulted Lehman, nor perused recent data bases for Santa Barbara, so your sighting could be very significant, and could suggest breeding near or where you saw it. Worth monitoring! - Jim Greaves --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Wim" wrote: > > PS: Last week I noticed an adult Loggerhead Shrike at the nearby Ocean Meadows Golf Course, which seems unusual this time of the year. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:04:17 -0000 As a point of information, Loggerhead shrikes breed sparingly in the Santa Clara River Valley of Ventura County [in recent past I saw a nest and later fledged young at Saticoy ponds], so it seems likely there'd be some adults elsewhere along the Central Coast, though rare (?)... I have not consulted Lehman, nor perused recent data bases for Santa Barbara, so your sighting could be very significant, and could suggest breeding near or where you saw it. Worth monitoring! - Jim Greaves --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Wim" wrote: > > PS: Last week I noticed an adult Loggerhead Shrike at the nearby Ocean Meadows Golf Course, which seems unusual this time of the year. Subject: Killdeer hatchlings/sycamore creek,SB From: Eric Culbs <ericculbs AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:00:34 -0700 (PDT) On the afternoon of saturday june,27 I watched two adult KILLDEER and two very young downy hatchlings foraging at mouth/outflow of sycamore creek in SB, between the cabrillo bathhouse and the east beach vollyball courts.the hatchlings were not flying. Lots of broken wing displays by the adults. Children chased the young away from the adults and seperated them. At one point both young were on opposite sides of the creek mouth and the adults were flying frantically about. I talked to a group of the youngsters about not chassing the birds and the kids seemed eager and excited to help keep people away. The beach is very crowded however, and will be for the next couple months. A rope fence to deter people away from the area would be a simple and easy way to protect wildlife at the creek mouth. The enclosure at Coal oil point works well. Does anyone have any thoughts? ---Eric, Carpinteria Subject: Re: x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:00:05 -0500 The recent dowitchers at Devereux are Short-billeds. There were 3 this afternoon. The reasons are: SBDO is both the earlier migrant and much commoner in late June compared to LBDO. These are in summer plumage but show obvious white vents and bellies. LBDO is much more solidly red underneath. It also molts later in migration. Nick ________________________________ From: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon Jun 29 14:29:58 2009 Subject: [sbcobirding] x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon This morning I spotted a Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon, but I don't know which one. It was hanging out with the Stilts on the west side of the slough (nearby the two benches and the interpretive signs). I would appreciate it if anyone could help me in determining if this is a Short-Billed or a Long-Billed one. - Wim PS: Last week I noticed an adult Loggerhead Shrike at the nearby Ocean Meadows Golf Course, which seems unusual this time of the year. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: x-Billed Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon From: "Wim" <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:29:58 -0000 This morning I spotted a Dowitcher at the Devereux Lagoon, but I don't know which one. It was hanging out with the Stilts on the west side of the slough (nearby the two benches and the interpretive signs). I would appreciate it if anyone could help me in determining if this is a Short-Billed or a Long-Billed one. - Wim PS: Last week I noticed an adult Loggerhead Shrike at the nearby Ocean Meadows Golf Course, which seems unusual this time of the year. Subject: (unknown) From: Eric Culbs <ericculbs AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:45:12 -0700 (PDT) Just a few hours ago I watched two adult Killdeer and two very young downy hatchlings foraging at mouth/outflow of sycamore creek in SB, between the cabrillo bathhouse and the east beach vollyball courts.the hatchlings were not flying. Lots of broken wing displays by the adults. Children chased the young away from the adults and seperated them. At one point both young were on opposite sides of the creek mouth and the adults were flying frantically about. I talked to a group of the youngsters about not chassing the birds and the kids seemed eager and excited to help keep people away. The beach is very crowded however, and will be for the next couple months. A rope fence to deter people away from the area would be a simple and easy way to protect wildlife at the creek mouth. The enclosure at Coal oil point works well. Does anyone have any thoughts? --Eric, Carpinteria Subject: firsts of the season From: "robdenholtz" <robdenholtz AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:18:58 -0000 Sunday, June 28, 8:00 AM, lagoon at the mouth of the Santa Monica Creek, Carp Salt Marsh, extraordinarily low tide: first of the season Western Sandpipers (2) and Semi-palmated Plovers (10) as well as a flock of about 50 Heerman's Gulls, a mostly-breeding-plumage Black-bellied Plover and a good-sized flock of Caspian Terns. -- Rob Denholtz, Carp SM Subject: Follow up on Santa Maria park post From: "jared.dawson40" <jared.dawson40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:47:11 -0000 Just some useful details that I (finally) was able to track down about the new Orcutt-area Los Flores Park that Mark just wrote about. Note that it is only open to hiking and biking (and birding) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, unless you can bird from your horse; Thursdays are equestrian-use only. I was not able to find any information about hours. Apparently there is no fee (YET), the fees are still being discussed. Jared Dawson Santa Barbara Subject: Birds of Cachuma Lake From Sunday June 14 - Sunday June 28, 2009 From: "Kelly, Melissa" <mkelly AT co.santa-barbara.ca.us> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:40:07 -0700 Howdy Folks, Grebes are rushing again and were seen copulating on the marina logline on 17June; a pair of CLARK'S GREBES were seen with at least 1, maybe two or more, chicks on board at the Santa Cruz Bay logline. We have not seen any other chicks since then, but we're still seeing Rush Displays fairly regularly. A PEREGRINE flew over Santa Cruz Bay to the NW on 17June. An adult BALD EAGLE was seen at the corner of Brinkerhof & Roblar at ~ 6am 18June, adding fuel to the rumor that there is a nesting pair perhaps on Figueroa Creek. Lots of CALIFORNIA QUAIL chicks, from tiny to medium sized. Lots of spotted MULE DEER fawns. The MUTE SWAN has been hanging around Storke Flat and Santa Cruz Bay consistently. Several WESTERN POND TURTLES have been seen in the last 3 weeks. Just about all our AMERICAN COOTS and PIED BILLED GREBES disappeared about 2 weeks ago; we're hard pressed to find 1 or 2 on a cruise now. There were 6 newly fledged ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS with 2 adults near a likely nest hole in the bank along the northwest bank of the Narrows 14 June. Apparently all of the GREAT BLUE HERON chicks fledged about 2 weeks ago. A male RUDDY DUCK in breeding plumage flew into the main channel last Wednesday. Also on wed 24June a ROCK WREN on the west side of Clark's Canyon, and a COMMON GROUND DOVE in Johnson Bay. A female WOOD DUCK has been seen several times along the south shore across from Arrowhead Island; a male WOODIE in eclipse plumage has been on Storke Flat hiding among the MALLARDS. 41 subadult COMMON MERGANSERs were seen at the mouth of Clark Canyon wed 24Jun and several more were seen at Storke and Santa Cruz Bay. We've been seeing the adult BALD EAGLES pretty regularly and Liz saw the pair sitting at one of their regular perches west of the Intake Friday evening. This is very early in the season to be seeing them perched together; it's usually late August or early September. WILD PIGS have been seen several times at the marsh on the north end of Lone Star/Santa Barbara Ranch. A WHIMBREL, CASPIAN TERN, & 2 FORSTER'S TERNS were seen yesterday evening at Storke Flat . 7 more CASPIAN TERNS were fishing at the East End and along the Narrows. Dianna and Don Ricky had two BLACK-CHINNED HUMMERS at the Nature Center feeders this morning. One of the Ranger's saw a large MOUNTAIN LION stalking 2 does on the west bank of Johnson Bay yesterday at about noon. The does ran off over the ridge with the Mountain Lion after them... We saw a BEAVER swimming in Cachuma Bay this morning. Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday June 15 - Sunday June 28, 2009 Mostly sightings by Liz Mason and Melissa Kelly Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Ardea alba Mute Swan Cygnus olor Wood Duck Aix sponsa Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Gadwall Anas strepera Common Merganser Mergus merganser Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Osprey Pandion haliaetus Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus California Quail Callipepla californica Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo American Coot Fulica americana Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata Great Horned Owl Buboo virginianus White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Black-chinned Hummingbird Aarchilochus alexandri Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis House Wren Troglodytes aedon Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus Wrentit Chamaea fasciata Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana American Robin Turdus migratorius California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus California Towhee Pipilo crissalis Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis House Sparrow Passer domesticus 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: Indigo Bunting at Santa Maria's newest park From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:14:53 -0000 All: Today was the grand opening of the newest City of Santa Maria park. It is not in Santa Maria but is in the rural Orcutt area on Dominion Road. It is going to be used as a dump (solid waste ) , but right now, they are allowing recreating, horse-riding, biking, etc. I went into Orcutt and did some shopping. I came out east on Clark Ave, and on a whim, I went to the park. Half way from Clark Avenue south to the park on Dominion was three Yellow-billed Magpies! Where were they on magpie day? The area is an old brown-field, and today was hot and very dry. I was not expecting much birdlife at 2:00 p.m. on June 27, 2009. You must sign a waiver to walk the trails because they do not want to be sued. Just as I left the trailer after signing my life away, a flock of 6 birds flew over my head. It was a small flock of Lazuli Buntings. They landed in two elderberry bushs and started eating. One bird, the closest of the birds was not a Lazuli but an Indigo Bunting! I of course had taken the car with the scope but not the camera. I walked the Watershed Trail that went by an old homestead? Planted there were a lot of eucalyptus and pepper trees and a gigantic Modesto Ash tree, there were not many birds there but looks like a good place during migration or winter. At the end of the trail was an interesting canyon filled with Oak trees and a Cottonwood. Maybe a good place for owls? I heard a Grasshopper Sparrow at the end of this trial. I look forward to birding the other trails. http://www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/3083-LosFloresRanchTrailMap.pdf . Mark Brown Santa Maria Subject: White-eyed Vireo From: "Andy Lazere" <alazere1 AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:13:00 -0000 The White-eyed Vireo was very vocal this AM from 0700-0745 on Phelps in the willows. It came down to within 15 feet for great views. Andy Lazere Subject: fall mgrants From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:00:07 -0500 All: The first return migrants are showing up at Devereux. Last night I had a dowitcher and a peep in poor light. This morning there were 5 Western Sandpipers and 2 Greater Yellowlegs that were certainly new arrivals. Willets have been trickling back for a week or more with a season high 7 today. The 20 summering Semipalmated Plovers remain (and there doubtless 4 Whimbrel still around on the beach). The Dune pond is dried out and the Los Carneros/Mesa wetland is almost dried out. Devereux has a week or two at most. It's going to be a pretty shorebird migration locally. Nick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White Eyed Vireo From: "Ria Marsh" <rrsmarsh AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:51:45 -0700 Could I hear from any of you who are planning to go looking for the White Eyed Vireo over the weekend so that I could meet you out there. I would appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks, Ria Marsh rrsmarsh AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Santa Maria River Mouth From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:50:41 -0700 I counted 23 American White Pelicans in the Santa Maria River estuary this morning. No other birds of note, and the only shorebirds were Long-billed Curlews, Whimbrels and a few Snowy Plovers. Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: WeVi in Goleta From: Rebecca <rfcsb AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:42:03 -0700 The White-eyed Vireo continued on Mesa Rd. this morning at 8:30, in the same general area as before. It sang its explosive, raspy song intermittently--with loud competition from the heavy equipment working nearby, MTD buses and trash trucks. Urban birding at its best. Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara Subject: RE: Thursday birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:32:21 -0500 All: Last Saturday, I had a juv Peregrine at Refugio. I am guessing they are nesting somewhere in the Santa Ynez mountains. Nick ________________________________ From: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Hugh Ranson Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:30 AM To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [sbcobirding] Thursday birds The White-eyed Vireo continues. I listened from 8-8:20, and during that time it was silent but did give a couple of quick looks. Noteworthy birds at Devereux include an adult Peregrine, which snatched a bird (Cliff Swallow, I believe) from a telephone wire. There was a young White-tailed Kite at the north-west end of the slough. HughR. SB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Thursday birds From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:29:35 -0700 The White-eyed Vireo continues. I listened from 8-8:20, and during that time it was silent but did give a couple of quick looks. Noteworthy birds at Devereux include an adult Peregrine, which snatched a bird (Cliff Swallow, I believe) from a telephone wire. There was a young White-tailed Kite at the north-west end of the slough. HughR. SB Subject: Osprey at LLC From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:47:38 -0000 At about 5:30 an Osprey made several passes over Lake Los Carneros. It kited a few times but I didn't see it enter the water. It perched in a pine for a few miniutes then flew out of sight to the south. About 30 minutes earlier a Cockatiel made some circles over the east side of the lake then flew west out of sight. Adam Lewis Goleta Subject: A few observations From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:24:55 -0000 Nothing rare but thought I'd report some sightings from Tuesday. There was a gathering of 45-50 egrets across from the south pullout at Devereux. Most were Snowys with a smaller number of Greats. It seemed rather sudden as they were not there 2 days ago. All were gone when I returned after dark. At Lake Los Carneros the Cooper's Hawk is still feeding the young ones. None were out of the nest as far as I could tell. Four white-tailed kites were seen: 3 together in a conifer south of the dam and one adult about 100 yards east. The 3 together looked as though they retained a little of the buffy color of a juvenile. While we were walking down the path to see the adult Roger Millikan and I flushed 15-20 doves. They didn't all emerge at once but in small groups as we walked the path. IMHO they're most likely Eurasian Collared Doves although the 2 I photographed had paler looking primaries and a weak neck band. Comparing to illustrations in Sibley indicates these to be juveniles. I didn't get a good look at the undertail coverts for comparison to Ringed Turtle Doves but the range maps make it seem unlikely. Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbfledgling/sets/72157620479363984/show/ Adam Lewis Goleta Subject: Re: White-eyed Vireo recording song From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:41:37 -0000 I used similar tactic on several birds [including WEVI way back in the '80's that summered in Goleta], using their own song recorded while they were some distance away (or like that earlier WEVI just singing around a territory it used all summer), played back the mediocre recordings, which enticed them closer, and then got better/great recordings, and if lucky enough, some fine photo documentation as well. That way the bird is only responding to itself, and not some other bird. Kind of like echo locating oneself ;-). The White-eyed vireo has one of the strangest set of variation in its "song" and should not be missed if you get a chance to hear it! - Jim Greaves --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "jared.dawson40" wrote: > > Kathleen and I had brief looks and singing at noon today (23rd), in the willows as reported before. It was all quiet until I played its song quite briefly, which caused an immediate reaction. I was able to record it despite a lot of background noise. > Jared Dawson > Santa Barbara > Subject: RFI: PA Birders FIRST Visit to CAþþ, Y-B Magpies? From: Jeffery Davis <jwdjwd67 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:29:10 -0400 My wife Amy and I will be making our first ever birding trip to California (My first trip west of Pittsburgh!) in the beginning of July (7-11) and we would love some help with some good birding spots and/or recommendations on good books. We will fly in to Las Vegas and then drive to Placentia (Orange County) where we will be staying with family. We figured we would try and focus on CA Specialties that we wouldn't get elsewhere, say from a trip to AZ, but basically everything that is not an east coast bird will be a lifer to me unless it is in one of the east coast rarities we have been lucky enough to see (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffamy/sets/72157611025101702/). So far we are planning to visit the Salton Sea, the zzyzx desert studies center and take a trip to Santa Cruz Island. One bird we really would love to see is a Yellow-billed Magpie. Help on this front would be greatly appreciated. Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Flammulated Owl and Vaux's Swift and any other more northern West Coast birding locations would also be interest to us. Thank you all very much in advance. :) regards, jeff davis Downingtown, PA Checkout our bird photos at the link below: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffamy/ "Birding Like I Have Six Months To Live" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Vireo-- yes, Parula--no From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:28:17 -0700 This morning I checked a few spots in Goleta. I walked Atascadero Creek between Turnpike and Patterson--pretty quiet. The White-eyed Vireo was singing frequently at his usual spot, despite lots of trucks and equipment moving around just to the east of the willows-- apparently a habitat restoration project is beginning. Goleta Beach held 20 Caspian Terns. Hugh R. SB Subject: Re: White-eyed Vireo From: "jared.dawson40" <jared.dawson40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:33:48 -0000 Kathleen and I had brief looks and singing at noon today (23rd), in the willows as reported before. It was all quiet until I played its song quite briefly, which caused an immediate reaction. I was able to record it despite a lot of background noise. Jared Dawson Santa Barbara Subject: Re: Vireo? From: Robert Lindsay <capnbob AT sbceo.org> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:16:08 -0700 WEVI seen at about 7:30 am (on my fifth try). Rob Lindsay Subject: Vireo? From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:18:43 -0700 Anyone look/listen for the White-eyed Vireo today? Hugh R. SB Subject: N. Parula From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:38:09 -0700 At 7:30 this morning there was a N. Parula singing along Atascadero Creek in Goleta. It was on the south side of the creek, where San Marcos Rd dead ends. This is just east of the S bend and west of Turnpike. When I left the creek at 8:15 the bird was still singing but farther to the south i.e. away from the creek. There was a splendid male Blue Grosbeak at the S bend. Hugh R. SB Subject: Friday Bird Walk June 26 From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:18:05 -0000 Farren Road Friday June 26, 2009 Leader: Jack Sanford Target Birds: Hummingbirds, kingbirds, flycatchers, sparrows and Blue Grosbeaks Directions: From SB area take Hwy 101 north to approximately 1 mile past the Winchester Canyon Road exit. Exit Hwy 101 (towards the mountains) and turn left on Calle Real and go west for about 300 yards to Farren Rd. We will meet at the beginning of Farren Rd at 8:30am. Please call Bird Walk leader Jack Sanford 566-2191 or email at jacksanford AT hotmail.com if you have questions. Adam Lewis for the SBAS Subject: SBAS Lecture Wednesday Evening June 24 From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:13:19 -0000 Title: Offshore Oil Platforms As Fish Habitats Speaker: Dr. Milton Love Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 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 For the past 14 years, Milton (only his wife calls him Dr. Love) has investigated the role that offshore oil and gas platforms might play as fish habitats. The results of this research have made him at least mildly unpopular with some members of the environmental community, which is ironic because that is the side of street upon which he normally frolics. Come join us and listen as Milton purveys his results and see if he winds up being mildly unpopular with you. Dr. Milton Love is a research biologist at the Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara. He has been investigating the marine fishes of southern California for over 40 years and has published over 50 publications on their ecology and behavior. Proving that you can fool some of the people all of the time, in 2007 he was awarded the Carl R. Sullivan Award for Conservation of Fishery Resources by the American Fisheries Society. Adam Lewis for the SBAS Subject: Baird's Sandpiper at SMRE 6/21/09 From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:44:46 -0000 All: I was photographing Sanderlings at the SMRE and looking at the only breeding plumaged "Sanderling" in my pictures I am pretty sure it is a Baird's. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/3651581013 . A photo of a Sanderling: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/3652378680 . Lehman has a June 18, 1980 record he describes as out-of-season. I am working on seeing Baird's in all twelve months. Regards, Mark Brown Santa Maria Subject: UCSB Campus Vireo From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:49:03 -0700 No, not THAT Vireo (the White-eyed Vireo)--at noontime today, I had a Warbling Vireo working the willows in the Old Gym wetlands on campus. I tried to make it into something more interesting, but no luck. However, it's unusual to see this species at that location in late June, though it's regular there as a spring and fall migrant. This morning on the way into campus, the two over-summering Ross's Geese flew out of the mobile home park and across highway 217 before circling back into the trailers. Florence Sanchez Subject: WEVI Contunues at 7:00AM Monday From: "David Levasheff" <dj_levasheff AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:39:54 -0000 The White-eyed Vireo came out with the slighest encouragement from Roger Milikin's iPod. After his show he flew into the Large dark green tree directly across from bldg 758. Subject: Re: Some photos of White-Eyed Vireo From: "Alex R. Abela" <thebuzz90 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:55:33 -0000 I've posted some more photos of the White-eyed Vireo at UCSB family housing from Saturday, June 20 to my flickr account. As Dianna said, it was really challenging to photograph. It spent most of its time near the center of the trees and seemed to have an uncanny ability to hop away as soon as it was in focus. Thanks to everyone who helped track it down. http://www.flickr.com/photos/78394132 AT N00/sets/72157620088661905/ Alex R. Abela Goleta, CA --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "dianna.ricky" wrote: > > Thank you, Nick, for alerting us to the White-Eyed Vireo. When we droved towards the described location at 5:30 we knew exactly where it was by the crowd of about 8 or more birders aiming binoculars into the bushes. We heard the vireo singing loudly. However, after a while it stopped singing for quite a while, but Alex Abela asked me if I had a recording, which I did, and upon playing it for a moment, the bird responded immediately and we were able to locate it again. It was very challenging to photograph, but I did manage to catch these few shots. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/27856490 AT N08/sets/72157620031432478/show/ > > Dianna Ricky > Santa Barbara > Subject: White-eyed Vireo From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:04:27 -0700 I had point blank views at around 5 pm, but unfortunately my camera was not out of its case in time. Hugh R. SB Subject: a goatsucker and storm-petrels From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:48:07 -0000 All: Saturday evening June 20, 2009 I saw a pod of ~40 Black Storm-Petrels sitting just out past the waves at Guadalupe Beach. A steady but thin string of Sooty Shearwaters were flying south very close in also. In the estuary were some female Wilson's Phalaropes. At the Guadalupe Sewage complex, I had the male Bufflehead I have been seeing out there as well as a female Redhead with a messed up wing, and a breeding plumaged Common Moorhen, which is described as rare in summer in Lehman. Thursday evening I saw a Lesser Nighthawk on Foxen Canyon Road fairly close to known breeding spots. Regards, Mark Brown Santa Maria http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Subject: Eyes in the Sky Field Trips From: "Gabriele" <pelican7 AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:03:04 -0700 Hi everyone, I will be leading two field trips this Tuesday and Wednesday at Coal Oil Point. On Tuesday we'll have about 35-40 first through 3rd graders (from the Goleta Boys and Girls Club), and on Wednesday around 15 first through sixth graders from the downtown Boys and Girl's Club. They have been learning about seabird/shorebird families. We'd love to have you join us. Tuesday: 9:15 AM at Coal Oil Point Parking lot Wednesday: 9:45 AM at same place Gabriele Drozdowski Eyes in the Sky Program Director Santa Barbara Audubon 805-898-0347 eyes-in-the-sky AT cox.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: WEVI continues From: "evostevensb" <gaulin AT anth.ucsb.edu> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:36:07 -0000 Thanks Nick! The WEVI was easily heard and then seen at about 6:30 AM today, precisely where previously recorded (in the willow row across Mesa Road from building 758). Characteristically, the bird is pretty active and likes to forage in fairly dense cover but he did sit up to sing and preen for short periods. Good luck everyone. Steven Gaulin Goleta Subject: WEVI Photo's From: Evan Caves <evan AT occamnetworks.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:26:47 -0700 Well I really thought that the few photos of the White-eyed Vireo glimpses that most of us had were going to be front or back focused on the surrounding foliage or incredibly back lite and I wasn't even going to bother looking at them. Frankly I wasn't even going to count this as a county/life bird as I wasn't really sure I got a really good look at it, however... http://www.flickr.com/photos/27871626 AT N08/sets/72157620034189874/show/ Cheers, evan - Subject: Some photos of White-Eyed Vireo From: "dianna.ricky" <proscript.inc AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:46:11 -0000 Thank you, Nick, for alerting us to the White-Eyed Vireo. When we droved towards the described location at 5:30 we knew exactly where it was by the crowd of about 8 or more birders aiming binoculars into the bushes. We heard the vireo singing loudly. However, after a while it stopped singing for quite a while, but Alex Abela asked me if I had a recording, which I did, and upon playing it for a moment, the bird responded immediately and we were able to locate it again. It was very challenging to photograph, but I did manage to catch these few shots. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27856490 AT N08/sets/72157620031432478/show/ Dianna Ricky Santa Barbara Subject: White-eyed Vireo still there From: Oscar Johnson <henicorhina AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:33:58 -0700 (PDT) I saw the White-eyed Vireo this afternooon around 6 pm in the spot previously described by Nick. There were a few other people looking at it when I arrived and they were able to coax it closer with intermittent playback, but it was still skulking, and only singing occasionally. A few photos were obtained. Oscar Johnson Santa Barbara for the summer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Casual Observations in Goleta From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:30:41 -0000 Oops. The night heron referred to below is another young GBH. Captions have been updated. Adam > At Devereux one of the Red-tailed Hawk fledglings was accompanied by an adult. The juvy flew into a euc and grabbed some leaves without landing and ripped at them in flight. At first I thought it must have picked an animal from a branch but not so. > > The only shorebirds sighted along the Goleta beaches and at Goleta Slough was a group of 4 whimbrels at COPR near the outlet of Devereux Slough. About a dozen Caspian Terns were circling over the same spot. > > Three snowy Plover chicks have been rescued from an abandoned nest. The carteakers are waitng for them to fledge before letting them go. > > At Goleta Slough the GBH nests are almost all abandoned. I saw only 3 GBHs in the trees. A single young Night Heron was in a nest near a group of 9 Great Egrets, the last ones in nests. Most were juveniles with adults still coming by to feed them. The cormorants were just sitting on 9 nests. It doesn't look as though any have hatched yet. > > Images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbfledgling/sets/72157619888673981/show/ > > Adam Lewis > Goleta Subject: Re: White-eyed Vireo in Goleta From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:14:12 -0500 Correction in directions. The cross street with Los Carneros is Mesa, not Phelps.. ________________________________ From: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com To: 'sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com' Sent: Sat Jun 20 13:57:55 2009 Subject: [sbcobirding] White-eyed Vireo in Goleta All: I just found a WEVI along Phelps Road just W. of Los Carneros. Head S on Los Carneros from Hollister Road. Turn R on Phelps past the Wetlands. The road bends right after a 100 yards and then curves left. The bird is the willows and other tree on the right of the road - singing - before you reach building 758. Nick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White-eyed Vireo in Goleta From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:57:55 -0500 All: I just found a WEVI along Phelps Road just W. of Los Carneros. Head S on Los Carneros from Hollister Road. Turn R on Phelps past the Wetlands. The road bends right after a 100 yards and then curves left. The bird is the willows and other tree on the right of the road - singing - before you reach building 758. Nick Subject: Re: More Mesa - fledgling Cooper's Hawks From: Evan Caves <evan AT occamnetworks.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:55:01 -0700 There are four, branchers for about two weeks now...evan Lynn Watson wrote: > > > > I returned to More Mesa this afternoon, and walked in at the western > gate at the corner of Shoreline and Orchid. Walking past where the power > lines cross overhead over the path, I encountered Cooper's Hawks, of > which at least one, possibly two, were fledglings. I did not remain long > enough to count as I believe the adult was guiding the youngsters on > possibly a first flight - there was a lot of flying occurring among the > branches. I have added the pictures to the front of the More Mesa > slideshow, here: > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/deinandra/sets/72157619565004677/show/ > > > (A hint when viewing the Flickr sldieshow - turn the Options > Embiggen > checkbox off, otherwise images are stretched to fit the screen, and not > in proportion.) > > I also remembered where I had seen the Bay-breasted Warbler, aka mystery > bird. After entering at the west gate, pass two gas line signs, and then > some 70 paces from the second sign is an oak overhanging the path, where > the bird was photographed. This area may also be recognized by the large > nettle plants growing underneath the oak. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > Subject: Casual Observations in Goleta From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:07:56 -0000 At Devereux one of the Red-tailed Hawk fledglings was accompanied by an adult. The juvy flew into a euc and grabbed some leaves without landing and ripped at them in flight. At first I thought it must have picked an animal from a branch but not so. The only shorebirds sighted along the Goleta beaches and at Goleta Slough was a group of 4 whimbrels at COPR near the outlet of Devereux Slough. About a dozen Caspian Terns were circling over the same spot. Three snowy Plover chicks have been rescued from an abandoned nest. The carteakers are waitng for them to fledge before letting them go. At Goleta Slough the GBH nests are almost all abandoned. I saw only 3 GBHs in the trees. A single young Night Heron was in a nest near a group of 9 Great Egrets, the last ones in nests. Most were juveniles with adults still coming by to feed them. The cormorants were just sitting on 9 nests. It doesn't look as though any have hatched yet. Images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbfledgling/sets/72157619888673981/show/ Adam Lewis Goleta Subject: More Mesa - fledgling Cooper's Hawks From: Lynn Watson <nature.shutterbug AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:38:23 -0700 (PDT) I returned to More Mesa this afternoon, and walked in at the western gate at the corner of Shoreline and Orchid. Walking past where the power lines cross overhead over the path, I encountered Cooper's Hawks, of which at least one, possibly two, were fledglings. I did not remain long enough to count as I believe the adult was guiding the youngsters on possibly a first flight - there was a lot of flying occurring among the branches. I have added the pictures to the front of the More Mesa slideshow, here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deinandra/sets/72157619565004677/show/ (A hint when viewing the Flickr sldieshow - turn the Options > Embiggen checkbox off, otherwise images are stretched to fit the screen, and not in proportion.) I also remembered where I had seen the Bay-breasted Warbler, aka mystery bird. After entering at the west gate, pass two gas line signs, and then some 70 paces from the second sign is an oak overhanging the path, where the bird was photographed. This area may also be recognized by the large nettle plants growing underneath the oak. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: American Redstart continues. From: "Noah Gaines" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:01:33 -0000 Yesterday after work, 6/18/09, I was able to relocate the male AMerican Redstart at the Music Academy, near the large rectangular pool. The vireo was a no show, although there was a Bewick's Wren that sounded very similar. On 6/17/09, I checked the riparian area between More Mesa and the mitigation ponds and could not relocate the mystery warbler. THere were a lot of nice birds present: Yellow-breasted CHat, Swainson's THrush (singing), Black-headed Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, and a FLyover Green Heron. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara, CA Subject: Vireo-no, Redstart-yes From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:58:34 -0700 I spent a half hour listening for the White-eyed Vireo this morning with no success. There was a consolation prize, however: a singing American Redstart. The Redstart was on Music Academy property at the end of Monte Cristo. There is a gate you can walk through at the end of the street, and the bird was in trees around a fountain right next to the gate. Hugh R. SB Subject: Re: White-eyed Vireo From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:31:13 -0700 Did anyone refind this bird? I'm off this afternoon and after an appointment, would like to look for it. County bird for me. Thanks, Florence Sanchez --On Wednesday, June 17, 2009 4:05 PM -0700 Peter Gaede wrote: > > > > > > > Hi All -- > > George Roland IDed a WHITE-EYED VIREO earlier today by song behind the > Santa Barbara Cemetery and I was able to get a visual confirmation > about 15 minutes ago. > > I left the bird near the intersection of Channel Road and Monte Cristo > Lane near the Music Academy. Park at this intersection and walk down > Monte Cristo along the fence line to the north. It was in the dense > myoporum-type trees on the private side of the fence. Listen for it's > distinctive song -- a series of explosive clicks and buzz notes. > > Peter Gaede > Santa Barbara > > Subject: White-eyed Vireo From: Peter Gaede <pgaede AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:05:52 -0700 Hi All -- George Roland IDed a WHITE-EYED VIREO earlier today by song behind the Santa Barbara Cemetery and I was able to get a visual confirmation about 15 minutes ago. I left the bird near the intersection of Channel Road and Monte Cristo Lane near the Music Academy. Park at this intersection and walk down Monte Cristo along the fence line to the north. It was in the dense myoporum-type trees on the private side of the fence. Listen for it's distinctive song -- a series of explosive clicks and buzz notes. Peter Gaede Santa Barbara Subject: Re: Mystery bird location From: Evan Caves <evan AT occamnetworks.com> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:14:02 -0700 word of caution, lots of poison oak off trail and nesting raptors in this area so please take care evan - Lynn Watson wrote: > > > > Hi, > > Here is an image on Flickr with the approximate location shown as a > brightened polygon around the path. Looking at the sequence of my > photos, the mystery bird photos were taken about three minutes (walking > from the west entrance) before I arrived at a place where the power line > pole is visible - because I stopped to take photos of the Cooper's Hawk > on top of the power line pole. It was not from directly beneath the > pole, as I approached closer before taking more photos of the Hawk. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/deinandra/3633478532/ > > > Click on the enlarge icon to see a larger view of the map. > > Lynn Watson > SB. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > Subject: Mystery bird location From: Lynn Watson <nature.shutterbug AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:19:15 -0700 (PDT) Hi, Here is an image on Flickr with the approximate location shown as a brightened polygon around the path. Looking at the sequence of my photos, the mystery bird photos were taken about three minutes (walking from the west entrance) before I arrived at a place where the power line pole is visible - because I stopped to take photos of the Cooper's Hawk on top of the power line pole.  It was not from directly beneath the pole, as I approached closer before taking more photos of the Hawk. http://www.flickr.com/photos/deinandra/3633478532/ Click on the enlarge icon to see a larger view of the map. Lynn Watson SB. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More Mesa mystery bird From: Lynn Watson <nature.shutterbug AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:46:09 -0700 (PDT) Hi All, Sorry for the late reply - am somewhat absorbed with work. I saw the bird somewhere along the main western path - I think this is the property of the Flood Control District. It was probably close to where the power/telephone?  lines extend from More Mesa all the way to Walnut Avenue. I think it was pretty close to where the end of Shoreline Drive is marked on Google maps. I will try to add a map to my Flickr photos in a little while, with a link. Lynn Watson SB. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Poss. Bay-breast location? From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:36:24 -0700 Where at More Mesa was the bird seen? I'd like to take a look, but More Mesa is a big place. HughR. SB Subject: Re: Mystery Bird- Possible Bay-breasted Warbler From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:03:22 -0000 Nothing specific really- just "not quite sure" by the two photos. Maybe a hybrid or exotic. I don't think anyone else has really obsessed over this like I have. I felt there was probably enough of the bird visible in the photos to ID it. A search of female Bay-breasted Warbler photos on the net shows just how variable they can be when transitioning from 1st year to second year and I didn't see what else it could be. It wasn't clear exactly where the photo was taken until Lynn replied with More Mesa. It was then I thought it should be posted as a possibility so it could be looked for again. Bay-breasted Warbler is quite the rarity in spring. Initially this was late last week and since then I have been to three graduation ceremonies (one out of town) and suffered a hard PC crash so I haven't been able to get the word out as soon as I would have liked (with apologies). If anyone happens to locate it please post to the group. Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "sbtechmy" wrote: > > Jamie, What else is being proposed as a candidate? The strong wing bar, posture and feeding behavior, overall coloration, and especially the bayish colors on flanks and upper breast all look good. Thanks, Ron Hirst SB > > > --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Jamie Chavez" wrote: > > > > I recently commented on a mystery bird photo taken by Lynn Watson on June 11 in More Mesa. She had posted a couple of shots of this unknown bird on her Flickr site so I tried my hand at identifying it. The only possibility I could come up with after looking at it for a day or two was a female-type Bay-breasted Warbler. I asked a couple birders to offer their opinion, and while no one is absolutely certain about the ID given the two photos, comments do point toward Bay-breasted Warbler as a likely candidate. Just in case the bird remains and someone wants to try and find it I thought I should pass this along. Maybe Lynn can provide specific directions to the area it was seen. I am not familiar with More Mesa. I have added these photos along with two lightened copies in the sbcobirding Flickr pool for comments. > > > > http://www.flickr.com/groups/sbcobirding/ > > > > Jamie Chavez > > Santa Maria, CA > > > Subject: Lots of Male Tricolored Blackbirds on Lompoc Southside From: "Paul G. Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:16:57 -0700 This morning, June 16th around 6 am, there were 18 male Tricolored Blackbirds on the Southside of Lompoc. They were on the wires south of old Mission La Purisima off South G St. The numbers have increased continually in the month of June. Paul Rosso Lompoc, CA Cell: 805-588-4320 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Mystery Bird- Possible Bay-breasted Warbler From: "sbtechmy" <sbtech AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:13:35 -0000 Jamie, What else is being proposed as a candidate? The strong wing bar, posture and feeding behavior, overall coloration, and especially the bayish colors on flanks and upper breast all look good. Thanks, Ron Hirst SB --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Jamie Chavez" wrote: > > I recently commented on a mystery bird photo taken by Lynn Watson on June 11 in More Mesa. She had posted a couple of shots of this unknown bird on her Flickr site so I tried my hand at identifying it. The only possibility I could come up with after looking at it for a day or two was a female-type Bay-breasted Warbler. I asked a couple birders to offer their opinion, and while no one is absolutely certain about the ID given the two photos, comments do point toward Bay-breasted Warbler as a likely candidate. Just in case the bird remains and someone wants to try and find it I thought I should pass this along. Maybe Lynn can provide specific directions to the area it was seen. I am not familiar with More Mesa. I have added these photos along with two lightened copies in the sbcobirding Flickr pool for comments. > > http://www.flickr.com/groups/sbcobirding/ > > Jamie Chavez > Santa Maria, CA > Subject: Mystery Bird- Possible Bay-breasted Warbler From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:00:28 -0000 I recently commented on a mystery bird photo taken by Lynn Watson on June 11 in More Mesa. She had posted a couple of shots of this unknown bird on her Flickr site so I tried my hand at identifying it. The only possibility I could come up with after looking at it for a day or two was a female-type Bay-breasted Warbler. I asked a couple birders to offer their opinion, and while no one is absolutely certain about the ID given the two photos, comments do point toward Bay-breasted Warbler as a likely candidate. Just in case the bird remains and someone wants to try and find it I thought I should pass this along. Maybe Lynn can provide specific directions to the area it was seen. I am not familiar with More Mesa. I have added these photos along with two lightened copies in the sbcobirding Flickr pool for comments. http://www.flickr.com/groups/sbcobirding/ Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA Subject: Daytime Owling From: "Matt V." <fickity AT netscape.net> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:06:19 -0000 Greetings! I did some Birding today along Refugio Rd. that turned out to be a daytime owling trip! First, I met Wes Fritz and together we drove along the Santa Ynez side of Refugio Rd. Wes was kind enough to point out the day roosts of 2 WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS. Fret not, both of their chosen locales are secure behind a sturdy barbed wire fence! Later on my own, I hit the other side of Refugio Rd over by the ocean. I was looking for Barn Owls in the cave in the cliffs, when an odd call drew my attention. Although it sounded like a Pied-billed Grebe, I eventually discovered a young GREAT HORNED OWL making the sounds. Photos from today, and many more from the weekend can be found on my Picasa site. By Wed., I will be adding new Herps and Butterfly images, so check back if you like that stuff!! -- 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: Weekend Birds--Photos From: "dianna.ricky" <proscript.inc AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:45:21 -0000 Here are a few photos highlighting the Coopers Hawk chicks at Stow House/Lake Los Carneros and the recently fledged Red-Tailed Hawks at Devereux taken on Saturday, 06/13, and Bald-Eagle A-35 at the Santa Barbara Cemetery from Sunday. We first saw her for a few moments Sunday morning in a cypress tree on the bluffs near large the pillared monument, but she flew out of sight into another tree on the bluffs before I could photograph her. We went out of town for the day, and upon returning around 4:45 stopped at the cemetery again and found her high in a eucalyptus tree on the southern edge of the cemetery overlooking the bluffs. To view these pictures in a larger screen, click on "full screen" at the top left. http://picasaweb.google.com/proscript.inc/June1415WeekendBirds#5347603166694273010 Dianna Ricky Santa Barbara Subject: Eastern Kingbird 6/14/09 Sisquoc/Garey area From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:17:39 -0000 All: Yesterday evening I heard a weird call in the yard like this: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Kingbird/sounds . I did not recognize it. A little while later I got some far off pictures of an Eastern Kingbird. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Pretty bad but identifiable. It had white at the end of a dark tail and white going all the way up to the throat. Almost all the records for the north county are from late spring/summer except one from Ocean Park in September. Almost all records for the south coast are from fall except a May 30 2007 from the SB Airport. This is on private property and the bird was a flyby. Mark Brown Santa Maria Subject: A few additions to David's post From: "jared.dawson40" <jared.dawson40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:25:16 -0000 As the Audubon trip leader on Saturday at Hollister Ranch, I thought I should add a few things to David's post, as well as congratulating him on his fine set of photos. I made the call on the Willow Flycatcher and happy with the photos and the ID, but am always glad for any confirmation when it comes to Empidonax FCs. And in the complete lack of vocalization, how do we know it is not an Alder, except for range? We don't. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak was, in contrast, a steady singer. Also of note was a single Western Kingbird, which is unusual along the coast in summer. This trip is made annually, sponsored by Audubon, by special arrangement with the Hollister Ranch, open to a maximum of 25 people. To see the difference some water would make, we went over later in the day just north of Nojoqui Park, and in one spot enjoyed multiple Western Wood-pewees, Yellow Warblers, Warbling Vireos, and Pacific-Slope Flycatchers, which were absent from our walk at the ranch. Jared Dawson Santa Barbara Subject: Hollister Ranch Trip 6/13/09 From: "David Levasheff" <dj_levasheff AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:14:47 -0000 We had a great trip, weather was beautiful. Highlights of the trip was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Willow Flycatcher. We SAW Wrentits galore, lots of CA Thrashers as well as the usual suspects. Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23243079 AT N05/sets/72157619660556621/ Subject: More Mesa birds From: Lynn Watson <nature.shutterbug AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:03:39 -0700 (PDT) http://natureshutterbug.com/wordpress/2009/06/12/more-mesa-kites-hawk-owl-youngsters-toxic-weed/ An important note from the post: The (More Mesa) June news also contains important information about the community plan for the unincorporated portion of Goleta, and how people who live in the area, can make their voices heard. These decisions could have an impact on the bird life in Goleta. Please see link below. http://www.moremesa.org/mesa_news_cur.html Amongst other things, such as restoration that will ultimately help bird life, kids learning about birds at Coal Oil Point and other nature activities at CCBER - http://natureshutterbug.com/wordpress/2009/06/12/ccber-flourishing/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birds of Santa Barbara, California to be auctioned From: Mark Holmgren <maholmgren AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:53:52 -0700 (PDT) For the last time UCSB’s Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration will donate one new copy of Paul Lehman’s The Birds of Santa Barbara,California for bid at the Environmental Defense Center’s 16th Annual Auction and Environmental Hero Awards. This event will be held at Stow House (Lake Los Carneros) this Sunday at 2pm. To learn more about the event, see http://www.edcnet.org/SupportPages/events.html. The EDC has provided some important benefits to the birding community. They litigated to list Snowy Plover and Willow Flycatcher.EDC’s insistence on complete studies for the Lompoc Wind Turbine Project, its defense of San Marcos Foothills, and it efforts to secure Ellwood Mesa are three of many examples. We owe them a lot. I hope to see some of you there on Sunday. (Jackson Browne will perform.) Mark Holmgren Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Young Green heron From: "nlameijer" <nlameijer AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:19:10 -0000 Yesterday in the Carp Salt marsh I saw a young Green Heron (at the new bridge). Clearly just left the nest a week or so ago. good to see they like it in the Slat Marsh!! Niels Carpinteria Subject: BC Night Heron nests From: "sbtechmy" <sbtech AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:37:39 -0000 There is a good size rookery in a few trees at the Los Banos pool next to the SB Harbor. I saw a few juveniles last week and this morning saw about 15 nests and 20 branchers/nestlings. The pool is drained this year and maybe that's probably why the birds are flourishing. Regards, Ron Hirst SB Subject: Brant (?) at Carp Creek lagoon From: "Daniel" <itsdaniel AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:52:17 -0000 I saw what I think is a juvenile Brant at the Carp Creek lagoon south of the campground road bridge on 6/7, 6/8, and 6/9. Sorry I couldn't post sooner. Hopefully, it's still there and someone can verify the ID. Daniel Gant Carpinteria Subject: Devereux Ibis From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:47:21 -0500 All: There were 3 adult WF Ibis at Devereux this evening. Caspian Terns reached 58. There has been an influx of Greater Yellowlegs recently with now 5 birds on the slough. Also present were the summering Semipalmated Plovers (15) and a Black-bellied Plover. Nick Lethaby System Platforms Software Product Manager Texas Instruments 805 562 5106 nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Odd Scrub Jay at Waller park From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:32:44 -0000 Mark - Over the years, I've seen birds with rusty and other colors on them (yellow-headed Bushtits that made me pause), that turned out to be from some plants (cottonwood sap on Least vireos and a couple other species, for example, are rusty; yellow and black, cottonwood). I could not get much from your photo, but could it be from something in the park? - Jim Greaves --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Mark Brown" wrote: > > All: > > Yesterday June 9, 2009 I saw an odd Scrub-Jay at Waller Park in Santa Maria. It had an extensive amount of rust color on the abdomen. Has anyone else ever seen this? I got a far off picture: > http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/3614844720/sizes/o/ . > Which sort of looks like the type illustration of a bird from Monterey California grabbed on the Voyage of Beechey. > http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchdetail.cfm?trg=1&strucID=219048&imageID=408319&total=46&num=0&parent_id=217682&word=&s=¬word=&d=&c=&f=&k=0&sScope=&sLevel=&sLabel=&lword=&lfield=&imgs=20&pos=6&snum=&e=w . (I hope that long url translates!) > This bird gave me a start, I cannot ever remember seeing a bird like this. > > Mark Brown > Santa Maria > Subject: Audubon Society Friday Bird Walk June 12 From: "sbfledgling" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:38:23 -0000 Location: Atascadero Creek at S. Patterson Ave. Friday, June 12, 2009 8:30 – 10:30 Leader: David Levasheff Target Birds: Water Birds, song bird & raptors Directions: From Hwy 101 take the Patterson Ave. off ramp and head towards the ocean. Park in the dirt area near the Atascadero Creek bridge. Adam Lewis for the SBAS Subject: Odd Scrub Jay at Waller park From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:34:58 -0000 All: Yesterday June 9, 2009 I saw an odd Scrub-Jay at Waller Park in Santa Maria. It had an extensive amount of rust color on the abdomen. Has anyone else ever seen this? I got a far off picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/3614844720/sizes/o/ . Which sort of looks like the type illustration of a bird from Monterey California grabbed on the Voyage of Beechey. http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchdetail.cfm?trg=1&strucID=219048&imageID=408319&total=46&num=0&parent_id=217682&word=&s=¬word=&d=&c=&f=&k=0&sScope=&sLevel=&sLabel=&lword=&lfield=&imgs=20&pos=6&snum=&e=w . (I hope that long url translates!) This bird gave me a start, I cannot ever remember seeing a bird like this. Mark Brown Santa Maria Subject: LLC LEAST BITTERN, Parula no From: "Matt V." <fickity AT netscape.net> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:14:47 -0000 Greetings! Dropped by LLC tonight at 515pm and immediately heard a LEAST BITTERN calling emphatically as I approached the bridge. For the next 45 min, the Bittern called constantly as I tried in vain to peg a location. My best guess is that at 6pm when I left the LEAST BITTERN was calling from the near shore directly downslope from the Cooper's Hawk nest. Good luck getting a visual!! I called Alex Abela to report the Bittern. He related that the Parula was NOT SEEN from 5-6pm at Devereaux. Photos from my trip to Santa Cruz Island are up!! Birds, Salamanders, Butterflies all in the respective folders on Picasa... -- 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: Devereux No. Parula From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 14:44:27 -0700 (PDT) Hugh Ranson asked me to post a message saying that he just now (2;40pm Tuesday) had a singing Northern Parula at Devereux, near the entrance to Devereux School. This is the second turn on the left as you drive south from the northernmost pullout along Devereux Rd. It's an area with Eucalyptus and cypress.   Dave Compton Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]