Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Santa Barbara County > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 05:08 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Mountain Plover,©David Sibley

20 Nov birding Fri. a.m., Nov. 20 ["Joan Lentz" ] 20 Nov novice birder ["elcarpentiero" ] 19 Nov No Rusty this afternoon ["Wes Fritz" ] 19 Nov Re: Rusty Blackbird refound [Hugh Ranson ] 20 Nov regarding Rusty Blackbird relocation ["matt v" ] 20 Nov WW Scoters ["kylebraunger" ] 19 Nov Canvasback ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 19 Nov UCSB Campus notes--Horned Lark [Florence Sanchez ] 19 Nov Re: Rusty Blackbird refound [Dave Compton ] 19 Nov Rusty Blackbird refound ["WK" ] 19 Nov Another Summer Tanager ["kylebraunger" ] 18 Nov UCSB Lagoon Nov.18 Red-throated Loon ["Yuji" ] 18 Nov RE: birding Wed. a.m., Nov. 18 ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 18 Nov birding Wed. a.m., Nov. 18 ["Joan Lentz" ] 18 Nov Rusty Blackbird: NO ["Noah" ] 18 Nov Continuing Canvasback ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 18 Nov RE: Lake Cachuma/ Le Cumre Peak ["Kelly, Melissa" ] 18 Nov Lake Cachuma/ Le Cumre Peak ["Wes Fritz" ] 17 Nov RE: Price of Petrel ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 17 Nov Re: Price of Petrel [Mr Zalophus ] 17 Nov Reporting Oiled Birds ["jlbulk" ] 16 Nov Santa Maria ["Wes Fritz" ] 16 Nov Price of Petrel [Hugh Ranson ] 16 Nov UCSB Campus notes [Florence Sanchez ] 16 Nov Snow Geese at Santa Ynez River Mouth ["Paul G. Rosso" ] 16 Nov Birding Goleta 11/16 ["milleniummaggs" ] 16 Nov Devereux Canvasback and Pac Loon ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 16 Nov More Mesa Nov 15 ["Yuji" ] 15 Nov Armour Ranch Rd 15 Nov 09 [Mark Holmgren ] 15 Nov Lake Los Carneros [Mark Holmgren ] 15 Nov Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday November 9 - Sunday November 15, 2009 ["Kelly, Melissa" ] 15 Nov Rusty Blackbird refound ["jared.dawson40" ] 15 Nov Lake Los Carneros [Alex Viduetsky ] 15 Nov Forgot to mention [Robert Lindsay ] 15 Nov Sunday Goleta Birds [Robert Lindsay ] 14 Nov Santa Ynez/Figuroa Mnt ["Wes Fritz" ] 14 Nov Pelagic trip on the Condor Express ["Wes Fritz" ] 14 Nov White-throated Sparrow [Hugh Ranson ] 14 Nov Saturday misc birds [Dave Compton ] 14 Nov Goleta highlights on 11-14 ["matt v" ] 14 Nov Rusty Blackbird at Costco [Robert Lindsay ] 14 Nov Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Preisker Park Santa Maria Nov. 13, 2009 ["markbrown1848" ] 13 Nov Solvang/Lompoc ["Wes Fritz" ] 13 Nov Birding at Lake Los Carneros Fri. a.m. ["Joan Lentz" ] 13 Nov Condor Express Trip - Good to Go Sunday the 15th ["toddamcgrath" ] 13 Nov Cambridge pines [Rebecca Fagan Coulter ] 13 Nov Condor Express Pelagic - Moved to Sunday the 15th ["toddamcgrath" ] 12 Nov Goleta ["Wes Fritz" ] 13 Nov Field Trip to Las Cruzitas Ranch Nov. 21 ["Adam" ] 12 Nov Goleta Bay ["kylebraunger" ] 12 Nov Nature Photography Contest [Rebecca Coulter ] 11 Nov buying binos [Eric Culbs ] 11 Nov Mountain Bluebird at Cachuma ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 11 Nov Friday Bird Walk at Stevens Park ["Adam" ] 11 Nov Barns Owls at Ocean Meadows Golf Course ["WK" ] 11 Nov Bird Refuge this a.m. ["Dianna" ] 10 Nov >>>Thread Closed<<< Re: LLC Lewis still around and a mystery bird/bunting. [Jamie Chavez ] 10 Nov Lompoc ["Wes Fritz" ] 10 Nov Re: LLC Lewis still around and a mystery bird/bunting. ["Wes Fritz" ] 11 Nov LLC Lewis still around and a mystery bird/bunting. ["nlameijer" ] 10 Nov WW Scoter, Cackling Goose ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 9 Nov LLC ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 8 Nov weekend birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 8 Nov Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday November 2 - Sunday November 8, 2009 ["Kelly, Melissa" ] 08 Nov NOT a Rough leg... ["matt v" ] 08 Nov Goleta Bay White-winged Scoter ["kylebraunger" ] 07 Nov Rough-legged Hawk, New Cuyama, Saturday at 10 a.m. ["Liz M" ] 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" ] Subject: birding Fri. a.m., Nov. 20 From: "Joan Lentz" <joanlentz AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:09:08 -0800 Hi All: This morning I birded with Rebecca Coulter & Krista Fahy. We met at the south Patterson bridge & walked Maria Ignacio Crk. upstream. In the willows right across from the little agricultural patch there, we heard 2 Chestnut-backed Chickadees. We walked around the east side of that ag. patch down the path by the houses (which front on to Glynne), saw lots of White-crowns, & had 3 American Pipits fly over, but that was about all. Then we went to the end of Coronado. At the "seep", it was quite birdy, best bird being the Hermit Warbler that Rebecca picked out. Then on to the "car wash" place, where there were birds coming down, but not as good as the seep. We did have a full adult male Allen's Hummingbird displaying in the bottlebrush there. Further on down the trail, just after crossing the creekbed, we hit a nice flock of warblers that contained 2 Chestnut-backed Chickadees and FIVE Golden-crowned Kinglets and the Brown Creeper that has been in the area for quite awhile. Then we had to go eat lunch because we're three Scorpios with birthdays!! Good birding! Joan Lentz Santa Barbara Subject: novice birder From: "elcarpentiero" <thomas AT starspath.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:05:08 -0000 I was working in Hope Ranch two days ago, at the northwest end near Vieja Valley School; I saw a bird I can't identify. It was somewhat dove shaped, an mostly of a light tobacco tan color, but as it perched on a limb I noted a bright crimson or vermillion band horizontal across its tail. It took off in flight, and the undersides of the wings were also orange or reddish-orange. Does anyone know what this bird might have been? Subject: No Rusty this afternoon From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:01:03 -0800 S.B. Birders, I missed the Rusty Blackbird this afternoon. I went to the school at 4:00 pm and the blackbird flock was gone. I did see it at lunch, eating some kind of snack chip thing. I drove around trying to find it at some near by locations, I saw a few birds of note. "The Bluffs" housing tract, across from Ellwood Elementary School. 1 Palm Warbler, was feeding by the large parking lot. Sandpiper Golf Course. 4 Cackling type geese 3 Hooded Mergansers Glenn Anne Golf Course. 1 Cackling type Goose 1 Greater White-fronted Goose Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Rusty Blackbird refound From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:42:54 -0800 I stopped by Ellwood School at 4 pm and not a blackbird to be seen. My guess is there won't be any there at the weekend, either. No kids dropping food=no blackbirds. I bet Costco would be worth another look come Saturday. Local schools are a bit paranoid these days. There have been several "lock downs" in recent months after suspicious people have been seen on campuses. And let's face it, we birders are a pretty suspicious looking bunch with our binoculars and cameras. A few years ago when I taught at Brandon School a neighbor called the school office when she saw me peering into a bottle brush tree in the car park. Hugh R. SB On Nov 19, 2009, at 12:10 PM, Dave Compton wrote: > Wes Fritz just called to tell me that Ellwood Elementary School has > made it very clear that birders looking for the Rusty Blackbird are > NOT welcome at the school between 7am and 4pm. Wes is hoping to > talk to the prinicipal to get more access, but please do not go > look for the bird there when students are present. > > Dave Compton > Santa Barbara > > --- On Thu, 11/19/09, WK wrote: > > From: WK > Subject: [sbcobirding] Rusty Blackbird refound > To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com > Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 9:59 AM > > I just got a call (10 am) from Matt who refound the female Rusty > Blackbird at the Ellwood Elementary School (7686 Hollister Ave). > It's with a group of Brewer's Blackbird near the bike rack and can > be seen from the street. > > - Wim > > ------------------------------------ > > For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http:// > www.sbcobirding.com > .. Yahoo! Groups Links > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com . Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sbcobirding/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sbcobirding/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: sbcobirding-digest AT yahoogroups.com sbcobirding-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: sbcobirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: regarding Rusty Blackbird relocation From: "matt v" <fickity AT netscape.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:41:33 -0000 Greetings! Wes asked about Blackbird roosts and flock movements the other day. I have not been avidly looking for the Rusty Blackbird at all since I was lucky enough to encounter it on Saturday at Costco. However, folks searching may wish to concentrate their efforts to the west. Wes told me he had scrubbed the areas to the east with no success... Today, my relocation was a total fluke. I was driving my work truck, and was stopped at the red light in front of the Ellwood School. The duration of the red light seemed to be quite long indeed, and thus my mind wandered and my eyes did too... Alongside my truck was a flock of Brewer's and therein the female RUSTY BLACKBIRD about 10 feet away! I accomplished this sighting without using optics, and thus did not alarm or distress the school personnel at all. It is understandable that they are protective of their children, and likely the flock will keep moving around to whatever areas they frequent during the day. If looking for this Bird don't give up! Check the Kmart Plaza, Recheck the Costco lot including McDonalds, Costco, Starbucks, go across to Albertsons, etc. Heck even the pool at Coronado may turn it up? Or perhaps you might even find the next rarity... Good Luck! MattV Subject: WW Scoters From: "kylebraunger" <kylebraunger AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:44:55 -0000 Two WW Scoters were off the west end of Goleta Beach this morning. Kyle Braunger Subject: Canvasback From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:17:48 -0600 The female Canvasback is still around at Devereux. It prefers sleeping in the pickleweed on the flooded island at the S. end, usually along with some Redheads. It is best picked out with a scope by it's pale gray body. I counted about 90+ Redhead today with 6 Lesser Scaup, 5 Ring-necked Ducks, and a Greater Scaup. Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: UCSB Campus notes--Horned Lark From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:40:42 -0800 Today at noontime, I found a Horned Lark in a dry vernal pool on the west-facing bluffs of the Manzanita Housing complex. The bird seemed to be absolutely alone. It eventually flushed and flew northeast, where it was rediscovered on the lawn next to the dorms. This is not a species I recall having found on campus before. This seems to be a good winter for Hermit Thrushes on campus. I hear 2-3 calling to each other from various pines when I arrive in the morning. I've also had single individuals in the Old Gym wetlands and at a couple of different places on the Manzanita housing bluffs. Today I heard a White-breasted Nuthatch calling from the pines just west of the Art Buildings. This species is not common on campus. One seems to show up from time to time and then leaves for several weeks or months before I hear or see another one. Florence Sanchez UCSB Subject: Re: Rusty Blackbird refound From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:10:29 -0800 (PST) Wes Fritz just called to tell me that Ellwood Elementary School has made it very clear that birders looking for the Rusty Blackbird are NOT welcome at the school between 7am and 4pm. Wes is hoping to talk to the prinicipal to get more access, but please do not go look for the bird there when students are present.   Dave Compton Santa Barbara --- On Thu, 11/19/09, WK wrote: From: WK Subject: [sbcobirding] Rusty Blackbird refound To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 9:59 AM I just got a call (10 am) from Matt who refound the female Rusty Blackbird at the Ellwood Elementary School (7686 Hollister Ave). It's with a group of Brewer's Blackbird near the bike rack and can be seen from the street. - Wim ------------------------------------ For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com .. Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rusty Blackbird refound From: "WK" <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:59:06 -0000 I just got a call (10 am) from Matt who refound the female Rusty Blackbird at the Ellwood Elementary School (7686 Hollister Ave). It's with a group of Brewer's Blackbird near the bike rack and can be seen from the street. - Wim Subject: Another Summer Tanager From: "kylebraunger" <kylebraunger AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:36:46 -0000 This one, presumed to be a different bird than Joan and her class saw this morning at Stow Grove Park, was seen this afternoon in an oak at the Al Turnbull Grove near Stow House. Other nearby sightings included the Lewis's Woodpecker, the C. Moorhen in the sw corner of LLC, and an ad. male Bullock's Oriole in the eucs. above the RR museum. Kyle Braunger Subject: UCSB Lagoon Nov.18 Red-throated Loon From: "Yuji" <gobi2goby AT yahoo.co.jp> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:57:22 -0000 I checked the lagoon during the lunch break today. There is a Red-throated Loon at north west part of UCSB lagoon(34.410831,-119.850454). Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/eugene2010/4115375011/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/eugene2010/4116142826/ Yuji Kozaki Subject: RE: birding Wed. a.m., Nov. 18 From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:44:43 -0600 All: Is there any evidence the Rusty Blackbird is still around? Nick ________________________________ From: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Joan Lentz Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 12:31 PM To: sbcobirding Subject: [sbcobirding] birding Wed. a.m., Nov. 18 Hi All: Today we birded Stow Grove Park in Goleta. It was very birdy, but all we could pull out was a SUMMER TANAGER that almost immediately seemed to bury itself in the magnolia tree at the corner of the cement pathway & the backyard that borders the park there. This is the tree w/ the red seeds in some of the pods, & should be watched since that's where we found the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker last year. Then, many of us went to Costco parking lot & searched pretty widely for the Rusty Black bird from 10-11:00 a.m. with NO luck. We need to really try to find out a pattern to this bird's movements. It's proving pretty hard to see. Good birding! Joan Lentz Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: birding Wed. a.m., Nov. 18 From: "Joan Lentz" <joanlentz AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:31:12 -0800 Hi All: Today we birded Stow Grove Park in Goleta. It was very birdy, but all we could pull out was a SUMMER TANAGER that almost immediately seemed to bury itself in the magnolia tree at the corner of the cement pathway & the backyard that borders the park there. This is the tree w/ the red seeds in some of the pods, & should be watched since that's where we found the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker last year. Then, many of us went to Costco parking lot & searched pretty widely for the Rusty Black bird from 10-11:00 a.m. with NO luck. We need to really try to find out a pattern to this bird's movements. It's proving pretty hard to see. Good birding! Joan Lentz Santa Barbara Subject: Rusty Blackbird: NO From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:52:53 -0000 Today 11/18/09, I birded the Costco parking lot before work, 6:45 to 7:35 and although I found many Brewer's, ~40, I could not relocate the Rusty. The birds ranged from COstco to the movie theatre. I also dipped on the bird last saturday. I arrived too late, 4:30, and could not find any blackbirds. Any updates regarding times and locations would be appreciated. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara, CA Subject: Continuing Canvasback From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:16:33 -0600 All: The female Canvasback was still present at Devereux this AM. The Redhead flock is up to 97 and 1-3 of the other aythya species are still with it. Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Lake Cachuma/ Le Cumre Peak From: "Kelly, Melissa" <mkelly AT co.santa-barbara.ca.us> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:34:48 -0800 Hey Wes, Thanks for the notes; lots of new stuff at the east end since Sunday. Where is the Turnbull pull out? Lis Assistant Naturalist Cachuma Lake County Park Santa Barbara County, CA 805.688-4515 ________________________________ From: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wes Fritz Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 12:49 AM To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [sbcobirding] Lake Cachuma/ Le Cumre Peak S.B. Birders, I birded around Lake Cachuma and then headed up to Le Cumbre Peak, birds of note are. Bradbury dam lookout. 16 Turkey Vultures 1 Osprey East Point. no birds of note Turnbull pull out 10 A. White pelicans the Mute Swan The East end lookout 20 Green-winged Teal 60 N. Shovelers 71 Canada Geese 37 A. White Pelicans 34 Dowitcher sp. 1 Horned Grebe Kiniven Road, very quiet. 1 Cooper's Hawk a few Junco's Le Cumbre Peak 2 Townsend's Solitaires 4 Mountain Chickadees 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet (heard only) 1 Hairy's Woodpecker 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 N. Flicker that had yellow under wings, it never stopped flying, so I don't know what it was. All in all, it was a pretty slow day of birding. The views were outstanding, you could see Point Conception, Santa Monica Mountains and most of the Channel Islands. It was way cool. Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Cachuma/ Le Cumre Peak From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:49:11 -0800 S.B. Birders, I birded around Lake Cachuma and then headed up to Le Cumbre Peak, birds of note are. Bradbury dam lookout. 16 Turkey Vultures 1 Osprey East Point. no birds of note Turnbull pull out 10 A. White pelicans the Mute Swan The East end lookout 20 Green-winged Teal 60 N. Shovelers 71 Canada Geese 37 A. White Pelicans 34 Dowitcher sp. 1 Horned Grebe Kiniven Road, very quiet. 1 Cooper's Hawk a few Junco's Le Cumbre Peak 2 Townsend's Solitaires 4 Mountain Chickadees 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet (heard only) 1 Hairy's Woodpecker 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 N. Flicker that had yellow under wings, it never stopped flying, so I don't know what it was. All in all, it was a pretty slow day of birding. The views were outstanding, you could see Point Conception, Santa Monica Mountains and most of the Channel Islands. It was way cool. Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Price of Petrel From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:29:50 -0600 Bob: It's Black-footed Albatross, not Black-legged Albatross. You also have a Buller's Shearwater labeled as an albatross. Nick ________________________________ From: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mr Zalophus Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 7:24 AM To: Hugh Ranson Cc: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Price of Petrel Photos of the Albatrosses, Common Murre, Shearwater along with some of the mammals are posted on the Condor Express Photos website: http://www.condorexpressphotos.com/Other/2009-11-15-SoCal-Bight-All-Day/10344093_NfTwo#715545029_WkgXf I'd appreciate being told about any ID errors if you have the time and inclination. I'm still learning... thanks Bob Perry Condor Express - Santa Barbara On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:12 PM, Hugh Ranson > wrote: > > > . . .or in this case, of no petrel. Yesterday's deep water pelagic > aboard the Condor Express dipped out on the hoped for CMF mega- > rarities, but we did see a nice assortment of birds, especially > shearwaters. My highlight was a Short-tailed Shearwater, and for many > others it was a Flesh-footed Shearwater. We had a large number (30+) > of very late Buller's Shearwaters, some of them coming so close to > the boat the photographers couldn't focus on them. Also seen were > large numbers of Black-vented and Pink-footed Shearwaters. Fulmars > were an almost constant presence throughout the day. We saw 3 Black- > footed Albatrosses, including one with a peculiar mottled plumage and > pink bill (but not a huge pink bill). Other birds of note included > Red Phalaropes, Ashy Storm-petrels, and several jaegers (mostly > poms). Finally, we saw a Sabine's Gull, which sets a late date record > for the county. > > Hugh r. > SB > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Price of Petrel From: Mr Zalophus <mr.zalophus AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:23:54 -0800 Photos of the Albatrosses, Common Murre, Shearwater along with some of the mammals are posted on the Condor Express Photos website: http://www.condorexpressphotos.com/Other/2009-11-15-SoCal-Bight-All-Day/10344093_NfTwo#715545029_WkgXf I'd appreciate being told about any ID errors if you have the time and inclination. I'm still learning... thanks Bob Perry Condor Express - Santa Barbara On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:12 PM, Hugh Ranson wrote: > > > . . .or in this case, of no petrel. Yesterday's deep water pelagic > aboard the Condor Express dipped out on the hoped for CMF mega- > rarities, but we did see a nice assortment of birds, especially > shearwaters. My highlight was a Short-tailed Shearwater, and for many > others it was a Flesh-footed Shearwater. We had a large number (30+) > of very late Buller's Shearwaters, some of them coming so close to > the boat the photographers couldn't focus on them. Also seen were > large numbers of Black-vented and Pink-footed Shearwaters. Fulmars > were an almost constant presence throughout the day. We saw 3 Black- > footed Albatrosses, including one with a peculiar mottled plumage and > pink bill (but not a huge pink bill). Other birds of note included > Red Phalaropes, Ashy Storm-petrels, and several jaegers (mostly > poms). Finally, we saw a Sabine's Gull, which sets a late date record > for the county. > > Hugh r. > SB > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Reporting Oiled Birds From: "jlbulk" <jlbulk AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:47:03 -0000 Hi SBCOBirders-- I noticed Nick Lethaby's message yesterday about the oiled juvenile Pacific Loon at Devereaux and wanted to request your help and cooperation in reporting oiled (and other injured) birds to the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN - ph 805-681-1080). SBCOBirders may be the first people to find oiled animals on the beach when an oil spill has occurred, but hasn't been reported or even noticed yet. With your reports, we can keep track of oiling events in our area. The Santa Barbara area also has natural seeps, and a number of birds are oiled by the output of those seeps every year. Oiled seabirds lose their waterproofing, become hypothermic, and will most likely die without proper care. After a few days of supportive care and washing, oiled seabirds can become waterproof again and be returned to their environment. The sooner we can get oiled birds into care, the better their chances of survival. If you see an oiled bird (or marine mammal), or a bird with other injuries (fishing line, broken wing, etc.) please call the SBWCN at 805-681-1080 and report the date, time, and location of the animal. If you can stay with the animal until someone arrives, that's even better. Thanks for your help! Julie Howar Lompoc, CA Subject: Santa Maria From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:12:11 -0800 S.B. Birders, I birded around Santa Maria until lunch today, here are a few birds of note. River Oaks Park 1 Yellow Warbler 1 Slate-colored Fox Sparrow Peskier Park 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Mark Browns) 4 Chipping Sparrows Santa Maria Sewage all of the usual ducks 1 Wilson's Snipe 5 Dunlin 73 Greater Yellowlegs 50+ Bonaparte's Gulls 30+ Mew Gulls Guadalupe Pastures fairly birdless, missed the Pacific Golden Plovers 2 male Canvasbacks, were the best birds. Please walk in if you are going to bird there. SMRE 1 Adult Golden Eagle 4 White Pelicans all of the expected birds were present. I then headed down to Goleta to try for the Rusty Blackbird,My first stop was at LLC. 2 Male Wood Ducks the continuing Lewis's woodpecker and American Bittern put on a nice show. I missed the Rusty Blackbird, after a couple of hours of searching. Does anybody know where the blackbird flock roost at night, or which direction they fly in from in the mornings. Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Price of Petrel From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:12:06 -0800 . . .or in this case, of no petrel. Yesterday's deep water pelagic aboard the Condor Express dipped out on the hoped for CMF mega- rarities, but we did see a nice assortment of birds, especially shearwaters. My highlight was a Short-tailed Shearwater, and for many others it was a Flesh-footed Shearwater. We had a large number (30+) of very late Buller's Shearwaters, some of them coming so close to the boat the photographers couldn't focus on them. Also seen were large numbers of Black-vented and Pink-footed Shearwaters. Fulmars were an almost constant presence throughout the day. We saw 3 Black- footed Albatrosses, including one with a peculiar mottled plumage and pink bill (but not a huge pink bill). Other birds of note included Red Phalaropes, Ashy Storm-petrels, and several jaegers (mostly poms). Finally, we saw a Sabine's Gull, which sets a late date record for the county. Hugh r. SB Subject: UCSB Campus notes From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:59:02 -0800 After reading Nick's continuing reports of the array of Diving ducks at Devereux, I decided to check the UCSB campus Lagoon at noon-time today to see if we had any. Apparently they prefer the habitat at Devereux, for we had the grand total of one pair of Redheads just north of the island. Also present in the lagoon were a couple of Bonaparte's Gulls and lots of Eared Grebes. Shorebirds at the end near the UCEN included Black-necked Stilts, Kildeer, and several Least Sandpipers. The beaches are cleaner than they have been recently, so shorebird numbers were down except at the eastern end of the beach below the bluffs. There were Black-necked Stilts, Kildeer, a lone Greater Yellowlegs, and Least Sandpipers where the waterfall comes down to the beach. Further up the beach were several hundred Sanderlings, more Least Sandpipers, four Black Turnstones, a few Black-bellied Plovers, one Long-billed Curlew, and a few Willets. I spotted two scoter flocks in the bay, but through binoculars was able to pull out only Surf Scoters from the mix. Needed a scope today to see if the Black Scoter and White-winged Scoter were present at noontime. Florence Sanchez Subject: Snow Geese at Santa Ynez River Mouth From: "Paul G. Rosso" <prrosso AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:39:36 -0800 Today,Nov 16th around 1 pm, there were 3 Snow Geese at the Santa Ynez River Mouth. An adult and a juvenile were slightly upstream from the RR bridge on the far north side of the estuary seeable from the parking lot at Ocean Park. The third Snow Goose (Adult) was flying from the RR bridge to the Ocean. It passed overhead,went back and the two other Snow Geese were still there. There was a White-tailed Kite patrolling the grasses in the estuary. Paul Rosso Lompoc, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birding Goleta 11/16 From: "milleniummaggs" <milleniummaggs AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:31:32 -0000 Just at sunrise this morning I saw a LEAST BITTERN at Los Carneros Lake beneath the wooden bridge. Also saw an AMERICAN BITTERN and the continuing LEWIS'S WOODPECKER. At Campus Point, I saw the male BLACK SCOTER and a female plumaged WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. Both were with Surf Scoters just south of the parking area. Yesterday Doug Stinson and I saw the female RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Thanks to Kathleen and Jared Dawson who alerted us to its presence near Staples. We re-located it a few stores down opposite Hallmark. So the bird moves around but stays with the local Brewer's Blackbirds. Jared's description is spot on. We also saw the TROPICAL KINGBIRD at LLC. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande, CA Subject: Devereux Canvasback and Pac Loon From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:15:51 -0600 All: Someone (I think Wim - but not sure) was asking me about Canvasback at Devereux. There was a female there early this morning along with a juv Pacific Loon, which is heavily oiled on its belly. I had a Merlin fly over. I had probably the all time high count of Redheads there. Total Aythya numbers were: Redhead - 87 Canvasback - 1 female Ring-necked Duck - 1 female Lesser Scaup - 3 males (still partially in eclipse or juv plumage) Greater Scaup - 1 male (still partially in eclipse or juv plumage) Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More Mesa Nov 15 From: "Yuji" <gobi2goby AT yahoo.co.jp> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:47:56 -0000 I biked around More Mesa today. There are several ponds at North- West corner now filled up with water. I saw a Hooded Merganser in one of them (34.425027280354875, -119.80323672294616). Photo is available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/eugene2010/4107708781/ Yuji Kozaki Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Subject: Armour Ranch Rd 15 Nov 09 From: Mark Holmgren <maholmgren AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:08:57 -0800 (PST) On a brief drive through with a bunch of students, we stopped near the W end of the N-S section of Armour Ranch Rd (34.61032 -120.04855) at about 9:15 am. We saw a about 12 Mountain Bluebirds and while there we heard Horned Larks calling and we saw 3 Violet-green Swallows. Mark Holmgren Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Los Carneros From: Mark Holmgren <maholmgren AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:57:33 -0800 (PST) Hello Alex, It appears you have photographed a juvenile Cassin's Kingbird on 15 Nov 2009 at Lake Los Carneros. This is extraordinary because it represents an extremely late nesting. It's so 'off the end of the curve' that I'm hoping you might have additional photos of this individual or any of the 3 kingbirds that you saw. Did you notice any behaviour that would suggest this individual was dependent upon an adult? Thanks for anything else you can offer. Mark Holmgren Santa Barbara ________________________________ From: Alex Viduetsky To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sun, November 15, 2009 11:12:02 AM Subject: [sbcobirding] Lake Los Carneros Yesterday (Nov. 14,) between 10:30AM and 2:30PM, in the Lake Los Carneros area I spotted a Lewis Woodpecker, multiple Acorn Woodpeckers, a group of 20-25 California Quails, at least 6 Red-Tailed Hawks, 3 Western Kingbirds, multiple blackbirds, 2 Northern Mockingbirds, 3-4 White-Crowned Sparrows. There were multiple shorebirds present as well. I did not see any White-Tailed Kites, probably, because I arrived too late in the morning and left too early in the afternoon. You may see some of my yesterday's photos here: http://www.flickr. com/photos/ 33691985 AT N08/sets/ 7215762268475245 1/show/ Alex Viduetsky Valley Village, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday November 9 - Sunday November 15, 2009 From: "Kelly, Melissa" <mkelly AT co.santa-barbara.ca.us> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:21:48 -0800 Howdy Folks, We're getting some action with the OSPREYS, EAGLES AND a PEREGRINE; exciting pursuits, challenges, and some courtship. 3 COMMON LOONS Most of the EARED GREBES have moved on; still seeing a few here and there lots WHITE PELICANS 1 NORTHERN SHOVELER 19 BUFFLEHEAD - northeast corner of the lake 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL - Storke 1 RUDDY DUCK 4 HOODED MERGANSERS NORTHERN HARRIER PEREGRINE FALCON 6-7 BONEPART'S GULLS ~ 200 Calidris spp flying over Storke 4 LEWIS' WOODPECKER at the north end of the Narrows ROCK WRENS - Little Cachuma, Cachuma, Santa Cruz Bay, and Narrows Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday November 9 - Sunday November 15, 2009 Mostly sightings by Liz Mason and Melissa Kelly Mute Swan Cygnus olor Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Green-winged Teal Anas crecca Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus Common Merganser Mergus merganser Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis 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 Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus American Coot Fulica americana Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Calidris mauri/Calidris minutilla 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 Lewis's Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus 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 Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii House Wren Troglodytes aedon Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus American Robin Turdus migratorius Wrentit Chamaea fasciata California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum European Starling Sturnus vulgaris - I American Pipit Anthus rubescens 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 American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis House Sparrow Passer domesticus - I 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: Rusty Blackbird refound From: "jared.dawson40" <jared.dawson40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:27:26 -0000 Kathleen and I fairly quickly refound Rob Lindsay's RUSTY BLACKBIRD this morning the 15th in the median area halfway between Staples and Anna's Bakery. But of course this bird is moving around attended by dozens of Brewer's. It is not a strongly-marked female but does have a quite-noticeable supercilium and a golden wash to its breast along of course with its light-colored iris. Jared Dawson Santa Barbara Subject: Lake Los Carneros From: Alex Viduetsky <aviduetsky AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:12:02 -0800 (PST) Yesterday (Nov. 14,) between 10:30AM and 2:30PM, in the Lake Los Carneros area I spotted a Lewis Woodpecker, multiple Acorn Woodpeckers, a group of 20-25 California Quails, at least 6 Red-Tailed Hawks, 3 Western Kingbirds, multiple blackbirds, 2 Northern Mockingbirds, 3-4 White-Crowned Sparrows. There were multiple shorebirds present as well. I did not see any White-Tailed Kites, probably, because I arrived too late in the morning and left too early in the afternoon. You may see some of my yesterday's photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33691985 AT N08/sets/72157622684752451/show/ Alex Viduetsky Valley Village, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Forgot to mention From: Robert Lindsay <capnbob AT sbceo.org> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:02:08 -0800 Had my first ever Chestnut Mannakin off the bridge at the top end of Lake Los Carneros, and then again a moment ago in my back yard two blocks north from Atascadero Creek near Walnut. Rob Lindsay > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sunday Goleta Birds From: Robert Lindsay <capnbob AT sbceo.org> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:54:50 -0800 11/15 8-9 am The Lewis' Woodpecker continues at Los Carneros. It was in the pines west of the lake but nearer Los Carneros Rd., not the pines along the road that circles the west lake and dam. Heard but did not see several Virginia Rail. No Sora or Bittern. Lots of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, California Thrasher, Townsend's Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow. Could not find the Black Scoter in Goleta Bay but did see Horned Grebe from the top of the stairs leading down to the beach at the Marine Sciences parking lot. On the beach were Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Curlew, Black Turnstone, American Pipit, Say's Phoebe, Semipalmated Plover, and others. Elegant and Forster's Tern were over the bay. Lots of Western Grebe but could not pick out any Clark's. At least two loons were in the bay but distant and uncooperative so never got species definitively. Rob Lindsay Subject: Santa Ynez/Figuroa Mnt From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:39:13 -0800 S.B. Birders, I birded around Santa Ynez this morning, here are the birds of note. Armour Ranch Road 1 Lewis's Woodpecker in the first drainage on the Solvang side. Baseline and Happy Canyon 1 Juvenile Bald Eagle 1 Barn Owl Alisos Road and Happy Canyon 2 Mountain Bluebirds 1 Burrowing Owl Figueroa Mountain Road 1 Golden Eagle 21 Mountain Bluebirds Ranger Peak 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets East Pinery Road 1 Townsend Solitare 1 dead Mountain Quail Foxen Canyon Road 1 Ferruginous Hawk Zaca Station Road 5 Lewis's Woodpeckers, by the electrical substation, about 1 mile off Hwy 101 Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pelagic trip on the Condor Express From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:22:31 -0800 Sea Birders, The Condor Express still has some openings for tomorrows trip. The trip leaves at 7:00 and returns at 8:00ish.They have a full service galley, this means for the last minute riders, breakfast, lunch and dinner are avalable. The price of the trip is $195. We will cover over 200 miles of water tomorrow. This is a great opportunity to photograph sea birds up close. If you are interested please e-mail me tonight, so I can put you on the manifest. Good birding and I'll see you at sea. Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White-throated Sparrow From: Hugh Ranson <zonetail AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:58:06 -0800 A long awaited first for my little yard on the Westside of Santa Barbara. Bird #108 on my yard list. Hugh R. SB Subject: Saturday misc birds From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:14:07 -0800 (PST) This morning, at Goleta Beach, a late YELLOW WARBLER was in trees in the picnic area, west of the group area.   In addition to the male BLACK SCOTER, reported earlier, a female WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was with Surf Scoters off the north end of the Marine Scienes parking lot at UCSB.   On Armour Ranch Rd near Santa Ynez, a LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was in an oak tree on the south side of the northern portion of the road. If you're coming from 246 x 154, this is near the first corral you come to as you drive east. No sign of any longspurs or Mountain Bluebirds in the area.   Dave Compton Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Goleta highlights on 11-14 From: "matt v" <fickity AT netscape.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:56:54 -0000 Greetings! This morning at Goleta Beach a juv PEREGRINE FALCON was making many of the slough Birds nervous... From the bluffs at UCSB we finally located the BLACK SCOTER and enjoyed some very close looks at playful Bottlenose Dolphins. Fortune smiled upon us when we checked SBCO Birds from our iPhones! Rob Lindsay's post had us racing over to Costco where we immediately relocated the RUSTY BLACKBIRD! Quite a morning indeed. In my years of Birding, I have searched for rarities in blizzards, monsoon rains, and nor'Easters, voyaged miles and miles out to sea, hiked to extreme elevations, felt searing desert heat, lots of freezing NY cold, etc. I have driven all night, and also lucked into rare species in my own yard. But NEVER have I EVER gone to a mall parking lot to see a rarity! Landfills? Heck yes, but Costco??? How can you top this? Thanks Robert for a timely post on this special rarity!!! -- 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: Rusty Blackbird at Costco From: Robert Lindsay <capnbob AT sbceo.org> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:49:38 -0800 11/14/09 10:30 am I just saw a fall plumage female Rusty Blackbird in the north east corner of the parking lot at Costco in Goleta. Rob Lindsay > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Preisker Park Santa Maria Nov. 13, 2009 From: "markbrown1848" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:44:23 -0000 All: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Preisker Park Santa Maria Nov. 13, 2009. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00/4101772274 . Mark Brown Santa Maria http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Subject: Solvang/Lompoc From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:05:13 -0800 S.B. Birders, I started out birding in Solvang and finished in Lompoc. The few birds of note are. Alisal Road 1 Varied Thrush Nojoqui Park 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets 1 Pink-sided Junco Refugio Road, by the alfalfa fields 1 Ferruginous Hawk Refugio Road, .25 miles upriver or East 5 Chestnut-backed Chickadees 1 Wilson's Warbler Hwy 154 and the Santa Ynez River 12 Hooded Mergansers Lompoc, Renwick Road, in the bean fields, or West side. 1 Lapland Longspur Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birding at Lake Los Carneros Fri. a.m. From: "Joan Lentz" <joanlentz AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:09:17 -0800 Hi All: Birded Lake Los Carneros from the La Patera Ln. entrance around to the footbridge on the west side of the lake. We had 2 White-tailed Kites, a No. Harrier, 2 Am. kestrels, plus Red-shouldered Hawk & Red-tailed Hawk. An OSPREY fly over was a nice surprise. The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER is still easily seen in the row of dead pines that parallels the paved road over on the western side of the lake. There were at least 4 Cassin's Kingbirds flying around that area, too, but we couldn't pick out a Tropical. We also tried for the American Bittern at the overlook spot near where the Cooper's Hawk nested, but we struck out. Nice views of Soras, one in particular from the footbridge was very close. No sapsuckers. Joan Lentz Santa Barbara Subject: Condor Express Trip - Good to Go Sunday the 15th From: "toddamcgrath" <SKUA AT MSN.com> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:48:52 -0000 Birders, We have enough particpants to run the trip on Sunday, so the trip is a "go". Weather is looking much improved for Sunday with winds dropping to 10-15 by the afternoon. Unfortunately, Some of our passengers for Saturday are not going to make the Sunday trip. As a result a few (about 10) spaces are available. Call the SeaLanding at 888-77WHALE or 805-882-0088 if you would like to ride out to the deepwater with us. Meet at 6:30AM for a prompt 7AM departure. I would like to thank all the particpants for their patience and understanding about the weather issues. Hopefully, my next post will be a very good trip report! Todd McGrath Calabasas (usually) and the shelf edge (Sunday) SKUA AT MSN.com Subject: Cambridge pines From: Rebecca Fagan Coulter <rfcphoebe AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:19:42 -0800 I had a Red-breasted Nuthatch at the open space at Cambridge x Via Salerno this morning. It was calling occasionally and moving all around from tree to tree. More pine cones than I've ever seen here-- bound to bring in mountain goodies (she says hopefully). Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara Ca Subject: Condor Express Pelagic - Moved to Sunday the 15th From: "toddamcgrath" <SKUA AT MSN.com> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:16:25 -0000 Birders, The forecast for Saturday has deteriorated offshore to the point where Capt. Matt feels it would be better to go Sunday. The weather for Sunday looks quite good, with winds 10knots less than Saturday. The Sea Landing will be calling all the particpants and asking them if they can make it Sunday. We need 40 of the sixty plus particpants to make it a go, so I am confident that we can get the folks required. The current forecast would be marginal at best, and likely wuld result in a cancellation at the dock tomorrow. Deepwater trips in early spring and late fall are subject to this kind of weather issue, and Matt has been great about rearranging the boat's schedule to try and get us offshore. I am confident we will get offshore Sunday, as the weather looks much improved, with both the NOAA forecast and satellite wind projections showing a much nicer day. If you were not booked on Saturday,but can make it Sunday, I suspect that there will be a few spots. Call the SeaLanding at 888-77WHALE or 805-882-0088, and they will let you know if there is room on Sunday. Todd McGrath SKUA AT MSN.COM Calabasas and offshore SUNDAY! Subject: Goleta From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:04:36 -0800 S.B. Birders, I birded around Goleta today, here are a few birds of note. Sandpiper Golf Course 3 Cackling Geese Glenn Anne Golf Course 1 Greater White-fronted Goose 1 Cackling Goose 1 Tropical Kingbird Farren Road 1 Lewis's Woodpecker Goleta Beach 3 Brant 1 Glaucous-winged Gull Laguna Blanca 1 Greater White-fronted Goose Goleta Sewage 1 Western Sandpiper 2 Dunlin LLC 2 Wood Ducks, Male and Female the continuing American Bittern Private property in the xmas circle 2 Rock wrens Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Field Trip to Las Cruzitas Ranch Nov. 21 From: "Adam" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:36:06 -0000 Where: Las Cruzitas Ranch near Santa Ynez When: Saturday November 21, 2009 (7:45am at car pool location) return between 1 & 2pm Sponsor: Santa Barbara Audubon Society Target Birds: Goldfinches, Buntings, Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Phainopepla, Yellow-billed Magpie, Prairie Falcon, Nuthatches, Hummingbirds and maybe a Golden Eagle Trip Leader: Cruz Phillips, 688-8233, cruzitas AT aol.com Cost: $8.00 gas money to car pool drivers Directions: Car pooling is recommended as parking is limited. We will meet at the Five Points Shopping Center (3925 State St. Carl's Jr) at 7:45 am. To meet us at the ranch take Hwy 154 to Armour Ranch Rd which is 3.3 miles west of Bradbury Dam (Lake Cachuma). Go north on Armour Ranch Rd 1.4 miles and turn right on Happy Canyon Rd. At 2.4 miles turn right on Alisos Ave. At 0.7 miles the pavement ends at a cattle guard. Continue 2.6 miles straight past 2 more cattle guards to the barn and ranch. We will arrive around 9 am and bird near the ranch house for about 2 hours where there are a large number of feeders and bird habitat. Then we will take an easy walk around the general area and perhaps a tour of a canyon. Bring water, a snack and/or lunch. Adam Lewis for the SBAS Subject: Goleta Bay From: "kylebraunger" <kylebraunger AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:21:09 -0000 The following observations were made this morning from the UCSB Marine Sciences lot and the west end of Goleta Beach: 1 con. B. Scoter (he reappeared after an apparent 3 day absence) 1 con. WW Scoter 1 lt. morph ad. Parasitic Jaeger (fairly close to shore) 1 ad. GW Gull (1st cycles fairly common; ads. much less so on S. Coast) 1 Horned Grebe Kyle Braunger Subject: Nature Photography Contest From: Rebecca Coulter <rfcphoebe AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:35:18 -0800 Hello, At the risk of wading into a murky pond...here is a message for all you birders who are talented and patient enough to also be photographers. (And in case you're wondering, this post has been approved by this group's moderator!) The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is holding a community photo contest and exhibition to highlight its mission: "Inspiring a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world." It is open to professional and amateur photographers of all ages, and winning entries will be displayed at the Museum in April 2010. All images that illustrate the mission are welcome. Judging by the high quality of the bird photographs I've seen posted by our list members, I would encourage some of you to consider submitting entries. Birding, and the natural world we enjoy while doing it, would certainly be appropriate material for this contest. For more information, visit the Museum's website: http://www.sbnature.org/exhibitions/488.html Good birding, Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: buying binos From: Eric Culbs <ericculbs AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:57:36 -0800 (PST) Looking at buying some new binos. Anyone have an opinion on the brand SIGHTRON? They look like they have some affordable models. Having used a pair of SIMMONS 10X50 to death I need to get some new ones. Subject: Mountain Bluebird at Cachuma From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:05:45 -0600 All: I had a Mountain Bluebird on Jackrabbit flats at Cachuma this morning. The lake itself seemed devoid of ducks as others have noticed. 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: Friday Bird Walk at Stevens Park From: "Adam" <aj.lewis AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:55:17 -0000 When: Friday Nov 13th 8:30 - 10:30 Where: Stevens Park Walk Leader: Jack Sanford Sponsor: Santa Barbara Audubon Society Target Birds: Raptors, Woodpeckers, Warblers, Phoebe, Wren, Kinglet, Towhee Directions: Hwy 101 to Las Positas Road off ramp. Turn towards the mountains. Follow Las Positas Rd until it becomes San Roque Rd. Follow San Roque Rd. and turn left on Calle Fresno & right on Canon Drive. Stevens Park is on your right. Adam Lewis for the SBAS Subject: Barns Owls at Ocean Meadows Golf Course From: "WK" <wim.van.dam AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:17:48 -0000 Yesterday at around 5 pm I had the good fortune to get excellent views of two Barn Owls in aerial combat above the Oceans Meadows Golf Course. Several times the past few months I have seen a single Barn Owl in the same area, but never two. I wonder if the 2nd one is an invader or if the two are a pair. (As I understand it Barn Owls are typically solitary.) Overall, the past few weeks OMGC has been quite rewarding raptor-wise: Great-horned Owl, Merlin, American Kestrel, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Northern Harrier all show regularly at the moment. The surrounding fields have large (>50) flocks of Western Meadowlarks and various sparrows. Maybe the two are correlated. - Wim Subject: Bird Refuge this a.m. From: "Dianna" <proscript.inc AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:35:21 -0000 This morning between 8:30 and 9:30 (November 11) at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge Don and I found a male HOODED MERGANSER under the bushes in the shadows of the first island. It was very difficult to see, but we were finally able to ID it. It could be seen from a vantage point about halfway between the first two viewing platforms, at the right (west) side of the island. In the same area between the two viewing platforms, on top of the myoporum tree, was a TROPICAL KINGBIRD. A very tame CACKLING GOOSE, Aleutian subspecies, was walking around on the shore, allowing people to pass within a few feet of it. We first saw it near the first viewing platform and later in front of the parking area. Photos here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27856490 AT N08/sets/72157622659046839/show/ Dianna Ricky Santa Barbara Subject: >>>Thread Closed<<< Re: LLC Lewis still around and a mystery bird/bunting. From: Jamie Chavez <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:13:14 -0800 This thread is closed. This is an issue that needs to be addressed so please bear with me. It is probably best to remind all members new and old about the stated intention of this group... From the group home page, right at the top: ------------------- *SBCOBIRDING* is a discussion group devoted to sharing information about the birds of Santa Barbara County CA; it's near shore waters, and the Channel Islands. Topics may include rare bird sightings, early and late migration dates, status, distribution and ID issues. Brief announcements of upcoming meetings, hikes and pelagic trips are also permitted. *RULES FOR POSTING:* Please provide your name and location at the end of every post Discuss only birds of Santa Barbara County All messages must have an appropriate Subject title New members will have their first message(s) moderated ------------------- Please note that this is a very condensed list of rules at the top of the Yahoo Group home page. If everyone followed these brief rules outlined above there would be few problems. However, since problems arise it is necessary to point out to everyone to the complete set of rules which I hope you will take the time to read, either for the first time or again. These rules have been in effect for many years. This is linked at the group home page: http://mysite.verizon.net/res0d1yq/listrules.htm Let me also point out a specific paragraph from the rules page that pertains to asking for identification help which is perfectly within the scope of the group. The intention here is that sbcobirding is an open forum and is not limited to just experienced birders. There is no requirement to be helpful, but pointing out inexperience or mocking publicly is not acceptable use of the forum and is grounds for moderation: ------------------- This listserve is open to everyone regardless of your knowledge or skill level. Novice birders are encouraged to ask questions of the many experienced members of the group. "Where-can-I-find..." and "How-can-I-identify..." are suitable questions to ask. Sbcobirding has become a source for reporting rarities but this list is intended to be a forum for discussing birding in general and bird identification in Santa Barbara County. Feel free to generate discussion. ------------------- The other issue of concern which is a legitimate concern is the use or over-use of photo posts. Initially when the rules were written the use of digital photography was a fairly new thing. There is no doubt that in just the past few years there has been an explosion of birders using digital cameras and this is showing itself in group messages. Not just here, but everywhere- I've looked. Most of the time I feel it is perfectly fine to throw a link in your post to a photo somewhere, but duplicating photos of the same rare bird or sending a message such as, "Went birding today, here are my photos" is not good use of the group. Rare bird photos should be representative and just by the first individual (or two) that posts about it first. Beyond this it is redundant unless updating whereabouts which is within the scope of the group. Many birders simply have their photos linked in their signature and this is an acceptable way to direct people who may be interested to look at them. The point is to be concise and stay on topic with photo links in messages. Simply point to a specific bird being mentioned and not an entire photo album. Remember that this list is about birding and not photography, but clearly the two merge so common sense should apply. Lastly, and this is one that has come up recently- bad behavior in the field. This can't spill over onto the list. Birders vs. photographers, photographers vs. birders- choose your team, but just know that if the issue moves onto the list someone will be banned. As moderator I reserve the right to "protect" the integrity of the list. No matter which side you are on, and some of us are on both, keep in mind the impact to other people, the birds being chased and the habitat we are tramping through to chase them. It matters not that you have binoculars or a camera around your neck. Jamie Chavez sbcobirding moderator Wes Fritz wrote: > Hi Niels, > Out of the 45 photos, I believe that your mystery bird is a juvenile Nutmeg Mannikin also know as Spotted Munia or Spice Finch. I am glad to hear you were out birding today and photographed a bird that you needed help with to ID, that is pretty cool. Please do not take offence, this is not an attack. I am a little confused with the Yellowstone photos, that is not even our state, or our county. At this day and age we all have digital cameras and we use them every day, at least I do. I photographed a mystery or a intergade type duck today, but I choose to pass the photos to my friends for their input, rather than showing the whole world that I was out birding today, with my camera. > > I am not sure but, I believe this is a bird forum, not a photo club. > > Good luck, good birding and peace out. > Wes Fritz > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lompoc From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:05:19 -0800 S.B. Birders, I birded around Lompoc today, here are few birds of note. Surf Beach 2 White-winged Scoters 1 Black Scoter ! Red-necked Grebe Many Black-vented Shearwaters Ocean Park 9 Canvasback Ducks 1 Eurasian Wigeon River Park 1 Cackling Goose (minima) still present after two weeks 1 Male Greater Scaup, seen in the morning, gone this afternoon Mission Hills Sewage Plant 24 Hooded Mergansers Green-winged, Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal If you want to bird or take advantage of the photography at this location please get permission first. Ask for Dan. Good birding, Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: LLC Lewis still around and a mystery bird/bunting. From: "Wes Fritz" <wes-fritz AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:41:18 -0800 Hi Niels, Out of the 45 photos, I believe that your mystery bird is a juvenile Nutmeg Mannikin also know as Spotted Munia or Spice Finch. I am glad to hear you were out birding today and photographed a bird that you needed help with to ID, that is pretty cool. Please do not take offence, this is not an attack. I am a little confused with the Yellowstone photos, that is not even our state, or our county. At this day and age we all have digital cameras and we use them every day, at least I do. I photographed a mystery or a intergade type duck today, but I choose to pass the photos to my friends for their input, rather than showing the whole world that I was out birding today, with my camera. I am not sure but, I believe this is a bird forum, not a photo club. Good luck, good birding and peace out. Wes Fritz Solvang, Ca. (805) 895-0685 wes-fritz AT verizon.net ----- Original Message ----- From: nlameijer To: sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 5:26 PM Subject: [sbcobirding] LLC Lewis still around and a mystery bird/bunting. Hi There, Went to LLC during lunch today. Lewis was putting up quite a show. Also at the foot bridge I saw a bunting like bird. I took a picture before it took off. Can anyone tell me what they think it is??? Niels (pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/27289894 AT N05/show/) Location: Lake Los Carneros Observation date: 11/10/09 Number of species: 16 Gadwall 6 Mallard 4 Ring-necked Duck 6 Ruddy Duck 3 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Eared Grebe 1 Snowy Egret 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Coot 6 Lewis's Woodpecker 1 Acorn Woodpecker 6 Western Kingbird 2 Hutton's Vireo 1 California Thrasher 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 6 Townsend's Warbler 1 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: LLC Lewis still around and a mystery bird/bunting. From: "nlameijer" <nlameijer AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:26:25 -0000 Hi There, Went to LLC during lunch today. Lewis was putting up quite a show. Also at the foot bridge I saw a bunting like bird. I took a picture before it took off. Can anyone tell me what they think it is??? Niels (pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/27289894 AT N05/show/) Location: Lake Los Carneros Observation date: 11/10/09 Number of species: 16 Gadwall 6 Mallard 4 Ring-necked Duck 6 Ruddy Duck 3 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Eared Grebe 1 Snowy Egret 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Coot 6 Lewis's Woodpecker 1 Acorn Woodpecker 6 Western Kingbird 2 Hutton's Vireo 1 California Thrasher 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 6 Townsend's Warbler 1 Subject: WW Scoter, Cackling Goose From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:11:54 -0600 All: The female WW Scoter found by Kyle continued off the N. end of the parking lot on the E. bluffs at UCSB this morning. There were 13 Surfs, but no Black. I had 4 Cackling Geese at Devereux. These are new birds I believe. At least two had obvious neck rings and I think all of them are likely Aleutians, but I had problems with the scope fogging up. The turnover amoung the Aythya ducks has slowed down a lot the last 2 weeks. There are typically about 50 Redheads now, 3-5 RN Ducks, and irregular singles of both scaups. Only one Bufflehead still. Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: LLC From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:45:44 -0600 All: An hour or less before work (ended up birding with Kyle) at LLC revealed the following: American Bittern: Single seen along E. shore opposite the E end of the dam. Finally get to see one here after numerous failed attempts. Moorhen: Single up along the NW arm Sora: 5 different birds seen Red-breasted Sapsucker: 3 Lewis's Woodpecker: 1 Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: weekend birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 21:57:07 -0600 All: I didn't have much time to look this weekend: Sat: Lewis's Woodpecker and Merlin at LLC Sun: 23 White Pelican, 3 Common Mergansers, GW Teal, and Gadwall at the E. end of Cachuma 2 Mountain Chickadee, 1 Brown Creeper, and a pacificus Winter Wren at Kinevan Rd Nick Lethaby nlethaby AT ti.com +1 805 562 5106 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday November 2 - Sunday November 8, 2009 From: "Kelly, Melissa" <mkelly AT co.santa-barbara.ca.us> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 15:38:30 -0800 Howdy Folks, Large flocks of DARK-EYED JUNCOS and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS have arrived. There have been quite a few HERMIT THRUSHES around too. We had our first Trout Plant of the winter on Friday; so the two adult BALD EAGLES have been busy chasing OSPREY. WHITE PELICANS, CANADA GEESE, and 2 CACKLING GEESE are still here. The 'red bellied' immature BALD EAGLE was chasing a TURKEY VULTURE on Lone Star yesterday, when a NORTHERN HARRIER blundered into the fracus. A new immature BALD EAGLE was found today south of Arrowhead Island; this was a 3-4 year old with a mostly white head and darker line thru the eye. If all of the previously seen five are still around, we could potentially have six immatures on the lake. Liz saw a group of 20 or so WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS feeding close over the water on Saturday. A PEREGRINE FALCON has been hunting Storke Flat. Except for a large group of 50+ MALLARDS hanging out at the back of Cachuma Bay, very few ducks have been thru. Liz had 14 RING-NECKED DUCKS on Friday; today there were 6 or 7 RUDDY DUCKS and 3 COMMON MERGANSERS; as well as One COMMON LOON, one SNOWY EGRET, one HORNED GREBE and 7 BONAPART'S GULLS. Birds of Cachuma Lake From Monday November 2 - Sunday November 8, 2009 Mostly sightings by Liz Mason and Melissa Kelly Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii Canada Goose Branta canadensis Mute Swan Cygnus olor Gadwall Anas strepera Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Common Merganser Mergus merganser Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo - I California Quail Callipepla californica Common Loon Gavia immer Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus 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 Snowy Egret Egretta thula 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 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus American Coot Fulica americana Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 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 White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus 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 Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus American Robin Turdus migratorius Wrentit Chamaea fasciata California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum European Starling Sturnus vulgaris - I Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus California Towhee Pipilo crissalis Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps 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 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: NOT a Rough leg... From: "matt v" <fickity AT netscape.net> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:18:56 -0000 IE I screwed up... Yesterday while birding in Cuyama a distant Raptor perched on the very tip of a small tree top had me totally convinced it was a Rough-leg. Poor light and exposure made a field review of the id difficult. Alex called the id into question last night, but I was out and unable to comment/look further into the issue. It was only just now when viewing on the monitor back home that reality set in. A juv Red-tail has made a fool of me. Sorry for the false alarm... I will be available to receive any and all beatings next Saturday on the pelagic trip... Apologies to all, MattV. Subject: Goleta Bay White-winged Scoter From: "kylebraunger" <kylebraunger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:41:51 -0000 Visible from Goleta Pt. this morning was a six-some of Scoters that contained a female-type WW Scoter,the continuing male Black Scoter,and 2 male & 2 female S. Scoters...interesting combination. Also seen from the point was an imm. Jaeger, a small number(< 100)of Black-vented Shearwaters swirling around offshore, 20+ flyby loons (almost all Pacifics)and a few flyby S. Scoters. Kyle Braunger Subject: Rough-legged Hawk, New Cuyama, Saturday at 10 a.m. From: "Liz M" <lizmuraoka AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:17:22 -0000 Matt Victoria just called. He and Alex Abela are birding in New Cuyama and have a Rough-legged Hawk, light morph, flying around a small orchard, at this location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=34.898055,-119.584825+(1650+Foothill+Rd,+Maricopa,+CA+93252,+USA)&ie=UTF8&ll=34.899166,-119.585195&spn=0.018267,0.032229&t=h&z=15 They both have multiple photos. Posted for Matt Victoria and Alex Abela. Liz Muraoka Santa Barbara 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 >