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San Diego Birding List

Updated on Tuesday, December 18 at 05:42 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

Hi, all!
 
Did the De Luz Loop this morning (finally--thought I was gonna get rained  
out again today), where the most interesting bird was a leucistic Scrub Jay  
along the unpaved portion of the road up near the Riverside County line. I've 

posted pictures here:
 
_http://miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/Corvids.htm_ 
(http://miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/Corvids.htm) 
 
I was concerned about how this area fared during the Rice Fire, but  
thankfully only a little chunk along Carancho Road in Riverside County got hit. 

Pictures are posted here (and scroll down to "De Luz Road"):
 
_http://miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/2007%20Firestorms.htm_ 
(http://miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/2007%20Firestorms.htm) 
 
Nothing else out of the ordinary, but always a pretty drive!  Bird  list:
 
   Mallard                                Anas platyrhynchos
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Anna's  Hummingbird                     Calypte anna
Acorn  Woodpecker                       Melanerpes formicivorus
Red-breasted  Sapsucker                 Sphyrapicus ruber
Nuttall's  Woodpecker                   Picoides nuttallii
Downy  Woodpecker                       Picoides pubescens
Northern  Flicker                       Colaptes auratus
Black  Phoebe                           Sayornis nigricans
Say's  Phoebe                           Sayornis saya
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
California  Thrasher                    Toxostoma redivivum
Hermit  Thrush                          Catharus guttatus
American  Robin                         Turdus migratorius
Wrentit                                Chamaea fasciata
Bushtit                                Psaltriparus minimus
Oak  Titmouse                           Baeolophus inornatus
White-breasted  Nuthatch                Sitta carolinensis
Western  Scrub-Jay                      Aphelocoma californica
American  Crow                          Corvus brachyrhynchos
Common  Raven                           Corvus corax
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
Hutton's  Vireo                         Vireo huttoni
House  Finch                            Carpodacus mexicanus
Lesser  Goldfinch                       Carduelis psaltria
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Spotted  Towhee                         Pipilo maculatus
California  Towhee                      Pipilo crissalis
Fox  Sparrow                            Passerella iliaca
Song  Sparrow                           Melospiza melodia
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
White-crowned  Sparrow                  Zonotrichia leucophrys
Golden-crowned  Sparrow                 Zonotrichia atricapilla
Dark-eyed  Junco                        Junco hyemalis
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus

42 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
now back in San Diego, CA till FEB
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 





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Seasons Greetings, SDBirders

This morning at LaJolla Cove, Gary Grantham and I joined Stan Walens 
to watch an amazing spectacle: 93 Rhino Auklets, all flying south 
just beyond the kelp line and inside some of the kayaks.  Some 
tightly grouped flocks contained as many as eight birds.  

Unitt (2004) says of Rhinoceros Auklet: "Seventeen in LaJolla Cove 11 
January 2003 were exceptional.  Consistent coverage by D. W. Povey of 
the ocean near Oceanside and San Diego during Christmas bird counts 
since the mid 1970s has yielded a maximum of eight on the Oceanside 
count, 22 December 1990."

300 Black-vented shearwaters were mostly moving south, as was one (1) 
Common Murre.  A dark-morph Northern Fulmar made a very brief 
appearance.  Upwards of 100 Bonaparte's Gulls could be seen moving 
about � mile offshore.  

We spotted our season's first 4-5 Gray Whales blowiing and surfacing 
about a mile offshore.  Ross Christie (of Scripps Aquarium) briefly 
stopped by and shared that a Scripps tour saw their first Grays of 
the season a couple days ago.  So, we're now officially into whale 
season. 

By 9:20 a.m., numbers of Rhinos were slowing down and the light was 
becoming harsh - but we stayed just a bit longer to beat Stan's total 
of yesterday (91).  We were stuck at 90 until Gary Grantham found a 
group of 3 at 9:40. 

Terry Hunefeld
Life is short. 
Bird often. 

Had a Plumbeous Vireo this am in a Torrey Pine in the SE corner of the 
chaparral section of Kate Sessions Park. There were also a few Golden-crowned 
Sparrows scattered around. Otherwise very quiet. The buckwheat and coastal sage 
is leafing out nicely after the recent rains. 


Bill Doyle
La Jolla

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I recall sightings of a single condor over Cuyamaca. In any case, a female 
wearing radio telemetry was briefly in San Diego County, and in fact visited 
the south end of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on 3-4 April 2007, then 
returned to Baja. 

Robert Th�riault
Borrego Springs
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The Buena Vista Audubon Dec. 07 newsletter includes an account of a recent 
successful trip down to see the (captive bred and released) Baja condors flying 
free in the wild. You can access the newsletter by going to www.bvaudubon.org , 
click on "newsletters", and then on the appropriate issue. To my knowledge it 
was reported that a single condor did stray over the border into SD County for 
one day earlier in the year. 


--Andy Mauro

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Teddi Botham 
  To: SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 8:11 AM
  Subject: [SDBIRDS] Condors & Sierra San Pedro Martir question


  Has anyone on this list had any opportunity to bird the Sierra San Pedro
  Martir (n. Baja) to see Condors? Have these birds wandered northward at
  all in to SD county yet? Any ideas on what time of the year might be best
  to head down there to try spotting them (in Baja)?

  I used to have a website that gave me daily accounts of the Condor residents
  in the wild in various places but "lost" it. Thanks, Teddi 


   


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2:13 PM 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Has anyone on this list had any opportunity to bird the Sierra San Pedro
Martir  (n. Baja) to see Condors?  Have these birds wandered northward at
all in to SD county yet?   Any ideas on what time of the year might be best
to head down there to try spotting them (in Baja)?

I used to have a website that gave me daily accounts of the Condor residents
in the wild in various places but "lost" it.     Thanks, Teddi 

Hello all,
Can you help me identify this single yellow bird:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfarnesi/sets//


Thank you for identifying my earlier post as the House Finch. 

At the same feeder on one occasion this single yellow bird appeared. 
I've only seen it once and never again. the photos are of this single 
bird. You may need to click for the larger photo to see more detail.

Mike
Golden Hill

At the end of last summer, a large, juvenal Cooper's Hawk took up residence in 
the Torrey Pine in our yard. It did very well on the doves and starlings that 
are all around the place, seldom having to go far to get a meal. Since it had 
time on its hands (so to speak), it took to perching on the edge of the fish 
pond and watching the small koi swimming lazily along the surface. It was 
comical to watch it bend wa-a-a-y down to examine the fish closely. Finally, it 
could stand it no more, and jumped in! After only a couple of tries, it came up 
with a fish, which it took to the lowest branch of the tree overhanging the 
pond. The koi are now gone, and we will not be buying more. The hawk still 
stands on the edge of the pond, watching the smaller, faster and deeper 
goldfish, and, as of yesterday, still jumps in. Hope springs eternal in the 
feathered breast. 


BIDO
La Jolla

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Enjoyed a beautiful day counting birds in the desert Sunday as part of the
Anza-Borrego CBC. Highlights of my route are listed below:

Pine Siskin-1 (Henderson Canyon Rd-on a powerline with House Finch?!!)
American Robin-1 (Henderson Canyon Rd-odd bird for the valley floor)
Merlin-1 (DiGiorgio Rd)
Ferruginous Hawk-1 (DiGiorgio Rd)
Gray Flycatcher-3 (Date Farm along Borrego Valley Rd)
Scott's Oriole-1 (Date Farm)
Lincoln's Sparrow-6 (Date Farm-a very reliable location for #s of this local
desert species)

Thanks again to all of the volunteers who provided the delicious chili.
Mmmmmm!!!

Good Birding!

Jay Desgrosellier
San Diego, CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

adult cooper's hawk, probably female


Stan Moore
Petaluma, CA
stangabboon AT sbcglobal.net



--- In SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com, "mfarnesi"  wrote:
>
> Hello,
> I have another set of pics of a single bird that I need help to 
> identify. I took these pics from my balcony in Golden Hill some 
time 
> ago:
> 
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfarnesi/sets//detail/
> 
> Thank you
> Mike
> Golden Hill
>

Forwarded for Phil Unitt.

Geoffrey L. Rogers
San Diego, CA
oreortyx AT earthlink.net



----- Original Message ----- 
From: Philip Unitt 
To: unitt AT cox.net
Sent: 12/16/2007 9:32:48 PM 
Subject: San Diego Christmas bird count


Dear San Diego Christmas bird count participants,

Thanks very much for a terrific count yesterday. We are currently at 213 
species, a phenomenal total, possibly a record (I will research this more 
tomorrow). Data not yet received could nudge this even a little higher. 


Here are some highlights. I will circulate another, more detailed report as I 
get the data entered. 


By far the best bird of the count was the Olive-sided Flycatcher in western 
Balboa Park. It was found on Wednesday by Chris Adler and seen on the day of 
the count by Jim Wilson and his team. Only one previous winter record for San 
Diego County and few if any others for California (or anywhere in the United 
States). 


Two N. Fulmars on the ocean by Dave Povey, Terry Hunefeld, and Tom Myers.

One Tricolored Heron in the Tijuana R. estuary by John Spain, Bill Mittendorff, 
and Mike Goldhamer. 


Cattle Egret: One along the lower Sweetwater R. by Ron & Linda Johnson and 
team. 


Two adult and one juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Herons now resident in Imperial 
Beach by John Spain, Bill Mittendorff, and Mike Goldhamer. 


One Cackling Goose in Bonita by Bill Doyle and Bobby Hughes.

One Ross' Goose along the Chula Vista bayshore by Jay Desgrosellier (seen also 
during our midday compilation) 


Long-tailed Duck: One at Point Loma by Tom Blackman, Don Adams, and Joe Worley.

Black Scoter: Two at the Imperial Beach pier by Stan Walens.

100 Red Phalaropes on ocean off Point Loma by Tom Blackman, Don Adams, and Joe 
Worley. 


One Common Murre on the ocean by Dave Povey, Terry Hunefeld, and Tom Myers.

One Ancient Murrelet on the ocean by Dave Povey, Terry Hunefeld, and Tom Myers.

Two Rhinoceros Auklets on the ocean by Dave Povey, Terry Hunefeld, and Tom 
Myers. 


Five Vaux's Swifts at Sweetwater Dam by Pete Famolaro and team.

One Hammond's Flycatcher in Spreckels Park, Coronado, by Lea Squires and Matt 
Sadowski; another in Imperial Beach by John Spain, Bill Mittendorff, and Mike 
Goldhamer. 


One Gray Flycatcher in western Balboa Park by Jim Wilson; another on North 
Island by Robert Patton. 


One Plumbeous Vireo in central Balboa Park by Ginger Johnson and team; two in 
Greenwood Cemetery by Ken Weaver, Jim Zimmer, and Dave Batzler; one in Memorial 
Park, Chula Vista, by Matt Sadowski and Lea Squires. 


Three Red-breasted Nuthatches in Greenwood Cemetery by Ken Weaver, Jim Zimmer, 
and Dave Batzler, 


One Brown Creeper in Friendship Park, Chula Vista, by Matt Sadowski and Lea 
Squires. 


Three Violet-green Swallows and one Barn Swallow at Sweetwater Dam by Pete 
Famolaro and team. 


One Nashville Warbler on North Island by Robert Patton; another in the Tijuana 
R. valley by Guy McCaskie, Therese Clawson, and Sue Smith. 


One Hermit Warbler in Greenwood Cemetery by Ken Weaver, Jim Zimmer, and Dave 
Batzler. 


One Pine Warbler in Friendship Park, Chula Vista, by Matt Sadowski and Lea 
Squires. 


One Palm Warbler at the Camp Surf jetty, Imperial Beach, by Wayne Harmon and 
team. 


Rose-breasted Grosbeak: one in eastern Balboa Park by Jeanie Anderson and 
Richard Griebe; another in Spreckels Park, Coronado, by Matt Sadowski and Lea 
Squires. 


Hooded Oriole: One in Coronado by Elizabeth Copper.

This is still preliminary and incomplete. More info on multiple Eurasian 
Wigeons, Vermilion Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers, Black-thr. Gray Warblers, 
Bullock's Orioles, Summer and Western Tanagers, Green-tailed Towhees, etc., 
etc. when I have a little more time! I'll be doing some serious data entry 
tomorrow afternoon. 


Thanks to everyone for such a great count!

Phil

Philip Unitt
Collection Manager, Department of Birds and Mammals
San Diego Natural History Museum
P. O. Box 121390
San Diego, CA 
phone: (direct line)
fax:
e-mail: birds AT sdnhm.org
website: www.sdnhm.org

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello,
I have another set of pics of a single bird that I need help to 
identify. I took these pics from my balcony in Golden Hill some time 
ago:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfarnesi/sets//detail/

Thank you
Mike
Golden Hill

Can someone tell me please what bird are these:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfarnesi/sets//detail/

I believe they are simply the 'house finch' but they seem quite orange 
colored.

Thank you
Mike
Golden Hill

i lucked out last night and found this guy in the yard ... see the new
Great-horned Owls album ...

Tom Lindner
Ramona

Joe and I hiked Whisker Bay trail at Dixon Lake on Sunday and were 
rewarded with an Osprey feasting of a freshly caught fish; a Northern 
Harrier which flew by at shoulder height and 2 Fox Sparrows along the 
trailside.

On the way in, we observed a multitude of Juncos, Lesser Goldfinch, 
Ruby-crowned Kinglets and White-crowned Sparrows.

White Pelicans and American Wigeon on the lake itself

Joe and Mary Bochiechio
San Marcos, CA

Hi, all!
 
That was the most interesting bird today, but had a good selection of  things 
(see below).  Has anyone else noticed more "Fat-billed" Fox Sparrows  this 
winter? I had another one today, which makes about five that I've seen in the 

last couple of weeks, which is more than I usually see over a  five-year 
period! Was shown once again that a Butterbutt that sounds more like a Myrtle 

ain't necessarily one...
 
Also, I've posted pictures of the female Eurasian Wigeon we had at Delta  
Beach during the CBC:
 
_http://miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/Waterfowl.htm_ 
(http://miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/Waterfowl.htm) 
 
and scroll down a bit.
 
Bird List:
 
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
Eared  Grebe                            Podiceps nigricollis
American White  Pelican                 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Double-crested  Cormorant               Phalacrocorax auritus
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Gadwall                                Anas strepera
Mallard                                Anas platyrhynchos
Ring-necked  Duck                       Aythya collaris
Lesser  Scaup                           Aythya affinis
Bufflehead                             Bucephala albeola
Ruddy  Duck                             Oxyura jamaicensis
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Sharp-shinned  Hawk                     Accipiter striatus
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
Sora                                   Porzana carolina
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Ring-billed  Gull                       Larus delawarensis
Anna's  Hummingbird                     Calypte anna
Belted  Kingfisher                      Ceryle alcyon
Nuttall's  Woodpecker                   Picoides nuttallii
Northern  Flicker                       Colaptes auratus
Black  Phoebe                           Sayornis nigricans
Cassin's  Kingbird                      Tyrannus vociferans
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Rock  Wren                              Salpinctes obsoletus
Canyon  Wren                            Catherpes mexicanus
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
Marsh  Wren                             Cistothorus palustris
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
California  Thrasher                    Toxostoma redivivum
Western  Bluebird                       Sialia mexicana
Hermit  Thrush                          Catharus guttatus
Wrentit                                Chamaea fasciata
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Bushtit                                Psaltriparus minimus
Mountain  Chickadee                     Poecile gambeli
Oak  Titmouse                           Baeolophus inornatus
Western  Scrub-Jay                      Aphelocoma californica
American  Crow                          Corvus brachyrhynchos
Common  Raven                           Corvus corax
House  Finch                            Carpodacus mexicanus
Lesser  Goldfinch                       Carduelis psaltria
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Spotted  Towhee                         Pipilo maculatus
California  Towhee                      Pipilo crissalis
Rufous-crowned  Sparrow                 Aimophila ruficeps
Fox Sparrow (SC &  FB)                        Passerella iliaca
Song  Sparrow                           Melospiza melodia
White-crowned  Sparrow                  Zonotrichia leucophrys
Dark-eyed  Junco                        Junco hyemalis

56 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
now back in San Diego, CA till FEB
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

at buddy  todd park  looking at maybe 30 or so oregon juncos I observed 
one that had no pink on sides, clearly gray on sides
I haven`t paid a lot of attention to juncos so I did not take the time 
or better yet knew to look at the back but  It  was most probably a 
slate colored junco.  I think  female.
Theres construction at the park but a good section of it can be 
accessed from east end
1 white breasted nuthatch seen     

steve brad
leucadia

Hello all, and sorry for the late post.
 
Guy McCaskie and I refound the Olive-sided Flycatcher in Balboa Park on Sunday 
morning, around 8 am. It was where it has been previously reported - just east 
of Balboa Dr. and just west of the redwood canyon, and about 100 yards north of 
the intersection with El Prado. 

 
Cheers,
Jonathan.
 
Jonathan St. John
Vista
jaysinj AT hotmail.com


To: SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.comFrom: adler AT alum.mit.eduDate: Fri, 14 Dec :56:04 +0000Subject: [SDBIRDS] Olive-Sided Flycatcher 





Dear birders,I observed what I think is an Olive-Sided Flycatcher this morning 
from 10:30am-11:30am in Balboa Park. I've posted a few hasty pictures here, 
taken without a telephoto 
lens:http://beuys.sandiego.edu/~cadler/OliveSidedPix.htmlThe location is the 
West side of park, in the canyon closest to Olive St. I've marked the location 
on this map (the northerly 
pin):http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=.0004412f71d6ad6229d59&t=h&z=18&om=1(The 
other pin on the map is where I observed the bird on Wednesday morning, but 
without a camera so I was reluctant to post without confirmation.)The bird 
moved between the tops of an oak tree and nearby pine tree as was there when I 
left at 11:30. According to Unitt's atlas, the bird hasn't been seen in winter 
since 1983 so I'd be very grateful for confirmation. Thanks!Christopher 
Adler..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 
.......... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 
.......... christopher adler ... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .......... 
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... www.christopheradler.com ....... ..... 
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .......... ..... .. 
adler AT alum.mit.edu ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .......... ..... ..... ..... 
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .......... ..... ..... ..... ..... 
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 







_________________________________________________________________
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Read Kevin Larson's report yesterday.
L.A.Birds listserv
Hmm, I said.

La Jolla Cove this morning
7:15-8:30
Good light, wind.
Seems like a nice spot.
I should go there more often.


2000+ black-vented shearwaters
91 rhinoceros auklets,
24 sitting in the kelp bed when I first arrived.
4 ancient murrelets
2 Xantus's murrelets
1 common murre

yada-yada

stan walens
uc
swalens AT ucsd.edu

An American Oystercatcher is present NOW on the rocks in front of 417 Coast 
Blvd. From here, it tends to go north to the rocks on the ocean side of the 
Children's Pool (Seal Beach), also on Coast Blvd, La Jolla. 


Bill Doyle
La Jolla

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I just saw a Red   Breasted Sapsucker outside our house in Cuyamaca Woods, 
Julian 5 minutes ago. It was checking out the trunk of a small oak that most of 

the birds use to access our birdfeeder.

Robyn Waayers


**************************************
See AOL's top rated 
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Greetings,

I saw Rob Keaton's recent note on SD Birds. Upper Newport Bay ("UNB",  
in Orange County, your neighbor to the north) is a terrific place to  
bird and photograph! Consult the book, The Art of Bird Photography by  
Arthur Morris. Some of those images were made at UNB. By the way,  
he's leading a bird photography workshop in San Diego in January.  
Outstanding!
http://www.birdsasart.com/

While at UNB, check out the Muth Interpretive Center at the north end  
of UNB.
http://www.ocparks.com/unbic/

Also check out San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, run by our chapter of  
the National Audubon Society, just upstream from UNB.
http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/SJWS/sjws.htm


You're all welcome and encouraged to join Orange County Birding. Be  
sure to follow its sign-up directions. Many people attempt to join  
but don't complete the process.

During sign-up at the YahooGroups website, there is a space to enter  
a short bit of text. Since that space can be used by spamming robots,  
we ignore it (so should you). After you submit your membership  
request, the system will send you an automated e-mail message with a  
request for a short biography. Be sure to write that up and send it  
to us at the correct address (as specified in the message). It's a  
pain, I know, but it has really cut down the number of spammers  
trying to join the group.

BTW - we had a roseate spoonbill here for about week. Seems to have  
moved on a few days ago, though. Riverside is now reporting one, so  
it may be the same one that flew farther up the Santa Ana River.

-Bob Allen
bugbob AT mac.com
Owner & Co-Moderator, OC Birding
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding/

======
>
> Upper Newport Bay
> Posted by: "rtwkeaton"
> Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:30 am (PST)
>
> Just curious...any of you ever bird Upper Newport Bay, aka Back Bay?
> Is it a good place for bird photography?
>
> Rob Keaton
>
> Leucadia





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This afternoon Bill Doyle, Bobby Hughes and I observed an adult male  
Summer Tanager (SUTA) from the upper trail at Rios near the freeway.

Victoria Calhoun
Encinitas

I saw another gyrfalcon today, Fort Pierre National Grassland. This
gyrfalcon was located about 6 miles south of Fort Pierre and one mile east. 
http://www.wildphotosphotography.com/Gyrs2007/gyr2.htm

There are lots of raptors on the grasslands, golden eagles, bald eagles,
roughlegs, ferruginous hawks, harriers, redtails, and prairie falcons. I saw
7-8 short-eared owls too. 
I haven't been up north of Pierre but I hear that the raptor numbers are
high there too. 

Doug Backlund
Pierre, S.D. 

I saw another gyrfalcon today, Fort Pierre National Grassland. This
gyrfalcon was located about 6 miles south of Fort Pierre and one mile east. 
http://www.wildphotosphotography.com/Gyrs2007/gyr2.htm

There are lots of raptors on the grasslands, golden eagles, bald eagles,
roughlegs, ferruginous hawks, harriers, redtails, and prairie falcons. I saw
7-8 short-eared owls too. 
I haven't been up north of Pierre but I hear that the raptor numbers are
high there too. 

Doug Backlund
Pierre, S.D. 

New images from yesterday's San Diego Christmas Bird Count.

Common Loon- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Bird_Pages/common_loon.htm

Pied-billed Grebe- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/pied.htm

Little Blue Heron- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/little_blue_heron.htm

Reddish Egret- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/reddish_egret.htm

Pintail- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/pintail.htm

Eurasian Wigeon- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/eurasian_wigeon.htm

Blue-winged Teal- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Bird_Pages/blue.htm

Golden Eagle- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/golden_eagle.htm

Red-breasted Nuthatch- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/red3.htm

Townsend's Warbler- http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/townsend.htm


Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Festivus!

Douglas Aguillard
San Diego, CA
doug AT basiclink.com
Black Water Nature Photography
http://sdbirds.basiclink.com

"Come to the Darkside--we have cookies!"




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Greetings, SDBirders,

The Pelagic Portion of the San Diego bird count began on a crisp 
clear 43 degree Saturday morning as the sun peeked over the horizon 
at Shelter Island.   Dave Povey, Tom Myers and Terry Hunefeld headed 
out to sea.  We cut the engines to count gulls just outside the 
nuclear sub base on Point Loma.  The 3 of us staring towards the sub 
base through binoculars drew a Navy security gun boat out to circle 
us a few times.  We smiled and waved.  They didn't smile or wave 
back.  

We arrived at the west edge of the count circle (about 2 miles 
offshore) to find that the gulls really responded to our popcorn 
chum, flocking in frenzy fashion.  As a result of their squawking and 
brawling, several cool species came in (or zoomed by) to take a look 
at what all the fuss was about.  

The bird of the day was an Ancient Murrelet that flopped down 20 feet 
from the boat.

Photos of Silversides, Fulmar and Murelet: http://tinyurl.com/26l4eu

A light Northern Fulmar (one of two for the day) approached within 3 
feet of the boat.  

Two Rhinoceros Auklets and a Common Murre were the other two uncommon 
highlights of the day, probably drawn by the screaming gulls. 

Other birds included 3 Black-Oystercatchers, 2 Surfbirds and a 
surprising 41 Black Turnstones on the Zuniga jetty.  4 Bonaparte's 
Gulls finally checked us out in the afternoon after evading us all 
day.  The only shearwater we saw were 5 of the expected Black-
vented.  23 Brant.  403 Surf Scoters.  3497 Western Grebes and one 
(1) Clark's.  

A young Western Gull came aboard to snack popcorn.
Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8WlETwc0EA

You've seen the cartoons of the little fish being eaten by the bigger 
fish being eaten by the even bigger fish?  Well, late in the 
afternoon we watched a Western Gull swoop to the surface and pick up 
a fish so large it couldn't carry it.  The dropped fish was stolen by 
another gull who also couldn't carry it.  As the gulls fought, we 
netted the fish.  It was a silversides, a big cousin to grunion.  It 
had evidently tried to swallow an anchovy but was unable to get it 
down which may be why it was on the surface for the gulls.  Photo 
link:  http://tinyurl.com/26l4eu

Terry Hunefeld, Leucadia
Life is short. 
Bird often.  

Greetings SD Birders!
I'll be down in your wonderful county next weekend for a combination
fun/education/birding trip.  I have Brad Schramm's ABA guide and know the
areas but haven't actually visited most of them.  What is a reasonable
amount of time to allocate for the South Bay area (p. 227 in the new book)?
What areas there or elsewhere would be best at this time of year?  Please
include any other important tips, such as recent closures if any, good
parking spots, etc.  Thanks in advance for your off-line responses.
I'm especially interested in some CA/year birds such as: CAGO (lite), BRAN,
TUSW, YCNH, LBH, CLRA, AGPL, REKN and BTMJ.
Some birders use four letter codes
But some folks can't work in those modes
Beware if you use them
Folks'll say you abuse them
Their opinions they'll quickly unload!
:-)
Whatever your b'liefs at that holiday season, here's wishing you plenty of
fun time to bird, (and for some of you) a little more tolerance and a
reasonable sense of humor.
Regards,
Ed
Ed Stonick
Pasadena, CA
edstonick AT earthlink.net  
 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Just curious...any of you ever bird Upper Newport Bay, aka Back Bay?  
Is it a good place for bird photography?


Rob Keaton

Leucadia

Jennifer Jackson and I enjoyed an exceptional day birding the Chula Vista
Bayfront for the SD CBC. We ended the day with 112 species! An amazing feet
for such a small area. Below I've listed some of the highlights for your
perusal. Enjoy!

American White Pelican-1 (J St.)
Little Blue Heron-1 (imm., J St.)
Reddish Egret-1 (adult, Sweetwater NWR)
Snow Goose-5 (4 ad. 1 imm., Bayfront park)
Ross' Goose-1 (ad., Bayfront park)
Greater Scaup-6 (J St.)
Canvasback-3 (J St.)
Peregrine Falcon-2 (1-J St & 1-D St fill)
Clapper Rail (F St. marsh)
Snowy Plover-16 (Sweetwater NWR)
Red Knot-115 (Sweetwater NWR)
Thayer's Gull-1 (1st winter, J St.)
Glaucous-winged Gull-1 (1st winter, J St.)
Caspian Tern-1 (D St. fill)
Short-eared Owl-1 (Sweetwater NWR)
Barn Swallow-3 (D St. fill)
Loggerhead Shrike-1 (Sweetwater NWR)
Yellow Warbler-1 (male, 5th St.)
Pine Warbler-1 (Friendship Park)
Green-tailed Towhee-1 (F St. marsh)

Good Birding!

Jay Desgrosellier
San Diego, CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Folks, I just killed several messages (some not nice) about the use of 
4 letter codes, so I've declared the THREAD CLOSED.

I would encourgae that most people write out the complete name at least 
one time in their message before going to the 4 letter code.

Doug Aguillard
San Diego, CA
doug AT basiclink.com

This thread is declared closed as it does not follow the guidelines for 
SDBirds.

REMINDERR- A proper signature is required at the end of all post.

Douglas Aguillard
SDBirds Listowner
San Diego, CA
doug AT basiclink.com

It seems to me that if ones delete key works for four letter 
acronyms, then it should work for the occasional forgotten posting 
signature.  

As far as the four letter acronyms go, they're pure, unadulterated 
ego. They're simply an artifact of those in this hobby who are 
compelled to act in a pedantic, 'birdier than thou' manner. It serves 
to exclude those new to this hobby and, as such, they are better 
reserved to use in some silly and private 'My List is Bigger than 
Your's' forum than a public forum like this, which it seems to me is 
intended to PROMOTE active birding, something snippy cracks and 
acronyms DON'T do. Personally, I don't care how long anyones lists 
are, a long list doesn't excuse snottiness and pedantry, whether in 
the field or on a board.

Oh, and the idea that someone who doesn't live in San Diego County is 
somehow less worthy than one who does.....more nonsense. 

John Afdem
Los Angeles, CA.

-- In SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com, "Ann P. Dunham"  wrote:
>
> It really annoys me when people don't sign their posts and give 
their 
> city and state as REQUIRED by this listserve.  
> 
> As for people who use "4 letter codes", I find that the delete 
button 
> on my computer works just fine.  I recommend that "tsuru_888", who 
I 
> understand doesn't even live in San Diego County, give it a try.
> 
> Ann P. Dunham
> Encinitas
> 
> --- In SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com, tsuru_888 AT  wrote:
> >
> > Actually wanted to go to the whole listserv -- not you 
specifically 
> at all
> > 
> > I'Ve birded my whole life (48 yrs now) and this whole acronym 
thing 
> is silly.  We never needed it before.  And with the way they keep 
> changing the names as well the acronymers (new word?!) Will really 
> have problems.
> > 
> > Akll I'm saying is if people have so much time and energy to 
write 
> these long posts going on and on about their personal forays and so 
> often little about the birds why can't they just spell out the name?
> > 
> > I have little time also so actually get anoyed reading on and on 
> about nothing trying to dig through it all to find what bird they 
> saw!!!
> > 
> > Use space and energy up front tellkiunfg all readers the bird, 
> place, etc and then down below write the 'book' for those who have 
> the time to read the novel!
> > 
> > Thx for listening!!
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:  
> > 
> > Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:25:18 
> > To:tsuru_888 AT 
> > Subject: Re: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes
> > 
> > 
> > Boy, that really set you off!  I tend to agree, especially if you 
> use the wrong one and confuse others.
> > 
> > ---- tsuru_888 AT  wrote: 
> > > Why don't people quit being so damn lazy aand spell it out!!!
> > > So many have sOoooooo much eneergy to talk (write) on and on 
all 
> about everything in the world that often has liitle to do with the 
> bird, place, and directions you'd think they could just spell out 
the 
> bird!!
> > > Or is this an ego thing -- see - I know the  acronymns and I'm 
so 
> smart and if you don,t know then either tough or go look it up?
> > > 
> > > Get off your butts and spell it out along with all the other 
> trivial stuff that comes in these posts that weveryone has the time 
> and energy to type in.
> > > 
> > > Good birding (the old fashioned way)
> > > 
> > > Monte Taylor
> > > Orange Cty
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: 
> > > 
> > > Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:25:17 
> > > To:"SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com" 
> > > Subject: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes
> > > 
> > > 
> > > I think we should agree on which codes are for which bird 
species-
> -especially since so many people use them on thie listserv.  
> > > 
> > > I found a website which seems to have them all for North 
America.
> > > 
> > > http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa011601a.htm
> > > 
> > > It may not be the best.
> > > 
> > > For example, California Gnatcatcher is CAGN for the bulk of us, 
> even though you may personally prefer CAGC.  I, too, use my 
> preferences for my own records, but would like to know what the 
rest 
> of the world uses or has agreed on.  I like BCNH but wasn't sure 
> whether it should be BLNH or BCNI or ...  (That list, by the way, 
is 
> alphabetized for the code, NOT the name of the bird!)
> > > 
> > > Mona Baumgartel
> > > Encinitas
> > > 
> > > 
> > >  
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > 
> > > 
> > >
> >
>

 We found our first of Phil's "assigned bird" FOX SPARROW, scratching
like a chicken, in a very dark spot under pines, close to Lemonade
Berry cover. The only GOLDEN-CROWNED Sparrow seen was nearby.
 
Do to the clarity, it was an excellent day to try to see WHITE
THROATED SWIFT, our other "must get bird". Don Adams and I, and
Tom Blackman and John Morgan both saw 4 in separate sightings.

 Tom and John saw a flyby LONG-TAILED DUCK from the "new" lighthouse.
They had permission from the Coast Guard to bird there!

 Strangest of all, was a TIGHT, TIGHT, pack of about 160 or more RED
PHARALOPES!! Just beyond the kelp beds, I have no idea what they were
doing- but they churned and splashed water, flashed wings, jumped
up the entire time we watched them.

There was no sea bird migration today at all, unlike last year
when we counted thousands and thousands.

Joe



Joe Worley
Point Loma

Apparently, I was unclear and misunderstood. What I meant to say was that IF 
birder/posters choose to use the four-letter codes, they should use the codes 
the rest of us understand. I gave a website as a possible common reference. 
Note CAGC isn't there. 


I did not encourage use of the codes.  They are misused too much.

Many responses suggested that they wish people would NOT use those codes, are 
angered by those who do, and delete those messages from people who do. 
Therefore, typing out the whole name is the preferred method, especially if you 
want others to understand. 


Mona Baumgartel
Encinitas

We held our 38th CBC today. The weather was about perfect. We picked up 79
species which ties our species record set in 2003. Once counter hasn't
reported yet so there's still a chance at breaking the record. Highlights
include: gyrfalcon, gray catbird, spotted towhee, a preliminary 26
Townsend's solitaires, and five species of owls (great horned, short-eared
(7), long-eared (2), northern sawhet (3), and eastern screech-owl). Missing
again is the black-billed magpie, once found every year on this CBC but not
seen on count day since 2003 when we had 2.  I'll post the final results
later. 

Black-billed Magpie on the Pierre CBC: 


Doug Backlund
Pierre, S.D. 

It really annoys me when people don't sign their posts and give their 
city and state as REQUIRED by this listserve.  

As for people who use "4 letter codes", I find that the delete button 
on my computer works just fine.  I recommend that "tsuru_888", who I 
understand doesn't even live in San Diego County, give it a try.

Ann P. Dunham
Encinitas

--- In SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com, tsuru_888 AT ... wrote:
>
> Actually wanted to go to the whole listserv -- not you specifically 
at all
> 
> I'Ve birded my whole life (48 yrs now) and this whole acronym thing 
is silly.  We never needed it before.  And with the way they keep 
changing the names as well the acronymers (new word?!) Will really 
have problems.
> 
> Akll I'm saying is if people have so much time and energy to write 
these long posts going on and on about their personal forays and so 
often little about the birds why can't they just spell out the name?
> 
> I have little time also so actually get anoyed reading on and on 
about nothing trying to dig through it all to find what bird they 
saw!!!
> 
> Use space and energy up front tellkiunfg all readers the bird, 
place, etc and then down below write the 'book' for those who have 
the time to read the novel!
> 
> Thx for listening!!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:  
> 
> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:25:18 
> To:tsuru_888 AT ...
> Subject: Re: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes
> 
> 
> Boy, that really set you off!  I tend to agree, especially if you 
use the wrong one and confuse others.
> 
> ---- tsuru_888 AT ... wrote: 
> > Why don't people quit being so damn lazy aand spell it out!!!
> > So many have sOoooooo much eneergy to talk (write) on and on all 
about everything in the world that often has liitle to do with the 
bird, place, and directions you'd think they could just spell out the 
bird!!
> > Or is this an ego thing -- see - I know the  acronymns and I'm so 
smart and if you don,t know then either tough or go look it up?
> > 
> > Get off your butts and spell it out along with all the other 
trivial stuff that comes in these posts that weveryone has the time 
and energy to type in.
> > 
> > Good birding (the old fashioned way)
> > 
> > Monte Taylor
> > Orange Cty
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: 
> > 
> > Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:25:17 
> > To:"SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com" 
> > Subject: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes
> > 
> > 
> > I think we should agree on which codes are for which bird species-
-especially since so many people use them on thie listserv.  
> > 
> > I found a website which seems to have them all for North America.
> > 
> > http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa011601a.htm
> > 
> > It may not be the best.
> > 
> > For example, California Gnatcatcher is CAGN for the bulk of us, 
even though you may personally prefer CAGC.  I, too, use my 
preferences for my own records, but would like to know what the rest 
of the world uses or has agreed on.  I like BCNH but wasn't sure 
whether it should be BLNH or BCNI or ...  (That list, by the way, is 
alphabetized for the code, NOT the name of the bird!)
> > 
> > Mona Baumgartel
> > Encinitas
> > 
> > 
> >  
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > 
> >
>

I actually have fun trying to decipher some of the acronyms. Kinda 
reminds me of those mental exercise books to keep the mind sharp.

-- 
Christopher Taylor
Marina del Rey, CA
www.kiwifoto.com



-----Original Message-----
From: tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com [mailto:tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com]
To mona.baumgartel AT cox.net
Sent: Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 08:27 PM (PST)
Subject: Re: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes [3.3K]
Message-Id: <--cardhu_decombo
Actually wanted to go to the whole listserv -- not you specifically at all

I'Ve birded my whole life (48 yrs now) and this whole acronym thing is silly. 
We never needed it before. And with the way they keep changing the names as 
well the acronymers (new word?!) Will really have problems. 


Akll I'm saying is if people have so much time and energy to write these long 
posts going on and on about their personal forays and so often little about the 
birds why can't they just spell out the name? 


I have little time also so actually get anoyed reading on and on about nothing 
trying to dig through it all to find what bird they saw!!! 


Use space and energy up front tellkiunfg all readers the bird, place, etc and 
then down below write the 'book' for those who have the time to read the novel! 


Thx for listening!!




Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From:  

Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:25:18 
To:tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes


Boy, that really set you off! I tend to agree, especially if you use the wrong 
one and confuse others. 


---- tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com wrote: 
> Why don't people quit being so damn lazy aand spell it out!!!
> So many have sOoooooo much eneergy to talk (write) on and on all about 
everything in the world that often has liitle to do with the bird, place, and 
directions you'd think they could just spell out the bird!! 

> Or is this an ego thing -- see - I know the acronymns and I'm so smart and if 
you don,t know then either tough or go look it up? 

> 
> Get off your butts and spell it out along with all the other trivial stuff 
that comes in these posts that weveryone has the time and energy to type in. 

> 
> Good birding (the old fashioned way)
> 
> Monte Taylor
> Orange Cty
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: 
> 
> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:25:17 
> To:"SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com" 
> Subject: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes
> 
> 
> I think we should agree on which codes are for which bird species--especially 
since so many people use them on thie listserv. 

> 
> I found a website which seems to have them all for North America.
> 
> http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa011601a.htm
> 
> It may not be the best.
> 
> For example, California Gnatcatcher is CAGN for the bulk of us, even though 
you may personally prefer CAGC. I, too, use my preferences for my own records, 
but would like to know what the rest of the world uses or has agreed on. I like 
BCNH but wasn't sure whether it should be BLNH or BCNI or ... (That list, by 
the way, is alphabetized for the code, NOT the name of the bird!) 

> 
> Mona Baumgartel
> Encinitas
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 



 
Yahoo! Groups Links

Phil et al, sorry to have missed the compilation, but needed the time 
to cover area, hopefully these were relayed to you.
The following were observed this morning at Naval Air Station North 
Island - although public access is restricted, I'm posting them for 
those with military access and since it is highly likely that most 
move back & forth between the base & residential Coronado, 
particularly along Coronado Ave & at the ends of 6th & 8th Streets:

gray flycatcher - ENE edge of golf course then crossed perimeter road 
& fence to SW end of 8th St in Coronado
Nashville warbler - female-type in large ficus, north end breakers 
beach parking lot
yellow warbler - bright female, along ESE edge of golf course, NW of 
south gate
Wilson's warbler - at least one each male & female along NE edge of 
golf course
western tanager - bright female-type in flowering eucalyptus, ENE 
golf course
Bullock's oriole - very drab female-type in eucalyptus adjacent NE 
corner of golf course

black oystercatcher - 2 on Zuniga jetty (2 seen concurrently, at 
least 3 suspected present)
red knot - not rare, but sometimes missed for the CBC - 24 along the 
beach w of breakers beach
surfbird - again not rare, but sometimes missed - 3 along the beach 
west of breakers beach
mew gull - yet again, not rare, etc - 5 west of breakers beach

Those seen near the NE corner of the golf course were confirmed by 
Elizabeth Copper, Lea Squires, & photographed by Matt Sadowski.  Matt 
& I also thought we heard a vireo in the area, but could not refind 
it.  Elizabeth reported a plumbeous vireo in the area, seen from the 
residential Coronado side (Coronado Ave between 6th & 8th Sts), as 
well as pacific slope flycatcher, yellow warblers, Nashville warbler, 
Wilson's warbler, summer tanager, & hooded oriole.

Robert Patton
San Diego, CA

I birded San Onofre State Beach at the northern end of the county 
yesterday. I observed about a half dozen Yellow Rumped Warblers in the 
underbrush between the beach and the cliffs. I also noted a California 
Thrasher, a California Towhee and several Anna's Hummingbirds.
John Day

At 9:30 AM this morning, met the CBC team covering Balboa Park and we observed 
the Olive- 

Sided Flycatcher flying between the two pins indicated on the map which I 
posted yesterday. 

Prominent white rump tufts closely match the juvenile picture in Sibley. 

Christopher Adler 
adler AT alum.mit.edu
www.christopheradler.com

refound terry hunfelds ybsa, bird seen on nature trail near south-east 
end of rv park, the nature trail is the one that goes along small 
stream. What looked to be the same bird was seen 45 minutes later near 
the lake, in the pines down hill from day use bathrooms,  A RED NAPED 
SAPSUCHER was seen in this area by Vince Kalaher, This seems to be a 
sapsucker hot spot judging by all the sapsucker holes in the pine trees.
MOUNTAIN CHICADEE seen and heard in the thick grove of trees in the 
gully that runs along Guajomi lake street
2 PHAINOPEPLA male and female south of gazebo, they were there 
yesterday and I saw one a month ago in same spot so they should be 
there for christmas count
this is probably old news but just in case, there were 2 SNOW GEESE 
and 1 ROSS`S GOOSE with the domesic geese
any questions email me    steve

steve brad
leucadia

Monte Taylor's points on 4 letter bird acronyms are right on the money. 

I used them during a 5 month long USFWS bird study 30 years ago in a remote 
part of Alaska. I knew them well. We were forced to use them on huge data sets 
sent back to the HQ. Modern data collection advancements make them unnecessary 
and confusing. 


Now that I think about it, if I don't know the code right off, and I am not 
really interested in the record, I ignore the post. 


I admit they have rarely slipped into my posts, but now that I consider Monte's 
points, please shoot me if I ever use them again. 


Paul Jorgensen
Borrego Springs


 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com 
  To: mona.baumgartel AT cox.net ; sdbirds AT yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 8:27 PM
  Subject: [SPAM] Re: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes


  Actually wanted to go to the whole listserv -- not you specifically at all 

 I'Ve birded my whole life (48 yrs now) and this whole acronym thing is silly. 
We never needed it before. And with the way they keep changing the names as 
well the acronymers (new word?!) Will really have problems. 


 Akll I'm saying is if people have so much time and energy to write these long 
posts going on and on about their personal forays and so often little about the 
birds why can't they just spell out the name? 


 I have little time also so actually get anoyed reading on and on about nothing 
trying to dig through it all to find what bird they saw!!! 


 Use space and energy up front tellkiunfg all readers the bird, place, etc and 
then down below write the 'book' for those who have the time to read the novel! 


  Thx for listening!! 




  Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry 

  -----Original Message----- 
  From:  

  Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:25:18 
  To:tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com 
  Subject: Re: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes 


 Boy, that really set you off! I tend to agree, especially if you use the wrong 
one and confuse others. 


  ---- tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com wrote: 
  > Why don't people quit being so damn lazy aand spell it out!!! 
 > So many have sOoooooo much eneergy to talk (write) on and on all about 
everything in the world that often has liitle to do with the bird, place, and 
directions you'd think they could just spell out the bird!! 

 > Or is this an ego thing -- see - I know the acronymns and I'm so smart and 
if you don,t know then either tough or go look it up? 

  > 
 > Get off your butts and spell it out along with all the other trivial stuff 
that comes in these posts that weveryone has the time and energy to type in. 

  > 
  > Good birding (the old fashioned way) 
  > 
  > Monte Taylor 
  > Orange Cty 
  > 
  > 
  > 
  > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry 
  > 
  > -----Original Message----- 
  > From:  
  > 
  > Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:25:17 
  > To:"SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com"  
  > Subject: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes 
  > 
  > 
 > I think we should agree on which codes are for which bird 
species--especially since so many people use them on thie listserv. 

  > 
  > I found a website which seems to have them all for North America. 
  > 
  > http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa011601a.htm 
  > 
  > It may not be the best. 
  > 
 > For example, California Gnatcatcher is CAGN for the bulk of us, even though 
you may personally prefer CAGC. I, too, use my preferences for my own records, 
but would like to know what the rest of the world uses or has agreed on. I like 
BCNH but wasn't sure whether it should be BLNH or BCNI or ... (That list, by 
the way, is alphabetized for the code, NOT the name of the bird!) 

  > 
  > Mona Baumgartel 
  > Encinitas 
  > 
  > 
  > 
  > Yahoo! Groups Links 
  > 
  > 
  > 



   

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

A Green-tailed Towhee, 2 Lincoln Sparrows, and 2 Golden-crowned 
Sparrows were present at a brush pile and feeding station in a private 
yard at the corner of Elm and 31st, in the neighborhood of South Park 
(near Balboa Park), at 0700 hr today. There is a small canyon behind 
the yard.

Unable to do the count today � good birding to all of you doing the CBC.

Michelle Matson
San Diego 
matson001 AT cox.net

The osprey have started a new nest where the old was was taken down 
earlier this year. The tri-colored heron was back at the western end of 
the south side of the river by Robb field and the white pelicans have 
moved on. Clapper rail in the reeds north of the road at Famosa Slough.
Jim Pea

Actually wanted to go to the whole listserv -- not you specifically at all

I'Ve birded my whole life (48 yrs now) and this whole acronym thing is silly. 
We never needed it before. And with the way they keep changing the names as 
well the acronymers (new word?!) Will really have problems. 


Akll I'm saying is if people have so much time and energy to write these long 
posts going on and on about their personal forays and so often little about the 
birds why can't they just spell out the name? 


I have little time also so actually get anoyed reading on and on about nothing 
trying to dig through it all to find what bird they saw!!! 


Use space and energy up front tellkiunfg all readers the bird, place, etc and 
then down below write the 'book' for those who have the time to read the novel! 


Thx for listening!!




Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From:  

Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:25:18 
To:tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes


Boy, that really set you off! I tend to agree, especially if you use the wrong 
one and confuse others. 


---- tsuru_888 AT yahoo.com wrote: 
> Why don't people quit being so damn lazy aand spell it out!!!
> So many have sOoooooo much eneergy to talk (write) on and on all about 
everything in the world that often has liitle to do with the bird, place, and 
directions you'd think they could just spell out the bird!! 

> Or is this an ego thing -- see - I know the acronymns and I'm so smart and if 
you don,t know then either tough or go look it up? 

> 
> Get off your butts and spell it out along with all the other trivial stuff 
that comes in these posts that weveryone has the time and energy to type in. 

> 
> Good birding (the old fashioned way)
> 
> Monte Taylor
> Orange Cty
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: 
> 
> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:25:17 
> To:"SDBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com" 
> Subject: [SDBIRDS] Four-letter bird codes
> 
> 
> I think we should agree on which codes are for which bird species--especially 
since so many people use them on thie listserv. 

> 
> I found a website which seems to have them all for North America.
> 
> http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa011601a.htm
> 
> It may not be the best.
> 
> For example, California Gnatcatcher is CAGN for the bulk of us, even though 
you may personally prefer CAGC. I, too, use my preferences for my own records, 
but would like to know what the rest of the world uses or has agreed on. I like 
BCNH but wasn't sure whether it should be BLNH or BCNI or ... (That list, by 
the way, is alphabetized for the code, NOT the name of the bird!) 

> 
> Mona Baumgartel
> Encinitas
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 

Birded FRNC today with an out-of-town friend, and found it strangely empty of 
even many of the most common birds. The very bright Grace's Warbler, however, 
was active in plain sight in the usual pines along the northern fence line. 


Bill Doyle
La Jolla

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Mesa College Ospreys have begun nesting activities on the light 
pole?site?over the 



football field.? The male flies to/from the San Diego River and Mission Bay for 
fish. 



?


?


Tim Plunkett


On Tecolote Canyon


thaiyai AT san.rr.com


?


________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - 
http://webmail.aol.com 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dear birders,

I observed what I think is an Olive-Sided Flycatcher this morning from 10:30am
-11:30am in Balboa Park. I've posted a few hasty pictures here, taken without a 

telephoto lens:

http://beuys.sandiego.edu/~cadler/OliveSidedPix.html

The location is the West side of park, in the canyon closest to Olive St. I've 
marked the location on this map (the northerly pin):

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?

ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=.0004412f71d6ad6229d59
&t=h&z=18&om=1

(The other pin on the map is where I observed the bird on Wednesday morning, 
but without a camera so I was reluctant to post without confirmation.)

The bird moved between the tops of an oak tree and nearby pine tree as was 
there when I left at 11:30. 

According to Unitt's atlas, the bird hasn't been seen in winter since 1983 so 
I'd 

be very grateful for confirmation. 


Thanks!

Christopher Adler

..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
.....  christopher adler  ... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....  www.christopheradler.com  ..
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... ..... ..  adler AT alum.mit.edu  ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

I think we should agree on which codes are for which bird species--especially 
since so many people use them on thie listserv. 


I found a website which seems to have them all for North America.

http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa011601a.htm

It may not be the best.

For example, California Gnatcatcher is CAGN for the bulk of us, even though you 
may personally prefer CAGC. I, too, use my preferences for my own records, but 
would like to know what the rest of the world uses or has agreed on. I like 
BCNH but wasn't sure whether it should be BLNH or BCNI or ... (That list, by 
the way, is alphabetized for the code, NOT the name of the bird!) 


Mona Baumgartel
Encinitas

Dear birders,

I observed what I think is an Olive-Sided Flycatcher this morning from 
10:30am-11:30am in Balboa Park. I've posted a few hasty pictures here, taken 
without a telephoto lens: 


http://beuys.sandiego.edu/~cadler/OliveSidedPix.html

The location is the West side of park, in the canyon closest to Olive St. I've 
marked the location on this map (the northerly pin): 



http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=.0004412f71d6ad6229d59&t=h&z=18&om=1 


(The other pin on the map is where I observed the bird on Wednesday morning, 
but without a camera so I was reluctant to post without confirmation.) 


The bird moved between the tops of an oak tree and nearby pine tree as was 
there when I left at 11:30. 


According to Unitt's atlas, the bird was seen only once in winter in 1983 so 
I'd be very grateful for confirmation. 


Thanks!

Christopher Adler
adler AT alum.mit.edu

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sorry for the late request, I know that many of you will be very busy 
prepping and participating in the SD CBC tomorrow, have fun and good 
luck to all of you.  I hope that I can get some help on finding a few 
birds in the area and perhaps some ideas on what route(s) I should take 
on my one free day of birding in the San Diego area, tomorrow.

Birds I would like to see (besides birds listed in the RBA sheet)

Eared Grebe
Mew Gull
Greater Roadrunner
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Pinyon Jay
Verdin
White-throated Swift
Cactus, Rock and Canyon Wren
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Phainopepla
Oriole spp (except Hooded)
Brewer's Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red Crossbill
Lawerence's Goldfinch

Thanks so much.  Perhaps I will be able to return the favor in SW AL 
sometime.

Chazz Hesselein
Mobile, AL