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12 May Black-throated sparrow ["opalflyer" ] 10 May [Fwd: [nwcalbird] Franklin Gulls] [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 10 May Re: another bird id :) [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 10 May another bird id :) ["maniacmomd" ] 9 May Phainopepla ["Phillip Aldrich" ] 8 May Tehama Tricolors ["Bruce Deuel" ] 7 May Wintu Audubon Meeting - Tuesday May 13, 2008 [Mike Damoth ] 6 May Anderson River Park ["Phillip Aldrich" ] 4 May Yellow-billed Magpies nesting in Bella Vista [Larry A Siemens ] 03 May Yellow-breasted Chats ["noprobo1" ] 1 May Hybrid Warblers ["Barbara Peck" ] 01 May Western Tanagers ["Brad Dupre" ] 30 Apr mammals & birds & wishes [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 30 Apr Interesting Story ["Santry, Rob" ] 30 Apr Eurasian Collared Dove in Anderson ["Ken Bachman" ] 29 Apr Re: Geese flying north [Mike Damoth ] 29 Apr What a Humdinger day! [Sheila Rogers ] 29 Apr grosbeaks ["opalflyer" ] 28 Apr Re: Geese flying north ["Bruce Deuel" ] 28 Apr Geese flying north ["Brad Dupre" ] 26 Apr Owls in Anderson River Park ["Phillip Aldrich" ] 26 Apr Tri-colored Blackbirds at Clover Creek [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 26 Apr Today's Wintu Field Trip to Millville Plains, Parkville Road, Ash Creek & Wildcat Road [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 26 Apr Red-shouldered Hawks have chicks! ["Larry Jordan" ] 26 Apr Bird call? ["hummer532000" ] 25 Apr Grackle at Simpson ["Larry Siemens" ] 25 Apr American Bittern in breeding plumage? ["Ken Bachman" ] 24 Apr Past Week's Sightings ["Barbara Peck" ] 24 Apr Birding the Sacramento River Trail ["Bill Oliver" ] 23 Apr Tehama County Least Flycatcher? ["JOHN STERLING" ] 23 Apr Tehama County Least Flycatcher? ["JOHN STERLING" ] 23 Apr Vaux's Swifts ["Bruun, Raymond (CDPH-DDWEM)" ] 23 Apr Kutras Lake - Caspian Terns [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 22 Apr Costa's Hummingbird? ["Ken Burton" ] 22 Apr Photographing Hummers [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 22 Apr Fighting Hawks ["noprobo1" ] 22 Apr Calliope Hummers & FOS Western Tanager ["cyerion" ] 21 Apr mockingbird ["maniacmomd" ] 21 Apr Re: Gold Finches ["Bruce Deuel" ] 21 Apr Re: Gold Finches [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 21 Apr Re: another picture [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 21 Apr Wintu Audubon French Gulch Outing ["Santry, Rob" ] 21 Apr another picture ["maniacmomd" ] 21 Apr bird id ["maniacmomd" ] 21 Apr Gold Finches [] 20 Apr Re: American Goldfinch [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 20 Apr American Goldfinch ["slmoulton92392" ] 20 Apr Black-chinned Hummingbirds ["adamfam147" ] 19 Apr Lema Ranch nestbox monitoring update ["Larry Jordan" ] 19 Apr Western Kingbirds and Ash-throated Flycatchers ["Larry Jordan" ] 19 Apr Re: Eurasian Collared-Dove in Burney and Eaglets at Turtle Bay ["Larry Jordan" ] 16 Apr Lema Ranch ["ddailey64" ] Subject: Black-throated sparrow From: "opalflyer" <opalflyer AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 00:27:01 -0000 Hi All, Saturday two "new" birds were bathing in my little pond, the sparrow and a Lazuli Bunting. The male sparrow was around long enough for me to check 3 bird books, confirming ID. FOS male western tanager arrived today. Wonderful birdy weekend here in Cassel. barbara Subject: [Fwd: [nwcalbird] Franklin Gulls] From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <BobY AT clearwire.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 10:45:31 -0700 For anyone who wants to see Franklin's Gulls without chasing around Klamath Refuge for hours to find them - this sure seems like a great opportunity. This is due east out of Yreka. Wish I could get away! Bob -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [nwcalbird] Franklin Gulls Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 16:48:47 -0000 From: james3flett Reply-To: nwcalbird AT yahoogroups.com To: nwcalbird AT yahoogroups.com Jim Flett reports from Siskiyou County 23 Franklin Gulls in Shasta Valley near Oberlin Rd. and Delphic 650 Franklins in Klamath Basin in fields below Indian Camp Golf Course at the turn off to Tulelake Refuge Headquarters. Both are County records for the numbers seen. ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: Re: another bird id :) From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT shasta.com> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 09:24:55 -0700 You have a very heavily molting American Goldfinch male. The head markings, yellowish-orange bill and wing markings are what gives it away. Fill in the remaining parts of the bird with bright yellow and you have it. Bob maniacmomd wrote: > > Hi everyone. you all were so much help with my mockingbird that I > thought I would check with you, once again. > > A, what I think was a juvenile, goldfinch came into one of the feeders > this morning. I'm just not sure what goldfinch it is. Can anyone tell? > > I also posted a picture of the owl at Anderson River Park. The babe is > really hard to get a picture of since it is well hidden. It's still > covered with down though. :) > > We've also finally got some Bullocks Orioles in the yard and a pair of > black headed grosbeaks visit daily. > > thanks in advance. :) > > Denise > > Subject: another bird id :) From: "maniacmomd" <runciman AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 15:41:08 -0000 Hi everyone. you all were so much help with my mockingbird that I thought I would check with you, once again. A, what I think was a juvenile, goldfinch came into one of the feeders this morning. I'm just not sure what goldfinch it is. Can anyone tell? I also posted a picture of the owl at Anderson River Park. The babe is really hard to get a picture of since it is well hidden. It's still covered with down though. :) We've also finally got some Bullocks Orioles in the yard and a pair of black headed grosbeaks visit daily. thanks in advance. :) Denise Subject: Phainopepla From: "Phillip Aldrich" <lindaandphil AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 12:50:06 -0800 Hi, Birders! Today (Friday 5/9) between noon and 1:00 pm, I saw one female and one male Phainopepla at Mary Lake. They were hawking for insects in tall trees between the road and the lake near the picnic tables. Good Birding! Linda ********************** Linda Aldrich LindaAndPhil AT earthlink.net (530) 365-6770 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tehama Tricolors From: "Bruce Deuel" <bkrdeuel AT snowcrest.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 19:31:49 -0700 Hi all, This morning a flock of 150 Tricolored Blackbirds flew over the Holiday Market parking lot, practically in downtown Red Bluff. They were headed north. Any one know of any current nesting colonies in Tehama County? Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Wintu Audubon Meeting - Tuesday May 13, 2008 From: Mike Damoth <mikedamoth AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 14:06:07 -0700 (PDT) Tuesday May 13, 2008 Wintu Audubon Society General Meeting Program Alicia Young will provide a short presentation on the PRBO involvement for riparian restoration along Clear Creek with a goal of providing high quality bird habitat. She will show slides of “birds in hand” from this local project to improve Clear Creek riparian zones. She will also share some slides of birds from her recent work in Costa Rica and Australia . Alicia Young is a Terrestrial Ecologist with PRBO Conservation Science. Please put this date on your calendar and plan on joining us for this informative and fun program. The Wintu Audubon meetings are held at the Turtle Bay Visitors Center in Redding at 7 PM. The meetings are open to the public and are free of charge. This is our last general meeting for the year. Come, have fun, meet some new friends.See you there! Mike  Mike Damoth Palo Cedro, CA ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:shasta_birders-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:shasta_birders-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: shasta_birders-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Anderson River Park From: "Phillip Aldrich" <lindaandphil AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 16:29:17 -0800 Hi, Birders! Cathy Santry and I birded Anderson River Park this morning. I saw my first of season (FOS) Wilson's Warbler (there were many) and Cathy saw her FOS Ash-throated Flycatcher. There was a flock of Cedar Waxwings - have they been especially numerous this season, or have I just been at the right spot at the right time? The Great Horned Owlet was still in the nest, but is big enough that the parent sits outside on a near-by branch. Also saw Ospreys in their nest on the sports field lights, young (short-tailed) Magpies, Wood Ducks and "the ususal suspects." Good Birding! Linda Aldrich ********************** Linda Aldrich LindaAndPhil AT earthlink.net (530) 365-6770 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yellow-billed Magpies nesting in Bella Vista From: Larry A Siemens <lsiemens1 AT juno.com> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 19:40:13 -0700 The Yellow-billed Magpies seem to be sitting on eggs in the nest top the Digger Pine on the south side of Hidden Acres off Old Alturas Road. The tree is green at the bottom but dead at the top. Also saw Earuasian Collared Dove in the same area and a pair of Western Kingbirds chasing a crow and making contact during their dive bombings. Larry Siemens Bella Vista Subject: Yellow-breasted Chats From: "noprobo1" <noprobo1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 19:16:37 -0000 Hi Everyone, While playing golf today at Tierra Oaks in North east Redding I could hear lots of Yellow-breasted Chats. I saw one but heard several, they are easier to hear than see. They seem to like it along Stillwater cr. which runs through the golf course. Tim Boehme Redding, Ca. Subject: Hybrid Warblers From: "Barbara Peck" <bapeck AT jeffnet.org> Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 21:48:17 -0700 There was a nice variety of warblers at Anderson River Park this past Sunday morning, including at least 2 male warblers that I believe were Townsend-Hermit hybrids, the less typical form. The breast and belly lacked any yellow. The faint yellow in these photos should be reflection from the leaves. These are posted in a folder on yahoo groups named hybrid warblers. Here's a link. http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/photos/browse/195e Other warblers that day were Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warblers, a couple of Nashville Warblers, several Orange-crowns, and a couple of Wilson's Warblers. Warbling Vireos were about too. Near home, a Cassin's Vires was singing. Barbara Peck Anderson, CA (Shasta County) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Western Tanagers From: "Brad Dupre" <abynrml2 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 20:57:28 -0000 I had two male Western Tanagers in my yard. They were gone before I could get a photograph. These were the first of the season for my place in Summit City. peace...brad Subject: mammals & birds & wishes From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <BobY AT clearwire.net> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:21:45 -0700 Hello birders, We have had repeated sporadic showings by two female Calliope Hummers for about one week now. On the way to our home in Old Shasta Monday night, about a mile from our house, we saw two what appeared to be furry dogs on the right side of the road near a bridge and creek crossing. Then Carol noted a bigger animal on the more wooded and wild side of the road. We slowed the car and observed two fuzzy very large cats - Mountain Lion - cubs with the presumed mother adult on the other side of the road. The younguns scampered across the road through our headlights and we tooted the horn to warn them to stay away from roads and people. How fantastic - only the second time we have seen Mountain Lion in the county and both were on the way to our house. We were thrilled to say the least. On another front - Black-bellied Plovers are being seen just south of us and spring is the best time to see them in our county. So has anyone been to the sewer ponds or checked Fall River for wet fields? Please let me know if you see one. Keep lookin' up, Bob Subject: Interesting Story From: "Santry, Rob" <rsantry AT ci.redding.ca.us> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:48:39 -0700 Mom said "Chew all your Food Before Swallowing!" http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353420,00.html Subject: Eurasian Collared Dove in Anderson From: "Ken Bachman" <ken.bachman AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:46:43 -0000 Hi all, While on a morning walk around our neighborhood today, my wife and I came across an Eurasian Collared-Dove near the corner of Shelley Lane and Lalley Lane in Anderson. It most likely won't be long before they are fairly common in the North Valley. Ken Bachman Anderson, CA Subject: Re: Geese flying north From: Mike Damoth <mikedamoth AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:47:10 -0700 (PDT) I heard them flying over early the other morning, too. They had the Greater White squeaky honk. We also saw large flocks last weekend on the way back from Sacramento. MikeyD  Mike Damoth Palo Cedro, CA ----- Original Message ---- From: Bruce Deuel To: shasta_birders AT yahoogroups.com; Brad Dupre Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 2:16:19 PM Subject: Re: [shasta_birders] Geese flying north I saw and heard a couple of thousand this morning over my neighborhood west of Red Bluff. They are Greater White-fronted Geese, typically the last geese to leave the Central Valley in spring (and the first to arrive in fall). Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brad Dupre" To: Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 10:22 AM Subject: [shasta_birders] Geese flying north > In the last 3 days I have seen over a thousand geese flying north over > my house in Summit City. I don't know what kind they are. Has anyone > else been seeing them? > > peace...brad > > > ------------ --------- --------- ------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.23.4/1394 - Release Date: 4/23/2008 > 7:16 PM > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: What a Humdinger day! From: Sheila Rogers <sheilarogers AT charter.net> Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:39:57 -0700 This little baby hummer has been visiting every day, but he was so exhausted he was too poop to pop or fly away. So I grabbed my little hummer feeder, while DH grabbed the camera My First Encounter of the close up kind!! What a Thrill:) http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x133/shastabug_2007/Hummer%20Encounter/ Subject: grosbeaks From: "opalflyer" <opalflyer AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:14:57 -0000 Greetings from Cassel. Three stunning, male Evening Grosbeaks just arrived. They are using the oriole nectar feeder, along with black-headed GB's that arrived last week. (I've only seen 1 oriole) A male yellow-rumped warbler blew in several days ago. Perhaps this constant wind is useful... barbara Subject: Re: Geese flying north From: "Bruce Deuel" <bkrdeuel AT snowcrest.net> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:16:19 -0700 I saw and heard a couple of thousand this morning over my neighborhood west of Red Bluff. They are Greater White-fronted Geese, typically the last geese to leave the Central Valley in spring (and the first to arrive in fall). Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brad Dupre" To: Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 10:22 AM Subject: [shasta_birders] Geese flying north > In the last 3 days I have seen over a thousand geese flying north over > my house in Summit City. I don't know what kind they are. Has anyone > else been seeing them? > > peace...brad > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.23.4/1394 - Release Date: 4/23/2008 > 7:16 PM > > Subject: Geese flying north From: "Brad Dupre" <abynrml2 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:22:25 -0000 In the last 3 days I have seen over a thousand geese flying north over my house in Summit City. I don't know what kind they are. Has anyone else been seeing them? peace...brad Subject: Owls in Anderson River Park From: "Phillip Aldrich" <lindaandphil AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:48:27 -0800 Hi, Birders! This morning, I got a clear view of a baby owl in the nest. Though still fuzzy, it has grown some feathers on its wings (couldn't see the back or tail). The adult bird was sitting on a small branch next to the nest. Went back this afternoon to show them to a couple of friends - the adult was in the nest and the baby wasn't visible. It may have been hunkered down in the bottom of the nest - or perhaps be out on a branch? H as anyone else seen it (or them)? The bushtits in the small tree near the entrance are still popping in and out of the nest frequently, presumably feeding chicks. In the p.m., we saw an Acorn Woodpecker exit a hole in the large dead cottonwood near where the trail splits, also a European Starling leave another hole in the same tree. Good Birding, Linda ********************** Linda Aldrich LindaAndPhil AT earthlink.net (530) 365-6770 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tri-colored Blackbirds at Clover Creek From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <BobY AT clearwire.net> Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:46:05 -0700 Hello birders, Paula Crumpton left me a message a few days ago (we were out of town) that she had 15 pairs of Tri-colored Blackbirds up close at Clover Creek. They were by the large pond that has all the cat-tails in it. The gravel path goes right by where they were. It would be good to keep tabs on them and regularly report sightings there. Bob Subject: Today's Wintu Field Trip to Millville Plains, Parkville Road, Ash Creek & Wildcat Road From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <BobY AT clearwire.net> Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:17:58 -0700 Greetings birders, Today's 1/2 day field trip to Millville Plains netted 10 of us a total of 59 species. 59 total species Best birds were: Grasshopper Sparrow, 1 singing & leisurely observed, Shammo Ranch Lewis's Woodpecker 40+ all along Parkville Road Northern Goshawk, Shammo Ranch Rock Wren (uncooperative with only a couple calls) Wildcat Road 2-3 Bald eagles 2 Osprey's on nest The singing Grasshopper Sparrow on the right just past Bear Creek Bridge & Shammo Ranch on Parkville Road. Our bird flew in to investigate the taped song and perched on the barb wire fence in front of the group showing pretty good looks for all. As if that wasn't enough, it then flew a short distance away and perched on some tall grass and allowed leisurely scope views for everyone! Of course, for those who could hear it - it was singing continuously. A nifty River Otter was seen below Bear Creek Bridge by part of the group. While many of us were still watching the sparrow and discussing the complexities of life, Carol picked out a long distance speck that looked interesting. At first appearance it looked like a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk but as it got closer and circled over us it showed the more shortish appearing tail of a Sharp-shinned Hawk on a notably larger bird. We all marveled at the whitish fluffy flank patches. Those patches kept showing more and more until they looked like two oval white patches alongside where the tail connects to the body. WOW! We had a female Goshawk! CHECK THE PHOTO SECTION OF SHASTA BIRDER'S - I just added two photos under Bob's Yutzy's Best Photos page 2, photos 23 & 24, showing a similar looking bird we had circling our house in Old Shasta one year. Check out those flank patches! "Missing in inaction" were Lawrence's Goldfinch - as we saw few goldfinches, a few Lesser's and only a small group of Americans. A pretty darn good day given the heat and the habitat. Bob & Carol Subject: Red-shouldered Hawks have chicks! From: "Larry Jordan" <soaringfalcon6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:29:19 -0000 Hi Everyone, The red-shouldered hawks I have been observing at Old 44 and Oak Run Road have chicks! I counted three for sure. They will hatch 2 - 5 eggs and the young will fledge at about six weeks. I think these are already a couple of weeks old. I would love to get some photos of them and will attempt some video when they are closer to fledging. Should be before the end of May. Anyone interested, I would be happy to show you the pair (especially if you have a digital camera with a telephoto lens ;-) Just kidding). Happy Birding, Larry Subject: Bird call? From: "hummer532000" <sheilarogers AT charter.net> Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:17:50 -0000 I hear a bird every day in the field behind me, it sounds like: Whip-her-will. I saw it in a tree, but it flew off before I could focus on it:( pretty large bird and it's driving me crazy not knowing what it is....anyone???? Sheila Redding, Ca Subject: Grackle at Simpson From: "Larry Siemens" <lsiemens AT simpsonuniversity.edu> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:19:08 -0700 A Great-tailed Grackle joined the red wings in the cottonwoods and willows around the pond on the Simpson University campus this morning, Friday. Larry Siemens Chemistry Simpson University Redding [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: American Bittern in breeding plumage? From: "Ken Bachman" <ken.bachman AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:05:27 -0000 Hi all, I birded the Kapusta Property this morning, and got 39 species. Lots of Warblers and also a surprising number of Lincoln Sparrows. But the most unusual was an American Bittern in what appeared to be breeding plumage. White cotton like feathers sticking out, made him look like a pillow that with losing some of it's stuffing. I've checked all of my field guides, and none of them show a Bittern in this type of plumage. It stood right in the open doing it's gulp-g-gulp mating call, and allowed me to take several pictures. I posted 3 of them in my photo album. Check them out. Ken Bachman Anderson, CA Subject: Past Week's Sightings From: "Barbara Peck" <bapeck AT jeffnet.org> Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:13:57 -0700 Hi all, Well, I finally saw my first Eurasian Collared Dove today in Anderson, but it was an expired bird. So we need to keep our eyes open. This bird was near the intersection of Dodson and Balls Ferry. 4/20 There were Vaux's Swifts in Anderson River Park on Sunday along with hundreds of swallows The swallows were mostly Violet-greens and Tree, plus smaller numbers of Rough-wings and Cliff swallows. There was a hatch of several different mayflies and little yellow stones during the cold windy weather. The swallows were abundant on Saturday too. Both days, they were feeding low over the surface of the water. 4/19 I heard a FOS Warbling Vireo for me in Anderson River Park. Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bullock's Orioles, and Ash-throated Flycatchers are present in the park in good numbers now. I've notice two Western Tanagers this past week. Barbara Peck Anderson, CA (Shasta County) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birding the Sacramento River Trail From: "Bill Oliver" <bxoliver AT c-zone.net> Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:50:36 -0700 In spite of the abundant bicyclists, joggers, and occasionally noisy teenagers, the Sacramento River Trail is a great place to bird. I spent 3 1/2 hours this morning hoping to hike the whole 5+ miles. The birding was so good that I only took in the first 1.7 miles before turning around. I tallied 41 species and got the following "first of spring" birds: Ash-throated Flycatcher Warbling Vireo MacGillivray's Warbler Wilson's Warbler Western Tanager Birding Well, Bill Oliver Redding [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tehama County Least Flycatcher? From: "JOHN STERLING" <ani AT cal.net> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:46:40 -0700 I am not entirely convinced that the Empidonax that was found in February in Tehama County was a Least Flycatcher. I was not able to look for the bird and identify it in the field, but Ken Bachman kindly sent two photos today. The bill seems too long, perhaps the tail is too long and the back was too bright green. I think it was a Dusky Flycatcher which is less likely in winter than Least in California. Dusky Flycatchers molt in their wintering grounds and this bird looks bright to me with fresh plumage. I compared Ken's photos with my recent photos of the relatively dull-colored Leasts on their wintering grounds in southern Mexico. The Tehama bird just doesn't look right for Least. The calls rule out Hammond's and Pacific-slope Flycatchers which are the most likely wintering Empidonax in the region. Todd Easterla and I saw and photographed a one-day wonder Dusky Flycatcher in Davis last winter and that is the only documented winter record that I know of for the Central Valley (or elsewhere in northern CA). I think that this bird needs a bit more scrutinizing before we can identify it accurately. I await comments from those that actually saw the bird in real life. John John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 ani AT cal.net From: Ken Bachman [mailto:ken.bachman AT yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:19 PM To: JOHN STERLING Subject: Re: your Least Flycatcher photo No problem, but they aren't great photos. Ken ----- Original Message ---- From: JOHN STERLING To: Ken Bachman Cc: Steve Glover Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 12:46:49 PM Subject: your Least Flycatcher photo Ken, Can you send Steve Glover and me a photo of the Least Flycatcher that you took in Tehama County? Thanks, John John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 ani AT cal.net _____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tehama County Least Flycatcher? From: "JOHN STERLING" <ani AT cal.net> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:46:40 -0700 I am not entirely convinced that the Empidonax that was found in February in Tehama County was a Least Flycatcher. I was not able to look for the bird and identify it in the field, but Ken Bachman kindly sent two photos today. The bill seems too long, perhaps the tail is too long and the back was too bright green. I think it was a Dusky Flycatcher which is less likely in winter than Least in California. Dusky Flycatchers molt in their wintering grounds and this bird looks bright to me with fresh plumage. I compared Ken's photos with my recent photos of the relatively dull-colored Leasts on their wintering grounds in southern Mexico. The Tehama bird just doesn't look right for Least. The calls rule out Hammond's and Pacific-slope Flycatchers which are the most likely wintering Empidonax in the region. Todd Easterla and I saw and photographed a one-day wonder Dusky Flycatcher in Davis last winter and that is the only documented winter record that I know of for the Central Valley (or elsewhere in northern CA). I think that this bird needs a bit more scrutinizing before we can identify it accurately. I await comments from those that actually saw the bird in real life. John John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 ani AT cal.net From: Ken Bachman [mailto:ken.bachman AT yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:19 PM To: JOHN STERLING Subject: Re: your Least Flycatcher photo No problem, but they aren't great photos. Ken ----- Original Message ---- From: JOHN STERLING To: Ken Bachman Cc: Steve Glover Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 12:46:49 PM Subject: your Least Flycatcher photo Ken, Can you send Steve Glover and me a photo of the Least Flycatcher that you took in Tehama County? Thanks, John John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 ani AT cal.net _____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Vaux's Swifts From: "Bruun, Raymond (CDPH-DDWEM)" <raymond.bruun AT cdph.ca.gov> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:59:19 -0700 Yesterday, I saw 50 to 100 Vaux's Swifts in Redding, 1/4 to 1/2-mile north of the Cypress Street bridge on the east side of the Sacramento River. Ray Bruun Shingletown/Redding *************************************************************** Ray Bruun, P.E. Associate Engineer California Department of Public Health Drinking Water Field Operations Branch Valley District (No. 21) 415 Knollcrest Drive, #110 Redding, CA 96002 p: (530) 224-3252 f: (530) 224-4844 e: rbruun AT cdph.ca.gov Subject: Kutras Lake - Caspian Terns From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:40:53 -0700 Hello all, Dennis Holmes phoned me last night to ask me to forward this info to the group. In the rain yesterday late he had 25 Caspian Terns near the swimming hole/small enclosed pond at the Kutras duck feeding area. They were sitting waiting out the rain. Probably the most ever together in the county. Bob Subject: Costa's Hummingbird? From: "Ken Burton" <brdnrd AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:49:45 -0700 This morning Debby Dailey and I saw what I believe was a juvenile COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD at the Coleman Fish Hatchery. It seemed to favor the feeder nearest the restrooms. Ken Burton McKinleyville Subject: Photographing Hummers From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:41:51 -0700 I emailed the following to Brad Dupre re photographing hummers and thought it might be of interest to a few others. Bob Yes, it is tough to photograph hummers. Some basics are - find their favorite perches - try to pre focus on that or those sites. I use totally automatic settings (trying to get high speed) and take zillions of digital pictures to get a few good ones - if I am lucky. Put up some twigs or perches a few feet away from your feeders if you don't have natural perches and pre focus on them. I try to sit quietly near the feeders and wait for a bird to perch and then take burst photos (as many photos as I can take at one time.) Sometimes taking photos using the corner of my house as a blind or something else as a blind helps. Probably my greatest aide has been a $15 shutter control cable. I set up the camera on a feeder - focus on it manually or automatically where I think the bird will sit, then go away and press the shutter release cable over and over. Then I go take out my memory card and check my pictures on the bigger computer screen. If they are in focus I leave everything as is and take more pictures. If not in focus I switch to the other setting - either manual or automatic - and try again. I keep this up til the pictures are what I want. I have done this for orioles, grosbeaks and hummers. In Arizona we set up a hummer feeder outside a window that opened and when they were used to it, I set a camera inside and focused on the feeder and snapped away. By the way I don't even try for flying hummers - I go for sitting birds. Hope that gives you some ideas. Bob Subject: Fighting Hawks From: "noprobo1" <noprobo1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:45:05 -0000 Hi Everyone, I got to witness a territorial battle between a Red tailed hawk and a Red shouldered hawk this morining on Boulder Cr.quite spectacular. They were in the air tangled together as they were dropping from the sky. They hit the ground and separated and flew in different directions. I noticed the Red shouldered landed in a near by Digger Pine and was yelling as if it had won. It didn't look to me like it got the better of the fight but the Red tail did fly off so maybe it won afterall. Also you could really see the size difference when they were so close together. Tim Boehme Redding, Ca. Subject: Calliope Hummers & FOS Western Tanager From: "cyerion" <sealions AT c-zone.net> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:04:39 -0000 Hi Everyone, I have had at least one male Calliope at my feeder since Sat., and at least one female for about a week and a half. Also have many Black-chinned and several Rufous. I have never had so many hummers in my yard at one time. Pretty cool! What a great opportunity to learn them better by comparing size, shape, behavior, sound, etc. Thanks to Bob Yutzy for the great 'cheat sheet' on the hummingbirds he gave out at his wonderful presentation on hummingbird id at the last Wintu meeting. It has been very helpful in trying to i.d. the various individuals at my feeders. Also had a FOS male Western Tanager on the French Gulch field trip right in the middle of town. Good Birding, Claudia Lyons Yerion Redding Subject: mockingbird From: "maniacmomd" <runciman AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:51:03 -0000 thanks, everyone. I can't believe how many folks emailed me with the answer. It was just too easy and I couldn't wrap my brain around that. :) Denise Subject: Re: Gold Finches From: "Bruce Deuel" <bkrdeuel AT snowcrest.net> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:48:08 -0700 Hi all, I second Bob's opinion about the nesting ranges of the 2 goldfinches. I believe also, that American Goldfinches are quite late nesters, not starting until well into summer. Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob & Carol Yutzy" To: Cc: Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 11:55 AM Subject: Re: [shasta_birders] Gold Finches > It is my notion that in the breeding season Americans are more > valley/flat land oriented and Lessers use the foothills and valley edges > more. In the spring, fall and winter I think they all wander to > wherever they can find food. > > Bob > > CBeaBob AT aol.com wrote: >> We have both Lessor and American Gold Finches in our yard in Redding the >> year around. We have more Lessors in the winter and more of the >> American Gold >> Finches in the Spring , summer and early fall. We always had a lot of >> Americans when I put out the black sunflower seeds and rarely saw a >> Lessor. After I >> bought a Niger Feeder the Lessors showed up in large numbers. >> The American Gold Finches are not as easily noticed in the winter >> because of >> the drastic change in their plumage after the breeding season. This >> time of >> the year the Males are particularly striking as they assume the bright >> yellow and black plumage and the black on the head. >> We live off of Windham Lane in south Redding. >> Bea Currie >> >> >> >> **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used >> car >> listings at AOL Autos. >> (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851) >> >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.13/1378 - Release Date: > 4/15/2008 9:12 AM > > Subject: Re: Gold Finches From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:55:09 -0700 It is my notion that in the breeding season Americans are more valley/flat land oriented and Lessers use the foothills and valley edges more. In the spring, fall and winter I think they all wander to wherever they can find food. Bob CBeaBob AT aol.com wrote: > We have both Lessor and American Gold Finches in our yard in Redding the > year around. We have more Lessors in the winter and more of the American Gold > Finches in the Spring , summer and early fall. We always had a lot of > Americans when I put out the black sunflower seeds and rarely saw a Lessor. After I > bought a Niger Feeder the Lessors showed up in large numbers. > The American Gold Finches are not as easily noticed in the winter because of > the drastic change in their plumage after the breeding season. This time of > the year the Males are particularly striking as they assume the bright > yellow and black plumage and the black on the head. > We live off of Windham Lane in south Redding. > Bea Currie > > > > **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car > listings at AOL Autos. > (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851) > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > Subject: Re: another picture From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:47:48 -0700 I believe you have a Northern Mockingbird there - it should have been singing away too. Bob Yutzy Shasta, CA maniacmomd wrote: > > here is a profile of that same bird. > > http://ph.groups. yahoo.com/ group/shasta_ birders/photos/ view/b4d4? > b=14 > > > Denise > > Subject: Wintu Audubon French Gulch Outing From: "Santry, Rob" <rsantry AT ci.redding.ca.us> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:57:01 -0700 Hi All, This last Saturday, April 19th, Wintu Audubon held it's monthly outing at French Gulch / Trinity Mtn. Road. Eleven people participated in what turned out to be a very pleasant morning of birding and somehow, the wind abated once we turned north onto Trinity Mtn. Road. From what I hear, the wind gusted in the Redding area all day so we were lucky to have no wind for our outing. Very Nice! The final bird species tally for the day was 53 species. Mixed warbler flocks are showing up in our western mountains and we saw them at almost every stop starting at the French Gulch County Park. It was routine to see groups of Black-throated Gray, Nashville, Audubon's, and Orange-crowned warblers all foraging together. We did not see or hear any grouse on this outing. Maybe we are a little early ( or late) but this has been a reliable spot for Sooty Grouse for the last few years. Also, the road is still snowed-in at the top, so you cannot drive to the county line yet. Maybe in a week or so. The view of the Trinity Alps from the top on Countyline Road is the best and should not be missed, especially with all the snow on the peaks. I think I need to add a few birds to the daily tally, I just didn't document a few of the sightings. I think Red and Cathy had a Cassin's Finch. Also, did anyone see the Cassin's Vireo? There may be others, I can email any of the outing members my Avisys report and they can double check me on the tally... Regards, Rob Santry Anderson, CA Subject: another picture From: "maniacmomd" <runciman AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:27:54 -0000 here is a profile of that same bird. http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/photos/view/b4d4?b=14 Denise Subject: bird id From: "maniacmomd" <runciman AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:22:53 -0000 you would think that with all of the books and resources that I have that I would be able to id this bird. I need help! :) Can anyone tell me what it is? Thanks. http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/photos/view/b4d4?b=13 Denise Subject: Gold Finches From: CBeaBob AT aol.com Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:56:26 EDT We have both Lessor and American Gold Finches in our yard in Redding the year around. We have more Lessors in the winter and more of the American Gold Finches in the Spring , summer and early fall. We always had a lot of Americans when I put out the black sunflower seeds and rarely saw a Lessor. After I bought a Niger Feeder the Lessors showed up in large numbers. The American Gold Finches are not as easily noticed in the winter because of the drastic change in their plumage after the breeding season. This time of the year the Males are particularly striking as they assume the bright yellow and black plumage and the black on the head. We live off of Windham Lane in south Redding. Bea Currie **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: American Goldfinch From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:23:03 -0700 Ours just returned four or five days ago. We get them in the spring and fall. They even leave us in the summer. By the way here is just below Whiskeytown. Red Bluff area has had 2 Costa's Hummers in the last couple weeks - so we should all keep our eyes open. We have had a female Calliope for a few days and a male with a weak throat pattern just appeared today. Bob & Carol Shasta, CA slmoulton92392 wrote: > I spotted several American Goldfinch at my feeders today. The first > I've seen this year. I'm between Redding Airport and Anderson River > Park. > Sandy Moulton > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > Subject: American Goldfinch From: "slmoulton92392" <slmoulton AT linkline.com> Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:39:49 -0000 I spotted several American Goldfinch at my feeders today. The first I've seen this year. I'm between Redding Airport and Anderson River Park. Sandy Moulton Subject: Black-chinned Hummingbirds From: "adamfam147" <adamfam AT charter.net> Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:06:44 -0000 Yesterday evening we had 3 male Black-chinned Hummingbirds in a mix of 8-10 hummingbirds with some Rufous and Anna's. In past years we have only had 1 - 2 Black-chinned at a time, and never this early. Great to see so many hummers!! Bill and Judee Adams South Redding, CA Subject: Lema Ranch nestbox monitoring update From: "Larry Jordan" <soaringfalcon6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:17:34 -0000 Hello Everyone, I am so sorry and I feel remiss in my duties for not reporting to you sooner. Out of the six nestboxes at Lema Ranch, headquarters grounds, we have one Western Bluebird now incubating eggs. They should hatch around May 1st. We also have one happy bluebird pair with six baby chicks that should be fledging around May 1st. There are also two active Tree Swallow nests, one just finished being built with no eggs and one with five eggs and it appears that they are in the process of being incubated. If that is the case, we should be seeing some baby tree swallows in about three weeks! Anyone interested in meeting me out there to observe the monitoring is more than welcome. I usually go out to monitor on Thursdays, however, the bluebird chicks will be too old to monitor this week to prevent premature fledging and the other bluebirds will still be in there egg shells! The end of the month looks good though to observe fledging and hatching. Until then, Happy Birding, Larry Oak Run Subject: Western Kingbirds and Ash-throated Flycatchers From: "Larry Jordan" <soaringfalcon6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:48:27 -0000 Hello All, I was pleased to see several Western Kingbirds at the Highway 44 and Deschutes Road exit Thursday. They were flying around the tops of the large oak trees along side the highway. I have also been awaiting the return of the Ash-throated Flycatchers and I heard my first one in my yard this morning when I went out to walk my dog. I only had two nestboxes up but for the flycatchers so I quickly put up a few more to get ready for their breeding season. I love their silky song and their acrobatic flights. Hopefully I will be able to have at least two breeding pairs producing young this year. Looking forward to the French Gulch trip Saturday morning. Hope to see you all there. Larry Oak Run Subject: Re: Eurasian Collared-Dove in Burney and Eaglets at Turtle Bay From: "Larry Jordan" <soaringfalcon6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:37:02 -0000 That is an excellent observation Claudia. Thanks for the info on the best place to spot the youngins from. I had someone ask me just the other day about the eagles and I was trying to figure out the best place to go to view them. I told her to take the pathway between the monolith and the freeway to get the best look at them. I hope the eagles don't go through the Hatchet Ridge flyway either. Maybe we should think about putting up a big detour sign for the birds ;-) Happy Birding, Larry Oak Run --- In shasta_birders AT yahoogroups.com, "cyerion" wrote: > > Hi Everyone, > Sunday, April 13th I observed a Eurasian Collared-Dove in Burney on > Ontario St. I didnt see any others, but I didnt have time to look > around. > I was able to observe the 2 Eaglets in the nest at Turtle Bay on > Friday, April 11th. I was able to get a clear view of the nest from the > driveway to the Park Marina Village Apts., in front of the pond. I used > my spotting scope on 45x power. The 2 eaglets are fairly large, have > long necks, black beaks, grey downy feathers, and seem fairly active. > Seeing them was really neat. I hope they dont decide to fly across > Hatchet ridge after the wind farm is built. > > Good Birding, > Claudia Yerion > Redding > Subject: Lema Ranch From: "ddailey64" <ddailey64 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:56:19 -0000 Linda Aldrich and I birded Lema Ranch this morning. It was a beautiful, breezy day. Dozens of Canada gosling were seen about the ranch, under close supervision of their parents! The following species were of note: 12+ GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES - west Secluded Pond, south Leah's Pond 1 pair CINNAMON TEAL - Mule Pond 5 ALEUTIAN GEESE - hillside, southwest Lema Pond Happy Birding! Debby Dailey-Anderson Redding