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17 Mar Lake Success geese ["Steve & Priscilla Summers" ] 15 Mar PRBO Job Posting ["Luv2bird" ] 14 Mar Tar Canyon and notes on other Kings and Tulare Co areas ["calexandrinus" ] 12 Mar Tulare and Kings Ponds ["calexandrinus" ] 08 Mar Kings Cackling Goose ["markstacybirds" ] 07 Mar Visalia Urban Phainopepla ["calexandrinus" ] 07 Mar Tulare BLM ponds Alpaugh - American Bittern ["calexandrinus" ] 07 Mar Kings Co Greater Scaup ["calexandrinus" ] 04 Mar Golden eagles nesting in Porterville city limits ["willgatlin AT rocketmail.com" ] 02 Mar Tualre Co year to date 155 species ["calexandrinus" ] 02 Mar Kings Co Year to Date 124 species ["calexandrinus" ] 02 Mar Stoil and Pixley area very nice Cackling and Snow Geese ["calexandrinus" ] 25 Feb Pixley NWR Eurasian Wigeon ["Steve & Priscilla Summers" ] 22 Feb Jack Stone Ponds Today and Some Old Stuff ["markstacybirds" ] 21 Feb Kings Co Pacific Golden-Plover ["calexandrinus" ] 11 Feb Kern NWR [Chris Hiatt ] 11 Feb Mountain Plovers ["lynn" ] 22 Jan California Burrowing Owl Consortium Meeting [Bob Barnes ] 19 Jan Kings Co Lemoore to York Ave ["calexandrinus" ] 17 Jan Kings Co -Corcoran to Atwell Island BLM land ["calexandrinus" ] 13 Jan Porterville Townsend's Warbler 1/11/10 ["Tony Kurz" ] 11 Jan Kings Glaucous-winged Gull and Tundra Swans ["jeff67632003" ] 11 Jan Kings Bittern ["markstacybirds" ] 04 Jan The New Year in Tulare Co ["calexandrinus" ] 02 Jan Kings Big Year 2009 ["markstacybirds" ] 31 Dec The joys of Kings Co birding ["calexandrinus" ] 30 Dec Re: 2009 Kings County Big Year! ["markstacybirds" ] 29 Dec 2009 Kings County Big Year! [Bob Barnes ] 28 Dec Tulare Co Status Changes ["calexandrinus" ] 28 Dec Tulare Co end of year - 270 birds all observers ["calexandrinus" ] 28 Dec Kings Mountain Plovers ["markstacybirds" ] 26 Dec Kings Eurasion Wigeon and others ["markstacybirds" ] 25 Dec Kings Golden-crowned Kinglet ["markstacybirds" ] 22 Dec Kings Cackling Goose ["markstacybirds" ] 20 Dec new to your group ["mrhigg1967 AT verizon.net" ] 20 Dec Tulare WTP, Caldwall Ponds ["hiattbee" ] 16 Dec Tar Canyon Correction should be Rock NOT Canyon Wren ["calexandrinus" ] 16 Dec Kings Co Tar Canyon plus ["calexandrinus" ] 13 Dec Kings Co. Ross's Goose, Swainson's Hawk & Brewer's Sparrow ["markstacybirds" ] 07 Dec Kings County Sage Thrasher, Common Goldeneye, Mountain Plover ["calexandrinus" ] 05 Dec Mountain Plovers-Kings/Kern Co. ["carlagary" ] 1 Dec NAB Reminder [Jeff Davis ] 28 Nov Short-eared Owl is back at Lake Success Wildlife Refuge 11/28/09 ["Tony Kurz" ] 27 Nov Red-Necked Grebe [Kathryn Parker ] 27 Nov Kings Co. Rough-legged Hawk and Mountain Bluebirds ["markstacybirds" ] 25 Nov Red-necked Grebe ["carlagary" ] 24 Nov Red-necked Grebe Correction ["Gary L" ] 24 Nov Red-neck Grebe Photos ["Gary L" ] 24 Nov CORRECTION - Jersey Ponds not NEW Jersey Ave Ponds ["luv2bird2" ] 22 Nov Fresno Audubon Society - member list from Nov. 21 ["luv2bird2" ] 23 Nov Some Kings Co. Birds ["markstacybirds" ] 22 Nov Red-necked Grebe continues ["calexandrinus" ] 21 Nov Red-necked Grebe continues at Corcoran Irrigation District pond ["jeff67632003" ] 21 Nov Red-Necked Grebe at Corcoran Reservoir ["calexandrinus" ] 20 Nov 6th Ave [] 18 Nov Lesser Black-backed Gull died Tuesday, Nov 17 around 11:00 am ["calexandrinus" ] 17 Nov Lesser Black-backed Gull still present at the Kent Ave. Ponds in Kings County ["jeff67632003" ] 17 Nov NO Lesser Black-backed Gull ["markstacybirds" ] 16 Nov Corcoran Reservoir this morning ["Steve & Priscilla Summers" ] 15 Nov Kings Co.Birds ["markstacybirds" ] 14 Nov Kings Short-eared Owl ["Steve & Priscilla Summers" ] 15 Nov Kings Co - Red-breasted Merganser ["calexandrinus" ] 13 Nov GREATER ROADRUNNER ["Luv2bird" ] 09 Nov Kings Co Update ["calexandrinus" ] 08 Nov Kings White-th. Sparrow and Others ["markstacybirds" ] 01 Nov Tulare Co Year to Date 269 species all observers ["calexandrinus" ] 31 Oct SE Kings Co ["calexandrinus" ] 29 Oct Re: BBWO - Kern Plateau ["Steve & Priscilla Summers" ] 28 Oct Another Kings Co. Lewis's Woodpecker ["Steve & Priscilla Summers" ] 27 Oct Re: BBWO - Kern Plateau ["natureali" ] 26 Oct BBWO - Kern Plateau [Alison Sheehey ] 24 Oct Plumbeous Vireo & Glaucous-winged Gull Kings Co ["calexandrinus" ] 21 Oct First of Season Ferruginous Hawk ["calexandrinus" ] 18 Oct Hickey Park Lewis's Woodpecker ["calexandrinus" ] 17 Oct Al DeMartini finds Palm Warbler in Hickey Park Hanford ["calexandrinus" ] 16 Oct Kings County historical Condor records + info on Zoo hatched birds ["calexandrinus" ] Subject: Lake Success geese From: "Steve & Priscilla Summers" <summers AT ocsnet.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:46:03 -0700 This morning there were three "Cackling" CACKLING GEESE (minima) and one SNOW GOOSE mixed in with the small Canada Goose flock at Lake Success. There was also a Mute Swan at the lake. Steve Summers PortervilleSubject: PRBO Job Posting From: "Luv2bird" <jillrucker AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:09:39 -0000 Field work job: Per Renee at Palomarin Field Station (aka Bird Banding Lab) in Marin County, Bolinas, CA. One of our interns who was supposed to start this Monday had to back out of the position. We need a gridder. The job is from March 15 (or as soon as possible) through July 31. If you know anyone who is looking for field work, the job description with contact information can be found here: http://www.prbo.org/cms/405#songbird. Thank you for passing this along. Renee CormierSubject: Tar Canyon and notes on other Kings and Tulare Co areas From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:33:01 -0000 Saturday, March 13, 2010 Julian and I started about dawn at West Hills College Lemoore - little to report Kent-Jersey Ave ponds - too much water, nice but not spectacular We then spent time birding from Kettleman City to Avenal with nothing worth reporting, windy. We picked up the key, the road up to the Tar Canyon green coral was quiet. We then walked out past the little shed and abandoned trucks, about 1.8 mile, and had some really nice birding. Location: Big Tar Cyn Corral Observation date: 3/13/10 Number of species: 29 California Quail 30 Turkey Vulture 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Golden Eagle 1 Mourning Dove 6 Great Horned Owl 1 Anna's Hummingbird 1 Say's Phoebe 5 Western Scrub-Jay 12 Common Raven 5 Horned Lark 5 Oak Titmouse 2 Bushtit 8 Rock Wren 1 Bewick's Wren 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Western Bluebird 4 Hermit Thrush 1 Wrentit 1 European Starling 1 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 5 Spotted Towhee 8 California Towhee 6 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 3 White-crowned Sparrow 10 Dark-eyed Junco 20 Western Meadowlark 4 Brewer's Blackbird 15 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) We came back via the Eucalyptus ponds - still not much Homeland Detention pond - very wind 10-20% of the birds I had last weekend. Stoil Pond - now too full - mostly gulls that were mostly flying west about 4:00 pm Alpaugh ID pond - still interesting but numbers down Tricolored Blackbird activity at Avenue 84 and Road 64 - a large field full, birds constantly in the air and sky darkening clouds. Dead Pig Pond is dry. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Tulare and Kings Ponds From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:51:07 -0000 Thursday, March 11, 2010 The northern tulare ponds are mostly looking up. Visalia WTP - dry Caldwell Pond - too full Stockyard Ponds - really nice for ducks - Common Goldeneye Upper Kansas Avenue Pond - nice water level, needs a little time Kansas Avenue Pond - looking good If this keeps up it will be a nice spring. Corcoran Reservoir - Nice selection of waterfowl Nevada Avenue - lots of ducks, Cackling Goose continues If these water levels keep up it might be a great spring. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings Cackling Goose From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:58:51 -0000 I went out to look for John's Greater Scaup today without success. As he said, there's a lot of water at the Homeland "pond" and many, many waterfowl. Most scaup were too distant for me to safely id. The Nevada Ponds "wetlands" to the west of 12th ave had one Cackling Goose today. The cell to the north of the main Corcoran Reservoir is full of water now and should become "birdy" in the next month. Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: Visalia Urban Phainopepla From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:20:30 -0000 Sunday, March 7, 2010 Got a new yard bird this morning - a male Phainopepla. In urban Visalia. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Tulare BLM ponds Alpaugh - American Bittern From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:32:19 -0000 Saturday,March 6, 2010 The Homeland Canal Detention Ponds took much longer then expected but I finally got to Tulare. It looks like Steve Laymon is very hard and successfully doing his work. His restoration pond (Steve, does this pond have a name? I call it the restoration pond to distinguish it from the pond with the old hunting blinds) is really looking good and had great bird viewing with a nice diversity. He is building what looks like the world's strongest observation deck. It is really going to be something. I hope we get invited to the opening. The BLM Pond, with the hunting blinds, was also great. Rock Wren, American Bittern. Nice duck diversity. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings Co Greater Scaup From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:18:53 -0000 Saturday, March 6, 2010 I started at Burris Park - Red-breasted Sapsucker Jack Stone Ponds - Willet, finally saw Mark's resident Sanderling, FOS Barn Swallow Kent-Jersey Ave Ponds looking fairly good but no rarities Kettleman City - Greater Roadrunner I searched around Hwy 33, Avenal, York and Pyramid ave - best was a Sage Sparrow near the Pyramid Oil Fields Eucalyptus Ponds - off Utica Ave near Hwy 5 - shorebird water but not much there Homeland Canal Detention Pond - Wow, I thought I was at the O'Niel Forebay. Greater Scaup, Osprey, 5000 Northern Shoveler, 2000 Rudy Duck, Hooded Merganser 2, 220 Lesser Scaup, lots and lots of birds, amazing, I didn't really get to it all. Those counts are just for the main first pond lots more in the area. Aside - Badger - on Devil's Den close to Avenue 25 (less then .25 mile), hole is directly under powerline that crosses Devil's Den less then 20 feet from road. Amazing wildflowers throughout trip including valley floor. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Golden eagles nesting in Porterville city limits From: "willgatlin AT rocketmail.com" <willgatlin@rocketmail.com> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:25:20 -0000 A noisy pair of golden eagles has been nesting for the last month in the third big tree east of Hwy 65 where it crosses the Tule River. They can be observed from the Tule River bicycle path on the south side of the river.Subject: Tualre Co year to date 155 species From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:55:08 -0000 Tulare Co 2010 155 species in 2010 reported as of March 01, 2010 by all observers Casual 1 Stilt Sandpiper Jan, BLM pond, John Lockhart Rare 6 Cackling Goose Jan, Springville, known from 2009 Eurasian Wigeon Feb, Pixley NWR, Steve Summers Common Goldeneye Jan, Slick Rock, John Lockhart Red-breasted Merganser Jan, Lake Success, known from 2009 Costa's Hummingbird Jan, Lake Success Campground, known from 2009 Black-throated Sparrow Jan, Holdridge Rd, known from 2009 Uncommon 28 Greater White-fronted Goose Snow Goose Redhead Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Sooty Grouse Osprey Ferruginous Hawk Merlin Prairie Falcon Sandhill Crane Spotted Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Herring Gull Eurasian Collared-Dove Northern Pygmy-Owl Spotted Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl Hutton's Vireo Townsend's Solitaire California Thrasher Townsend's Warbler Rufous-crowned Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Pine Siskin Lawrence's Goldfinch Common 93 Canada Goose Wood Duck Gadwall American Wigeon Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Common Merganser Ruddy Duck California Quail Pied-billed Grebe Eared Grebe Western Grebe Clark's Grebe American White Pelican Double-crested Cormorant Black-crowned Night-Heron White-faced Ibis Turkey Vulture White-tailed Kite Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Cooper's Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Golden Eagle Black-bellied Plover Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Whimbrel Long-billed Curlew Least Sandpiper Dunlin Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Snipe Ring-billed Gull California Gull Band-tailed Pigeon Western Screech-Owl Burrowing Owl White-throated Swift Anna's Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Red-breasted Sapsucker Nuttall's Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Say's Phoebe Loggerhead Shrike Steller's Jay Horned Lark Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow Mountain Chickadee Oak Titmouse Bushtit Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Rock Wren Canyon Wren Bewick's Wren Marsh Wren American Dipper Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Western Bluebird Hermit Thrush American Robin Wrentit American Pipit Cedar Waxwing Phainopepla Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Common Yellowthroat Spotted Towhee California Towhee Lark Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Tricolored Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Purple Finch Cassin's Finch House Finch Lesser Goldfinch American Goldfinch Abundant 27 Mallard Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Cattle Egret Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel American Coot Killdeer Western Sandpiper Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Barn Owl Great Horned Owl Acorn Woodpecker Northern Flicker Black Phoebe Western Scrub-Jay American Crow Common Raven Northern Mockingbird European Starling White-crowned Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Western Meadowlark Brewer's Blackbird House Sparrow John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings Co Year to Date 124 species From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:31:54 -0000 Kings Co 2010 124 species report in 2010 as of March 01, 2010 All Observers I am sure there are many more that just haven't been reported so far. Casual 1 Glaucous-winged Gull Jan 10, Blakely Canal, Jeff Seay Rare 5 Tundra Swan Jan 10, Kent-Jersey Ave Ponds flyover, Jeff Seay Common Goldeneye Jan 17, Jack Stone Ponds, John Lockhart Pacific Golden-Plover Feb 20, Jack Stone Ponds, John Lockhart Sanderling Jan 10, Jack Stone Ponds, Mark Stacy White-throated Sparrow Known from 2009, Lemoore Uncommon 24 Greater White-fronted Goose Redhead Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser American Bittern Merlin Peregrine Falcon Prairie Falcon Common Moorhen Snowy Plover Semipalmated Plover Mountain Plover Spotted Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Bonaparte's Gull Eurasian Collared-Dove Greater Roadrunner Acorn Woodpecker Red-breasted Sapsucker Violet-green Swallow White-breasted Nuthatch Phainopepla Yellow-headed Blackbird Common 72 Canada Goose Gadwall American Wigeon Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Common Merganser Ruddy Duck California Quail Pied-billed Grebe Eared Grebe Western Grebe Clark's Grebe American White Pelican Double-crested Cormorant Black-crowned Night-Heron White-faced Ibis White-tailed Kite Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Ferruginous Hawk American Kestrel Virginia Rail Black-bellied Plover Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Long-billed Curlew Dunlin Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Phalarope Ring-billed Gull California Gull Herring Gull Great Horned Owl Burrowing Owl Anna's Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Nuttall's Woodpecker Northern Flicker Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe Loggerhead Shrike Horned Lark Tree Swallow Bushtit House Wren Marsh Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Mountain Bluebird American Robin American Pipit Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Spotted Towhee California Towhee Lark Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Tricolored Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch Abundant 22 Mallard Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Cattle Egret American Coot Killdeer Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Western Scrub-Jay American Crow Common Raven Cliff Swallow Northern Mockingbird European Starling White-crowned Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Western Meadowlark Brewer's Blackbird House Sparrow John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Stoil and Pixley area very nice Cackling and Snow Geese From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:16:45 -0000 Mar 1, 2009 I got off work early and inspired by Steve's reports headed toward Stoil ponds. Tulare WTP - 1400 Black-belied plover, 400 Dunlin, mostly Northern Shovelers with little diversity. No mud flats. Corcoran Reservoir - Better waterfowl diversity but nothing spectacular. Pixley - I went around the outside fence and in the grass to the north of the main water-holding ponds were many Sandhill Cranes and a few geese including 2 Snow Geese and 5 Cackling Geese. Location: Pixley NWR Observation date: 3/1/10 Number of species: 21 Snow Goose 2 Cackling Goose 5 Canada Goose 55 American Wigeon 25 Mallard 6 Cinnamon Teal 3 Northern Shoveler 6 Great Egret 9 Northern Harrier 3 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 American Kestrel 1 American Coot 5 Sandhill Crane 2500 Killdeer 5 Least Sandpiper 25 California Gull 2 Mourning Dove 1 Burrowing Owl 1 Savannah Sparrow 5 Red-winged Blackbird 900 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) The Alpaugh ID pond was still full of Canvasback along with a fair assortment of other ducks. The western most Stoil pond was really something. Absolutely everywhere I looked was covered in birds, amazing. The reeds on both sides of the pond were covered in Tricolored Blackbird. 1600 gulls covered the center and all around in the deeper water were ducks. Also FOS Whimbrel. The road in was very very muddy, most would consider it impassible. If it is like it was today it is worth the walk. Location: Stoil Pond Observation date: 3/1/10 Number of species: 33 Gadwall 12 American Wigeon 35 Mallard 20 Cinnamon Teal 120 Northern Shoveler 300 Northern Pintail 200 Green-winged Teal 300 Ruddy Duck 25 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 5 Snowy Egret 23 White-faced Ibis 5 Northern Harrier 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 American Coot 30 Killdeer 7 Whimbrel (American) 5 Least Sandpiper 20 Ring-billed Gull 1100 California Gull 500 Herring Gull (American) 2 Mourning Dove 2 Black Phoebe 1 Loggerhead Shrike 3 Common Raven 5 Marsh Wren 3 Savannah Sparrow 12 White-crowned Sparrow 8 Red-winged Blackbird 800 Tricolored Blackbird 5000 Western Meadowlark 7 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Pixley NWR Eurasian Wigeon From: "Steve & Priscilla Summers" <summers AT ocsnet.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:15:23 -0800 This morning I observed a male EURASIAN WIGEON from the observation platform at Pixley N.W.R. It was with a large number of waterfowl, mainly American Wigeons and Northern Shovelers. Stoil ponds held large numbers of Northern Pintails and shovelers. Alpaugh I.D. pond had an impressive 500 Canvasbacks. Steve Summers PortervilleSubject: Jack Stone Ponds Today and Some Old Stuff From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:31:52 -0000 Hello Birders, I had 30 minutes yesterday to look for John's golden-plovers without success. It was late afternoon and small groups of plovers were heading north then. Went back this morning and again around 2pm with no luck. The Wilson's Phalarope is still there and I also saw one Sanderling. Had my FOS Cliff Swallows way back on Feb. 7 at the Corcoran Reservoir and a Black-throated Gray Warbler in Lemoore last week. My White-throated Sparrow disappeared after January 1st... Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: Kings Co Pacific Golden-Plover From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:01:42 -0000 February 20, 2010 I finally got in a good full day of birding. Fantastic day with lots of great birds and a few of many species in breeding plumage. Breeding plumage Double-crested Cormorant, Eared Grebe, Rudy Duck, Greater Yellowlegs. I started with the northern Tulare ponds Caldwell - overfull Stockyard - nice water level may get good Kansas Ave - no water Kings Co Corcoran Reservoir - quieter then it has been Corcoran City Park - few birds Tule River, Kings - slow All the ponds off of 6th are now dry I took the Homeland Canal west and all was dry except for the detention area where the canal off 10th comes in. It was a massive water area with many distant waterfowl. It was dry and slow until I got to Nevada Avenue Ponds - great birding 2 Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, FOY Semipalmated Plover 5, Violet-green Swallow 1, Cliff Swallows are back in mass. Popped the ebird filter 4 times. Location: Nevada Avenue Ponds Observation date: 2/20/10 Number of species: 45 Gadwall 8 American Wigeon 6 Mallard 14 Cinnamon Teal 60 Northern Shoveler 220 Northern Pintail 8 Green-winged Teal 9 Canvasback 220 Redhead 8 Lesser Scaup 40 Bufflehead 110 Common Goldeneye 2 Hooded Merganser 1 Ruddy Duck 1200 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Eared Grebe 80 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 2 Snowy Egret 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 Northern Harrier 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Common Moorhen 1 American Coot 1500 Semipalmated Plover 5 Killdeer 7 Black-necked Stilt 40 American Avocet 80 Greater Yellowlegs 15 Least Sandpiper 80 Dunlin 60 Black Phoebe 1 Loggerhead Shrike 1 Tree Swallow 20 Violet-green Swallow 1 Cliff Swallow 80 Marsh Wren 3 American Pipit 15 Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 Savannah Sparrow 30 Song Sparrow 2 Red-winged Blackbird 5 Western Meadowlark 2 Brewer's Blackbird 10 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) Kent-Jersey Ponds - had more shorebirds and less waterfowl diversity then my last visit. Jack Stone Ponds - Pacific Golden-Plover 2, posted photo, Wilson's Phalarope. This ebird list popped the list 5 times. Location: Jack Stone Ponds Observation date: 2/20/10 Number of species: 22 Mallard 2 Northern Shoveler 3 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Great Egret 3 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Black-bellied Plover 500 Pacific Golden-Plover 2 Snowy Plover 20 Killdeer 3 Black-necked Stilt 200 American Avocet 350 Greater Yellowlegs 200 Long-billed Curlew 300 Western Sandpiper 5 Least Sandpiper 50 Dunlin 200 Wilson's Phalarope 1 Ring-billed Gull 9 California Gull 1 Savannah Sparrow 5 Red-winged Blackbird 3 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) I came back via Elgin Slough, Sportsman's club, Hickey Park, Kings Row, and Burris Park with nothing out of the ordinary to report. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kern NWR From: Chris Hiatt <hiattch AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:34:09 -0800 (PST) After I left the Tulare Ag Expo in the afternoon I headed down to the Kern Wildlife Refuge. On the way saw a hundred or so NORTHERN PINTAILS and a few am. pelicans at a pond east of Alpaugh in Tulare county. Then a GREATER ROADRUNNER a little north of Garces Rd. and Rowlee Rd. just into Kern county. It was entering a vineyard. On the auto route at Kern NWR got a close look at 2 SORAS, had many ducks: REDHEAD,GADWALL,LESSER SCAUP,CINAMON TEAL,GREEN WINGED TEAL. And GOLDEN EAGLE, BLACK SHOULDERED KITE, GOLDEN CROWNED SPARROW, HERRING GULLS, heard some VIRGINIA RAILS, and a dozen tree swallows. As I left heading north on 6 th ave. in Kings Co. saw a PEREGRINE FALCON,GOLDEN EAGLE, 2 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, all along the area that the mt.plovers were reported yesterday. I didn't find the plovers though, dog gone it! Finally on the way home at Corcoran Reservoir, estimated about 300 CANVASBACKS or more. Informative day at the ag show and many county ticks, good day today. Chris Hiatt Madera Ranchos [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Mountain Plovers From: "lynn" <LHemink AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:00:23 -0000 The Fresno Audubon Wednesday Walkers found approximately 50 Mountain Plover on the east side of 6th Avenue in Kings County about two miles above the Kern County line. The field is the same one where Plover have been sighted in the past. Good birding! Lynn Hemink Clovis, Ca.Subject: California Burrowing Owl Consortium Meeting From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:21:11 -0800 Hi,
At first glance, the 11:30am, 1pm, and 2pm
presentations scheduled for this meeting appear
to have the most relevance in terms of the future
occurrence of Burrowing Owls in Tulare County.
Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA
CALIFORNIA BUROWING OWL CONSORTIUM MEETING -
Sponsored by the Alameda Creak Alliance and
Ohlone Audubon Society (Alameda County)
DATE: February 6, 2010
TIME: 9AM Doors, 10AM 2:30PM Speaker Presentations
LOCATION: Martinelli Event Center, 3585 Greenville Rd., Livermore, CA 94550
SPEAKERS & TOPICS:
* 10AM - Dee Vieira City of Antioch Prewett
Family Water Park Burrowing Owl Habitat
* 10:30 AM - David Cook SCVAS: Dicing
ordinance monitoring and enforcement, Mt View advocacy
* Shani Kleinhaus SCVAS Burrowing Owl
advocacy: Shoreline at Mountain View
* 11 AM - Troy Rahmig Habitat Conservation
Planning Meeting Future Habitat Needs
* 11:30 AM- Douglas A. Bell, Ph.D K. Shawn
Smallwood, Lee Neher and Douglas A. Bell,
Map-based repowering and reorganization of a wind
farm to minimize burrowing owl fatalities.
* Noon Lunch break
* 1 PM - William Boarman Ph.D Updating
California Conservation Strategy for Burrowing Owls
* 1:30 PM Jack Barclay and Sandra Menzel
Owl status at Camp Parks, Dublinand Polygynous Nesting in 2009
* 2:00 PM Bob Wilkerson Results from the
2006-2007 California Breeding Burrowing Owl Survey
* 2:30 PM Jeff Miller Center for
Biological Diversity Petitioning for State Listing of Burrowing Owl
* 2:45 Scott Artis City of
Antioch: Development Plans and Owl Evictions
* 3:00 Program ends, please remain to
network with the speakers and other advocate’s
COST: $30 walk in, $25 in advance. Fee includes
coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served from
9AM to 10AM and a buffet lunch. To register in advance mail a check to:
Alameda Creek Alliance c/o Rich Cimino 1281 Ridgewood Rd. Pleasanton, Cal.
94566.
NOTE: No refunds after Jan 29th.
DIRECTIONS:
* Conveniently located off of HWY 580 East.
* Exit North Greenville Rd.
* Make a left off the exit.
* Turn right onto Greenville and go up about 2.5 miles.
* Center is on the right just after you pass the winery’s laboratory.
* Wrought iron gates and large palm trees mark the entrance.
Richard Cimino
rscimino AT earthlink.net
Birding is fun and educational + it gets us out and away from the TV remote!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Kings Co Lemoore to York AveFrom: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:41:44 -0000 Trip Date Jan 17, 2010 I started at dawn at Jack Stone Ponds - couldn't find Mark's good birds but had 4 Common Goldeneye - 2 pair Location: Jack Stone Ponds Observation date: 1/17/10 Number of species: 16 Northern Shoveler 2 Canvasback 1 Common Goldeneye 4 Ruddy Duck 4 American Kestrel 1 Black-bellied Plover 7 Snowy Plover 1 Killdeer 1 Black-necked Stilt 5 American Avocet 135 Greater Yellowlegs 45 Least Sandpiper 700 Dunlin 330 Ring-billed Gull 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-winged Blackbird 35 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) Next was Bogg's Slough which was quiet but had a White-Tailed Kite then onto Elgin's Slough - Sportsman's Club Phainopepla Location: Elgin ditch (Kings Co.) Observation date: 1/17/10 Number of species: 21 Mallard 1 Northern Shoveler 2 Red-shouldered Hawk (California) 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Common Moorhen 2 American Coot 2 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Least Sandpiper 15 Anna's Hummingbird 1 Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Western Scrub-Jay 9 American Robin 15 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 20 Phainopepla 1 Spotted Towhee 1 Song Sparrow 5 Lincoln's Sparrow 1 White-crowned Sparrow 135 Red-winged Blackbird 25 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) I stopped by West Hills College which I had heard about from Mark. signed on Hwy 43 just north of hwy 198. Virgina Rail Next was Kent and Jersey Ave ponds Wilson's Phalarope - I was hoping for a rarer variety when I saw it spinning out there but unsual enough for winter. Bonaparte's Gulls 30 Location: Jersey Ave. to Kent Ave.--ponds Observation date: 1/17/10 Number of species: 22 Mallard 25 Northern Shoveler 270 Green-winged Teal 1 Canvasback 3 Ruddy Duck 100 Eared Grebe 1 White-tailed Kite 1 Northern Harrier 1 Red-tailed Hawk (Western) 1 American Coot 150 Black-necked Stilt 310 American Avocet 270 Greater Yellowlegs 10 Least Sandpiper 350 Dunlin 400 Long-billed Dowitcher 3 Wilson's Phalarope 1 Bonaparte's Gull 30 Loggerhead Shrike 1 Savannah Sparrow 15 White-crowned Sparrow 25 Western Meadowlark 30 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) I then headed out to York and Pyramid by way of Kettleman City. Mountain Bluebird 12 very close nice looks. I came back by way of Avenal with very little to report It started raining pretty hard but I stopped at the Hanford WTP Location: Hanford Sewage Ponds Observation date: 1/17/10 Number of species: 22 Mallard 32 Northern Shoveler 200 Canvasback 90 Bufflehead 35 Common Merganser 20 Ruddy Duck 300 Eared Grebe 25 Great Egret 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Coot 40 Killdeer 22 American Avocet 20 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Greater Yellowlegs 3 Least Sandpiper 500 Long-billed Dowitcher 100 Black Phoebe 2 American Crow 1 Common Raven 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 5 Savannah Sparrow 5 Brewer's Blackbird 9 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) Home by 3 due to rain John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings Co -Corcoran to Atwell Island BLM land From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:26:23 -0000 Friday, Jan 16, 2009 On my way from Visalia I tried the northern Tulare Ponds. Visalia WTP, Caldwell Pond, Stockyard Ponds, Kansas Ave ponds all with either totally dry or to full stagnant water. I started at the Corcoran Reservoir about 12:30 Not as birdy as December, best were Greater White-fronted Goose 2 very few gulls,123 total around 12:30 and later when I checked on my way home around sunset there were fewer gulls. The gull roost was at 6th and Utica where there were 3500 around 4:30 pm I went into Corcoran and then down 6th to the Tule River - birdy but nothing unusual 6th and Utica flooded fields Many gulls - 700 Ring-billed Gull, 1300 California Gull 3 Herring Gull I spent time looking for rarities but could find none. On my way home this location had 3500 gulls and I didn't have the time to really search. Nice duck diversity On the BLM Atwell Island project - East of 6th, south of Homeland Canal I had 35 Mountain Plover - the closest was within 50 feet of 6th. I had 73 species on the afternoon. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Porterville Townsend's Warbler 1/11/10 From: "Tony Kurz" <tonyk_71220 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:54:11 -0000 On the North side of Porterville on Ruma Rancho road I had a Male Townsend's Warbler at the top of some pines. There was also two Orange-crowned Warblers in the area. Tony Kurz Springville Tulare CountySubject: Kings Glaucous-winged Gull and Tundra Swans From: "jeff67632003" <jseay AT harveyecology.com> Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:36:28 -0000 Today I saw an adult Glaucous-winged Gull on the Blakeley Canal (on the north side of Hwy 41) near Nevada Ave. with several herring Gulls. I also saw at least 2 Glaucous-winged X Herring intergrades there as well. A flock of 4 Tundra Swans flew north past the Jersey Ave ponds in the fog around noon. They slowed, but did not stop. Jeff Seay FresnoSubject: Kings Bittern From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:07:39 -0000 I suspected when the big year was up I'd find some birds that eluded me all year, but not this soon! In a place I'd checked DOZENS of times last year because it looked good for bittern, there was one today. It was in the reed-filled canal that leads to the Jack Stone ponds. The Sanderling continues at the ponds and the Lemoore Sportsman's Club Phainopepla is still there. Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: The New Year in Tulare Co From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:55:50 -0000 On Jan 1, 2009 Tony Kurz and I birded from Redwood Dr above Camp Nelson on Hwy 190 to the BLM Atwell Island project below Alpaugh. On Jan 3 I birded from Lake Kaweah to Bravo Lake between the 2 days we found the following Rare to Casual birds. With some birds Tony found on Saturday I have Tualre at 140 species for 2010. cn Location 2010 Cackling Goose Boar Ranch Springville - Success Lake flock Common Goldeneye Slick Rock Red-breasted Merganser Lake Success Stilt Sandpiper BLM Pond Costa's Hummingbird Lake Success Campground Black-throated Sparrow Holdridge Rd On the 1st we ended up with about 120 birds on a 14-15 hour day. We had great looks at a Western Screech-Owl on Whishon Dr. We had fleeting glimpses of Northern Saw-whet Owl on Redwood Dr. The Sooty Grouse was back in its tree for those that know what that means. We also found an unusual looking sapsucker that we spent an hour or more chasing and taking pictures of that after seeing the pictures Steve Summers felt it was a female red-naped with some red-brested in it so another hybrid. It was rather slow but fun birding down to the valley floor. We did refind some rarities found on the Springville CBC. Tulare's ponds are basically dry. Dead Pig Pond, Alpaugh Id, and Stoil are all basically dry. At the Atwell Island BLM restoration pond there was water and a fair assortment of ducks. The Atwell Island pond, different then the restoration Pond is a hard to find back roads kind of thing but it had 1 each of Western Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs along with the regular wintering shorebirds. Not many of any species was present. We called Steve Laymon and he made it out to see the winter Stilt Sandpiper, a new project bird. today, Sunday the 3rd I had 4 female Common Goldeneye in the Kaweah river just above Lake Kaweah near the Slick Rock parking area. Hooded Merganser were in the river just after turning onto Dry Creek Dr. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings Big Year 2009 From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:11:44 -0000 Hello and Happy New Year: I'm relieved to say it's finally over. The last few days were a bust as far as new birds are concerned. Hewitson Cattle Co. said it was not a good time to get the key for Tar Canyon and the valley was socked in with fog. I kept plugging away though: scrutinizing every gull and sparrow flock, doing my best pygmy owl rendition for montane species, playing for Winter Wren at blackberry patches, etc, etc. Best birds were another Cackling Goose hanging with a Snow Goose at the Nevada Ponds and a Phainopepla at the sportsman's club. So the total remains 226. There were 8 species seen by others this year that I'm aware of: Pacific Golden-Plover White-rumped Sandpiper Lesser Black-backed Gull Calliope Hummingbird Bank Swallow Plumbeous Vireo Sage Thrasher Palm Warbler Of these 8, I consider the hummingbird and swallow my biggest misses. I made an attempt for the other rarities. Some could surely have been seen if I'd heard about them early enough. Several were one day wonders I couldn't chase till the following day. The Lesser Black-backed Gull was a particularly painful miss as I did get a chance to look for it just before dark the day it was found and couldn't find it. Had to work the next day...you know the rest. Of the birds no one saw this year, American Bittern, White-throated Swift and Canyon Wren seem particularly noteworthy in their absence. All in all a great year in the "Little County of Horrors." I'd like to thank the following gentlemen for their help and support this year: Bob Barnes, Rob Hansen, John Lockhart, Jeff Seay, Steve Summers, and the late Luke Cole. Here's the list with highlighted rare and decidedly uncommon species: RED-NECKED GREBE HORNED GREBE Eared Grebe Pied-billed Grebe Western Grebe Clark's Grebe American White Pelican Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron White-faced Ibis Canada Goose CACKLING GOOSE GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE ROSS'S GOOSE SNOW GOOSE Wood Duck Mallard Gadwall Northern Pintail American Wigeon EURASIAN WIGEON Northern Shoveler Cinnamon Teal BLUE-WINGED TEAL Green-winged Teal Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup COMMON GOLDENEYE Bufflehead HOODED MERGANSER Common Merganser RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Ruddy Duck Turkey Vulture Northern Harrier White-tailed Kite Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Swainson's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Ferruginous Hawk ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK Golden Eagle OSPREY Merlin Prairie Falcon Peregrine Falcon California Quail Ring-necked Pheasant Common Moorhen American Coot Virginia Rail Sora Sandhill Crane Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Snowy Plover MOUNTAIN PLOVER Killdeer American Avocet Black-necked Stilt Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs SOLITARY SANDPIPER Willet Spotted Sandpiper Whimbrel Long-billed Curlew HUDSONIAN GODWIT Marbled Godwit RUDDY TURNSTONE RED KNOT SANDERLING Dunlin PECTORAL SANDPIPER BAIRD'S SANDPIPER Western Sandpiper SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER Least Sandpiper RUFF STILT SANDPIPER Long-billed Dowitcher SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER Wilson's Snipe Wilson's Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Bonaparte's Gull FRANKLIN'S GULL MEW GULL Ring-billed Gull California Gull Herring Gull GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL SABINE'S GULL Caspian Tern COMMON TERN Forster's Tern LEAST TERN Black Tern Mourning Dove WHITE-WINGED DOVE Eurasian Collared-Dove Rock Dove Greater Roadrunner Barn Owl SHORT-EARED OWL Great Horned Owl Burrowing Owl Western Screech-Owl COMMON POORWILL Lesser Nighthawk Vaux's Swift Anna's Hummingbird COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Acorn Woodpecker LEWIS'S WOODPECKER Red-breasted Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Nuttall's Woodpecker Northern Flicker OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Western Wood-Pewee Pacific-slope Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Hammond's Flycatcher DUSKY FLYCATCHER GRAY FLYCATCHER Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe Ash-throated Flycatcher Western Kingbird Loggerhead Shrike Warbling Vireo Cassin's Vireo Western Scrub-Jay Common Raven American Crow Horned Lark Northern Rough-winged Swallow Violet-green Swallow Tree Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Oak Titmouse Bushtit RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH White-breasted Nuthatch BROWN CREEPER Bewick's Wren House Wren Marsh Wren Rock Wren Wrentit GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET Ruby-crowned Kinglet Blue-gray Gnatcatcher MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD Western Bluebird American Robin SWAINSON'S THRUSH Hermit Thrush Northern Mockingbird California Thrasher European Starling American Pipit Phainopepla Cedar Waxwing Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Yellow Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Townsend's Warbler HERMIT WARBLER MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Warbler YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT Western Tanager Black-headed Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Spotted Towhee GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE California Towhee Rufous-crowned Sparrow Sage Sparrow BREWER'S SPARROW Chipping Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow WHITE-THROATED SPARROW White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Western Meadowlark Brown-headed Cowbird Yellow-headed Blackbird Tricolored Blackbird Red-winged Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Bullock's Oriole HOODED ORIOLE PURPLE FINCH House Finch LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH Lesser Goldfinch American Goldfinch House Sparrow Total: 226 Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: The joys of Kings Co birding From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:28:37 -0000 Dec 30, 2009 Amazing birding in an amazing year in Kings Co. In 2004 Luke Cole wrote, [Luke Cole is the Patron Saint of Kings county birding and has done as much as anyone to share the wonders of Kings Co birding with birders]. Did they go to Monterey for diverse habitat in America's Birdiest County? No, they met in the plowed, graded, pesticide-sprayed, channelized agricultural wasteland known as Kings County, one of California's least birdy counties -- a county with so few indigenous birders that they can be counted on one hand, if one is making a one-fingered gesture. But they came anyway, for the glory County birder posted 2005 I was sitting at 198 and hoping that my future visits to Kings County would be the same as that of most Californians: passing through it while driving from northern California to southern. Different County Birder posted 2006 I'm really beginning to dislike Kings County. I started birding Tulare Co on a pathological level in 2005 and pretty much stayed true to my deviation until I was asked to be the ebird reviewer for Kings and Luke Cole passed away this year. I figured if I was going to be the reviewer and Luke was no longer around to record Kings Co's birding I better step up. It has really been fun and exciting birding. I started my Kings Co List in August of 2009 except for one retro bird from a Tulare County Audubon Society field trip, Franklin's Gull, and was able to reach 200 species with introduced birds and the retro gull. I am not a great birder by any stretch of the imagination but I do get out there and have learned to recognize the unusual. As a tribute to Kings Co's diversity I was able to find the following in Kings Co in the last 5 months. Found 1st county record - Red-necked Grebe - photos, seen by all the current Kings Co devotees. Found 2nd County record of - Plumbeous Vireo - also seen by Steve Laymon Hudsonin Godwit - also a CBRC species, photographed and seen by Mark Stacy What follows is a reverse phylogenetic list of the Rare to Accidental birds I observed in the last 5 month in Kings Co cn KIN d KIN p Lawrence's Goldfinch 10/17/2009 Kings Row White-throated Sparrow 11/14/2009 Leemore Sage Thrasher 12/6/2009 HWY 41 near Hwy 33 Bank Swallow 9/9/2009 6th and Utica Plumbeous Vireo 10/23/2009 BlM Atwell Island Lewis's Woodpecker 10/17/2009 Hickey Park Costa's Hummingbird 10/6/2009 Tule River Short-eared Owl 11/27/2009 BlM Atwell Island White-winged Dove 9/20/2009 Tule River Least Tern 8/23/2009 Hanford WTP Glaucous-winged Gull 10/23/2009 4th and Tucson Short-billed Dowitcher 8/26/2009 6th and Seattle Stilt Sandpiper 9/24/2009 6th and Seattle Baird's Sandpiper 8/22/2009 Nevada Ave Ponds Semipalmated Sandpiper 9/27/2009 6th and Seattle Sanderling 10/31/2009 Hacienda Evaporation Ponds Red Knot 8/30/2009 6th and Seattle Hudsonian Godwit 8/30/2009 6th and Seattle Willet 8/3/2009 Nevada Ave Ponds Pacific Golden-Plover 9/27/2009 15th and Nevada Red-necked Grebe 11/20/2009 Corcoran Reservoir Horned Grebe 10/10/2009 Corcoran Reservoir Red-breasted Merganser 11/14/2009 Corcoran Reservoir Common Goldeneye 12/6/2009 Hanford WTP Eurasian Wigeon 10/10/2009 10th and Tucson Ross's Goose 12/15/2009 Corcoran Reservoir Kings Co may not be what it was before industrialized agriculture but it is still is wonderful place to go birding full of surprises. Whishing you all the best in your future trips to Kings Co and the new year! John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Re: 2009 Kings County Big Year! From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:49:16 -0000 To Bob and all Tulare/Kings Birders, Thanks for the kudos Bob and to all those who offered advice and/or contacted me when they found a bird I needed, John Lockhart deserving special thanks in that last regard. Thanks again, John. I'm going to post the final results when it's all said and done. I still have tomorrow afternoon and all of Thursday to bird. The current total is 226. There are 8 birds others saw that I didn't, and they include some of the rarest found this year. Oh well, this experience has taught me how to cope with frequent disappointment! So many days were spent visiting the same locations, racking up thousands of miles on my car, without finding anything new. But along the way I made some new friends, sharpened my birding skills, got to know nearly every road here, and added over 20 species to my county lifelist. Next year I plan to do more hiking/backpacking than birding, but...I'm pretty close to having 250 species for the county. How could I resist? Happy New Year Everybody! Mark --- In tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Bob BarnesSubject: 2009 Kings County Big Year! From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:59:38 -0800 Mark: First of all congratulations 2+ days in advance of its end on your record breaking, record smashing Kings County Big Year in 2009. I know your total to date is a very impressive 50-60+ species more than the late (and missed) Luke Cole's 170 species observed during 1999 ... the prior Kings County Big Year record total. I am writing this e-mail to you and the tularekingsbirds listserv in hopes you will send out a final 2009 Kings County Big Year total species number via a posting on the tularekingsbirds listserv. If it works for you, I am also hopeful you will be able to include 2009 highlights, species observed by others in 2009 which you missed (Ugh! What a request!:), and a final, complete list of species tallied. My request means you do not have to seem to be trumpeting yourself by sharing the above as the request has come from someone else. In this case, me. I have no idea what you will do as an encore after 2009 ends except add to your overall Kings County list total or ????? Congratulations on Your Continued, Productive Birding throughout 2009! Happy New Year! Bob Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Tulare Co Status Changes From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:10:08 -0000 Dec 27, 2009 I have migrated Tulare and Kings co records away from the Exceptional that I inherited and moved them to the more traditional Accidental and Casual. A - Abundant - always encountered in very large numbers C - Common - always or almost always encountered daily U - Uncommon - usually encountered daily, generally not in large numbers R - Rare - occurs (or probably occurs) annually, in very small numbers Ca - Casual - not seen annually, but reasonably expected again Ac - Accidental - not reasonably expected more than every 10-20 years Modifiers L - Local - distribution in a small area Ir - Irruptive - used for birds that come in good numbers but not every year H - Historical - historically Uncommon to Abundant I have now been birding and recording records in Tulare Co for the past five years. At that time Steve Summers also moved to Tulare. Justin Ward and Tony Kurz also became heavily interested in Tulare Co birds and birding in the last five years. Group sites like this and others also hold a wealth of information. County Birders in particular being very observant and diligent record posters. With this new wealth of information and observers in the field most weekends it is clear that the status of some birds needs to be changed. Much of this just reverts birds to their status when birders such as Bob Barnes actively birded the county. Rob Hansen also deserves much credit for what is known about Tulare Co birding. Moved to Rare bird Datebegin location Red-breasted Merganser 12/19/2009 Success Lake Red-breasted Merganser 12/7/2008 Bravo Lake Red-breasted Merganser 4/27/2008 Bravo Lake Red-breasted Merganser 11/21/2007 Success Lake Red-breasted Merganser 12/27/2006 Lake Kaweah Red-breasted Merganser 12/16/2006 Success Lake Red-breasted Merganser 1/2/1998 Lake Kaweah Red-breasted Merganser 12/16/1978 Success Lake Red-breasted Merganser Woodlake WTP Red-breasted Merganser Success Lake bird Datebegin location Common Loon 5/22/2009 Tulare WTP Common Loon 3/1/2009 Success Lake Common Loon 11/18/2008 Success Lake Common Loon 11/4/2008 Success Lake Common Loon 4/27/2008 Bravo Lake Common Loon 4/21/2007 Bravo Lake Common Loon 1/8/2007 Bravo Lake Common Loon 12/19/1987 Success Lake Common Loon 12/17/1983 Success Lake bird Datebegin location Snowy Plover 8/30/2009 Tulare WTP Snowy Plover 8/19/2009 Alpaugh Irrigation Dist Pond Snowy Plover 5/9/2009 Dead Pig Pond Snowy Plover 5/7/2009 Stoil Pond Snowy Plover 5/2/2009 Tulare WTP Snowy Plover 8/29/2008 Bravo Lake Snowy Plover 9/21/2007 Success Lake Snowy Plover 9/1/2007 Alpaugh Irrigation Dist Pond Snowy Plover 5/9/2006 Alpaugh area Snowy Plover 4/15/2006 Tulare WTP Snowy Plover Lake Kaweah bird Datebegin location Semipalmated Sandpiper 9/15/2009 Stoil Pond Semipalmated Sandpiper 8/9/2008 Alpaugh Irrigation Dist Pond Semipalmated Sandpiper 7/27/2007 Tulare WTP Semipalmated Sandpiper 9/2/2006 Kansas Ave Pond Semipalmated Sandpiper 8/20/2006 Tulare WTP Semipalmated Sandpiper 7/13/1998 Alpaugh area Semipalmated Sandpiper 9/9/1990 Alpaugh area Moved to Rare Local bird Datebegin location Scott's Oriole 5/26/2007 Chimney Peak Byway Scott's Oriole 6/22/2007 Chimney Peak Byway Scott's Oriole 5/1/2007 Kennedy Meadows Scott's Oriole 6/14/2006 Chimney Peak Byway Scott's Oriole Chimney Peak Byway Scott's Oriole 5/15/2006 Chimney Peak Byway Also under consideration are Franklin's Gull Thayer's Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Common Tern Which look to be yearly but only in the last 5-6 years or so. First Co record for Franklin's Gull is 2004 If we get Common-ground Dove again in 2010 it will automatically go from Casual to Rare as a range expanding species. Summers keeps lobbing to move Swainson's Thrush from Rare to Uncommon but I keep missing it some years so am reluctant. I really appreciate any comments, suggestions, and/or corrections John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Tulare Co end of year - 270 birds all observers From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:56:38 -0000 Hello all, Dec 27, 2009 - still a few days left but this will probably hold Highlights 2 new county records for 2009 Common Ground-Dove Aug, Avenue 64 near Road 168: Ali Sheehey Chimney Swift Sep, Tule River Porterville: Steve Summers 2nd county record the 1st record was 32 years ago - Visalia WTP, 10 July 1977 Bob Barnes Ruddy Turnstone Aug, Visalia WTP: John Lockhart Past years 2006 - 274 birds all observers 2007 - 283 birds all observers 2008 - 270 birds all observers 2009 - 270 birds all observers Misses of birds Abundant - Rare 6 Rare Tundra Swan - a privately reported swan turned out to be a Mute Swan Pacific Golden-Plover Red-naped Sapsucker Sage Thrasher Grasshopper Sparrow Scott's Oriole Birds Found , Place, First finder Casual and Accidental 13 Rough-legged Hawk Feb, Alpaugh Allensworth fields Ruddy Turnstone Aug, Visalia WTP: John Lockhart Sanderling Sep, Tulare WTP: John Lockhart Stilt Sandpiper Aug, Alpaugh Id Pond: John Lockhart Ruff Jan, Alpaugh Irrigation Pond: John Lockhart Franklin's Gull Aug, Stoil Pond: John Lockhart Thayer's Gull Jan, Alpaugh Irrigation Pond: Steve Summers Glaucous-winged Gull Jan, Porterville Dump: known from 08 Common Ground-Dove Aug, Avenue 64 near Road 168: Ali Sheehey Chimney Swift Sep, Tule River Porterville: Steve Summers Bell's Vireo Sep, Tule River Porterville: Steve Summers Summer Tanager Jun, Parker Pass Rd: Steve Summers Indigo Bunting Jun, Generals Hwy Ampatheater Pt area: John Harshman Rare 26 Ross's Goose Jan, Pixley NWR: Steve Summers Cackling Goose Jan, Bravo Lake: known from 08 Eurasian Wigeon Jan, Lake Success: known from 08 Blue-winged Teal Mar, Hwy 43 Road 64 Pond: John Lockhart Common Goldeneye Jan, Bravo Lake: John Lockhart Red-breasted Merganser Jan, Success Lake: known from 2008 Chukar Oct, Bald Mountain: Alison Sheehey, Sussan Steele Common Loon Mar, Success Lake: John Lockhart Horned Grebe Dec, Caldwell Ponds: Chris Hiatt Snowy Plover May, Tulare WTP: John Lockhart Solitary Sandpiper Aug, Visalia WTP: Rob Hansen Willet Aug, Stoil Pond: Steve Summers Semipalmated Sandpiper Sep, Stoil Pond: John Lockhart Baird's Sandpiper Aug, Alpaugh ID Pond: Steve Summers Short-billed Dowitcher Aug, Alpaugh Id Pond: John Lockhart Long-eared Owl Jan, Lake Success: known from 08 Short-eared Owl Jan, Lake Success: known from 08 Costa's Hummingbird May, Kennedy Meadow Road, Jeff Seay Black-backed Woodpecker Jul, Seville Lake Trl SNF/SNP: Kevin Enns-Rempel Willow Flycatcher May, BLM Headquarters Alpaugh, Steve Laymon Purple Martin Mar, Dry Creek Dr: John Lockhart Bank Swallow Aug, Tulare WTP: Steve Summers Swainson's Thrush ?,?, Steve Summers Black-throated Sparrow May, Sherman Pass Rd: John Lockhart White-throated Sparrow Jan, Hwy 99 Ave 24 N of Delano, Dominick Mosur Pine Grosbeak July, Weaver Lake Jennie Lake trail crossing, John Lockhart John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings Mountain Plovers From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:05:25 -0000 Today along York Ave about 1.5 mi south of Highway 41 were 33 Mountain Plovers. Mark StacySubject: Kings Eurasion Wigeon and others From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:47:00 -0000 Birders, Today at the Nevada Ave. ponds there was a single male Eurasian Wigeon with about 30 Americans. Most of the ducks here are on the northeastern-most pond that is visible from Nevada Ave and the pond immediately to the south of that one. Elsewhere around the county: One Sanderling continues at the Jack Stone Ponds One Brown Creeper continues along the Tule River s. of Corcoran One White-throated Sparrow continues at my home in Lemoore Mark StacySubject: Kings Golden-crowned Kinglet From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:22:21 -0000 Howdy, Went out to Lemoore's golf course this morning in hopes that the players would get a late start today. They did (8:30 instead of 7:00) so I was able to cover part of this productive but rarely visited area. Best bird by far was a single Golden-crowned Kinglet in some pines along the north edge of the course. Fortunately these pines can be checked from the road (18 1/4, aka Champion St). Happy Holidays, Mark StacySubject: Kings Cackling Goose From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:02:18 -0000 Hi all, Today at the Corcoran Reservoir there was a Cackling Goose of dark-breasted variety. It wasn't obviously associating with any other waterfowl and was circling around in the air as I left. Two Common Goldeneye continue at the Hanford wastewater plant. Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: new to your group From: "mrhigg1967 AT verizon.net" <mrhigg1967@verizon.net> Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:32:53 -0000 I'm Maralou. Some of you have met me before, but I've been unable to come to any birding activities for awhile. I had a couple of interesting birds at my feeder this month. Mixed in with the usual Lesser goldfinches have been a couple of African Zebra finches, and hanging out with the Oregon juncos, have been 3 or 4 Eurasian collared doves. I was wondering if they are escapees from someone's aviary, or if a local population has been established?Subject: Tulare WTP, Caldwall Ponds From: "hiattbee" <hiattch AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:06:16 -0000 Yesterday on my way to Lindsay on work, I stopped by the Visalia WTP, coots and shovelers and not much else. But just north of there the field south of 198 and that road the plant is on, a tractor is discing and there was a dozen cattle egrets and gulls way out in the middle I couldn't id. At the Caldwall ponds, there was EARED GREBE, HORNED GREBE,SONG SPARROW,tree swallows, coots, yellowlegs,same ducks. Then didn't see anything at the stockman ponds besides a few mallards and shovelers but did have a COOPERS HAWK fly into some trees by a house. Proceeding to the Tulare WTP had mainly shovelers to the amount of 500 probably in the 8 or 10 ponds I looked at. A lone canadian goose and a few red tailed hawks was about it. Now looking how long this is, sure didn't see much, but I don't post here often so what the hey. Hopefully can get more Tulare county birds on either of the joint fresno-tulare audubon trips this spring. Keep on birding, Chris Hiatt Madera RanchosSubject: Tar Canyon Correction should be Rock NOT Canyon Wren From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:10:00 -0000 In entering yesterdays ebird report I checked the wrong box. It should read 3 rock wren not 3 Canyon Wren which would have been 1 of my target birds. Sorry John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings Co Tar Canyon plus From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:51:49 -0000 Tuesday, Dec 15, 2009 I took the day off and went to Kings. I got the key to Tar Canyon at 8:00 am Not very birdy I didn't get any of my upper canyon target birds. I walked out to the first gray pines. 5 Western Bluebird at the green corral. Location: Big Tar Canyon Rd Observation date: 12/15/09 Number of species: 22 California Quail 15 Red-tailed Hawk 4 Ferruginous Hawk 1 American Kestrel 2 Northern Flicker 2 Black Phoebe 1 Say's Phoebe 5 Loggerhead Shrike 2 Western Scrub-Jay 3 Common Raven 5 Horned Lark 60 Canyon Wren 3 Western Bluebird 5 European Starling 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 California Towhee 2 Vesper Sparrow 1 Lark Sparrow 120 Savannah Sparrow 50 White-crowned Sparrow 160 Dark-eyed Junco 20 House Finch 110 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) Came back over Utica and Homeland Canal and then up along 6th with a smattering of waterfowl and gulls but nothing worth driving down there for. Lots of flooded fields but no concentrations of birds. I ended with the Corcoran Reservoir - 3 Ross's Goose continue Lots and lots of gulls at least 6000 Location: Corcoran Reservoir Observation date: 12/15/09 Number of species: 15 Ross's Goose 3 Mallard 25 Canvasback 1 Bufflehead 1 Eared Grebe 15 Western Grebe 3 Clark's Grebe 60 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 5 Snowy Egret 14 White-faced Ibis 400 Ring-billed Gull 2000 California Gull 4000 Herring Gull 3 Savannah Sparrow 3 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings Co. Ross's Goose, Swainson's Hawk & Brewer's Sparrow From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:20:28 -0000 Took advantage of a break in the rain for some birding. Ross's Goose: 3 birds at Corcoran Reservoir Swainson's Hawk: One circling over the new West Hills College campus in Lemoore Brewer's Sparrow: One in a mixed sparrow flock to the south of West Hills Campus in a weedy / marshy area. I don't think any other birders have visited this area but it has potential. There are rails and lots of sparrows. I keep checking it in hopes of a bittern. Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: Kings County Sage Thrasher, Common Goldeneye, Mountain Plover From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:49:58 -0000 Sunday Dec 6, 2009 I started predawn looking for owls south of Avenal - 1 Barn Owl I then birded the Hwy 41 York-Pyramid area. Sage Sparrow, Ferruginous Hawks and Mountain Plover. The plovers were near the county line south of Hwy 41 near a coral. On my way out on Hwy 41 I stopped to get a better look at a hawk and found a Sage Thrasher mile marked 6.5 before the top of the hill going west from the junction of Hwy 44 and Hwy 33, The Red Barn (closed gas station). Mark didn't get my message until the afternoon but could not relocate the bird. I then drove Devil's Den Road and came across Utica with nothing to report. The flooded fields between 4th and 6th and between the Homeland Canal and Virgina plus some west of 6th have water and birds but not vast numbers. The flooded fields between 4th and 6th and south of Utica have growing duck diversity and a fair number of birds. Both had no rarities I could find. Corcoran Reservoir - 2000 plus gulls and lots of other birds but nothing unusual. I couldn't find the Red-necked Grebe which was reported last Thursday on CountyBirds although I didn't exhaust every possibility. Hanford WTP - 2 female Common Goldeneye, Mark found these and had called me earlier in the day. 900 Canvasback and a fair duck diversity. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Mountain Plovers-Kings/Kern Co. From: "carlagary" <carlagary AT ncinternet.net> Date: Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:14:10 -0000 20 Mountain Plovers continue in a field 1 miles north of the Kern/Kings Co. line on Ave 6 at 10.00am this morning. first posted yesterday by Bob Battagin on countybirders list. Also this morning I had 52 Mountain Plovers in a field on the north side of Garces Hwy just outside the entrance to the Kern National Wildlife Refuge.(Kern Co.) Gary File BakersfieldSubject: NAB Reminder From: Jeff Davis <jndavis AT ucsc.edu> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 19:50:00 -0800 Dear North American Birds contributors,
The fall season has come to a close. Please submit your noteworthy
bird records from the Northern California Region for the period 1
August – 30 November to the appropriate Subregional Editors (SREs) by
10 December.
SREs diligently keep track of records within their counties. By
sending your records to the SREs, you are contributing to their
county files as well as to North American Birds. If you wish to send
records to the Regional Editors, we welcome them. But please send
records to the SREs as well. If you have a noteworthy record from a
county without an SRE, please send it to the Regional Editors.
SUBREGIONAL EDITORS
Alameda (ALA)
Bob Richmond
24650 Amador St. #15
Hayward, CA 94544
brichmond94544 AT earthlink.net
Alpine (ALP), Calaveras (CLV), Modoc (MOD), & Yolo (YOL)
John Sterling
29 Palm Ave.
Woodland, CA 95695
jsterling AT wavecable.com
Amador (AMA) & El Dorado (ED)
Tim Steurer
4042 Bancroft Dr.
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
tsteurer AT hotmail.com
Butte (BUT), Colusa (COL), Glenn (GLE), Tehama (TEH), & Yuba (YUB)
Bruce Deuel
18730 Live Oak Rd.
Red Bluff, CA 96080
bdeuel AT wildblue.net
Contra Costa (CC)
Steve Glover
5108 Shelly Ray Rd.
Keller, TX 76244
countylines AT sbcglobal.net
Fresno (FRE)
Gary W. Potter
2183 Walton Ave.
Sanger, CA 93657
gwpott AT aol.com
Humboldt (HUM)
Rob Fowler
2277 Heather Ln., Apt. D
Arcata, CA 95521
migratoriusfwlr AT gmail.com
Kings (KIN)
Jeff Seay
7815 N. Palm Ave., Ste. 310
Fresno, CA 93711
jseay AT harveyecology.com
Lake (LAK)
Jerry R. White
P.O. Box 113
Kelseyville, CA 95451
grwhite AT jps.net
Lassen (LAS)
Ken Able
Bob’s Creek Ranch
535-000 Little Valley Rd.
McArthur, CA 96056
kenable AT hughes.net
Madera (MAD)
Jeff N. Davis
7815 N. Palm Ave., Ste, 310
Fresno, CA 93711
jdavis AT harveyecology.com
Marin (MRN)
Ryan Terrill
1619 El Dorado St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
enicurus AT yahoo.com
Mariposa (MRP)
David Vander Pluym
1683 Buena Vista St.
Ventura, CA 93001
scre AT aol.com
Mendocino (MEN)
Bob Keiffer
P.O. Box 354
Hopland, CA 95449
rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu
Merced (MER) & San Benito (SBT)
Kent Van Vuren
26 Vista Dr.
Salinas, CA 93907
vanvurenk AT aol.com
Mono (MNO)
Kristie Nelson
P.O. Box 402
Lee Vining, CA 93541
storm_petrel AT hotmail.com
Monterey (MTY)
Don Roberson
282 Grove Acre
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
creagrus AT montereybay.com
Napa (NAP)
Murray Burner
210 Monte Vista
Napa, CA 94558
vireocity AT hotmail.com
Nevada (NEV)
Rudy Darling
12143 Big Blue Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959
rdarling AT sbbmail.com
Placer (PLA)
Ed Pandolfino
5530 Del Rose Crt.
Carmichael, CA 95608
erpfromca AT aol.com
Plumas (PLU) & Sierra (SIE)
Colin Dillingham
400 First St.
Quincy, CA 95971
cdillingham AT fs.fed.us
Sacramento (SAC)
Chris Conard
2405 Rio Bravo Cir.
Sacramento, CA 95826
conardc AT gmail.com
San Francisco (SF)
Mainland: Mark Eaton
1524 36th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94122
mweaton AT pacbell.net
San Francisco (SF)
Farallones: Jim Tietz
P.O. Box 373
Shaver Lake, CA 93664
jimtietz AT yahoo.com
San Joaquin (SJ)
Frances Oliver
1817 Songbird Pl.
Lodi, CA 95240
hummer52 AT sbcglobal.net
San Mateo (SM)
Peter J. Metropulos
2940 Turk Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
pjmetrop AT pacbell.net
Santa Clara (SCL)
William G. Bousman
321 Arlington Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025
barlowi AT earthlink.net
Santa Cruz (SCZ)
David Suddjian and Steve Gerow
801 Monterey Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
dsuddjian AT aol.com
stephengerow AT aol.com
Shasta (SHA)
Bob Yutzy
P.O. Box 990237
Redding, CA 96099
boby AT c-zone.net
Siskiyou (SIS)
Ray Ekstrom
2209 Delphic Rd.
Montague, CA 96064
Solano (SOL)
Robin Leong
336 Benson Ave.
Vallejo, CA 94590
robin_leong AT netzero.net
Sonoma (SON)
Ruth Rudesill
P.O. Box 371
Kenwood, CA 95452
ruthier AT sonic.net
Stanislaus (STA)
Harold Reeve
birder AT sbcglobal.net
Trinity (TRI)
John E. Hunter
P.O. Box 4483
Arcata, CA 95518
jhunter323 AT aol.com
Tulare (TUL)
Steven Summers
2553 W. Michelle Ln.
Porterville, CA 93257
summers AT ocnet.net
Tuolumne (TUO)
Steven Umland
15818 Parkridge Ave.
Sonora, CA 95370
sumland AT skywayusa.net
REGIONAL EDITORS
Mike Rogers
(waterfowl through quail and herons through shorebirds)
499 Novato Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
m.m.rogers AT comcast.net
Steve Rottenborn
(loons through frigatebirds and larids through alcids)
983 University Ave., Bldg. D
Los Gatos, CA 95032
srottenborn AT harveyecology.com
Jeff Davis
(doves through thrushes/Wrentit)
7815 N. Palm Ave., Ste. 310
Fresno, CA 93711
jdavis AT harveyecology.com
Ed Pandolfino
(thrashers through finches)
5530 Delrose Crt.
Carmichael, CA 95608
erpfromca AT aol.com
The Reporting Deadlines are:
Spring Summer Fall Winter
Season ends May 31 July 31 Nov 30 Feb 28
Observer reports to Subregional Editors (SREs)
June 10 Aug 10 Dec 10 Mar 10
Observer reports to Regional Editors (if not sent to SRE)
June 10 Aug 10 Dec 10 Mar 10
SRE reports to Regional Editors
June 20 Aug 20 Dec 20 Mar 20
Regional Editors final text to ABA office
July 10 Sep 10 Jan 10
Apr 10
Please send reports in our database format: species, date(s)
[including year], locale separated by a space from county
abbreviation, number of birds, and observers, and then, on a second
line, any comments. Please separate these sections by a
"tab" (except just a space between locale and county abbreviation).
Here's an example of the correct format:
Grace's Warbler 12/13/98-2/20/99 Jacks Peak
MTY 1 RFT, mob
A second record for the Region (the first was 6/26/91 at Deer
Spring, Glass Mt. MNO) which wintered with a large flock of
Townsend's & Hermit warblers at the very top of Jacks Peak in Jacks
Peak Regional Park. Details by Tintle and others are enclosed.
Many thanks to all contributors and Subregional Editors who make
these reports possible!
Sincerely,
Jeff Davis, Ed Pandolfino, Steve Rottenborn, and Mike Rogers
Northern California Regional Editors
(North American Birds is a quarterly journal of ornithological record
published by the American Birding Association. For details see
http://www.aba.org/nab/.)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Subject: Short-eared Owl is back at Lake Success Wildlife Refuge 11/28/09From: "Tony Kurz" <tonyk_71220 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:17:40 -0000 While hunting phesants Friday 1 Short-eared Owl flushed around 10 AM at the Lake Success Wildlife Refuge. Tony KurzSubject: Red-Necked Grebe From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:48:38 -0800 The RED-NECKED GREBE was still at Corcoran Reservoir early this
afternoon. It was swimming along the northern edge of the reservoir.
Also seen today were 5 SAGE SPARROWS just north of the western
end of County Line Rd., a MERLIN tucked into a bare tree where Mussel
Slough crosses Kent Ave. between 16th and 17th Aves. and 7 COMMON
MERGANSERS on one of the flooded fields between Virginia and the
Homeland Canal along 6th.
There were many flooded and flooding fields in the Homeland
Canal and 6th area, with many shorebirds and a few gulls but I
couldn't pull out anything uncommon. The Kent Ave. ponds have a lot of
birds, but the Jersey Ave. ponds are pretty small.
Kathy Parker
Los Gatos
Subject: Kings Co. Rough-legged Hawk and Mountain BluebirdsFrom: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:41:39 -0000 Was very pleased to find a dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk off Highway 41 about one mile east of York Ave today. The bluebirds (about 100 of them) were in a pasture on the north side of Utica Ave about 3 miles east of I-5 (near the isolated eucalyptus grove). Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: Red-necked Grebe From: "carlagary" <carlagary AT ncinternet.net> Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:45:20 -0000 The Red-necked Grebe still continues this morning at 7:20 in the southwest corner of the reservoir. Gary File BakersfieldSubject: Red-necked Grebe Correction From: "Gary L" <birds_i_vue AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:04:50 -0000 Change southeast to southwest corner of reservoir. GarySubject: Red-neck Grebe Photos From: "Gary L" <birds_i_vue AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:43:33 -0000 Red-neck Grebe continues at Corcoran Reservoir. Went out at 3:30 PM on November 22 and found grebe actively feeding along the north shore. Went out again at 10:30 AM on November 23 and found RnGr feeding actively at the southeast corner close to shore. RnGr seems to keep separate from the many Clark's Grebes. I attached 3 photos. in Gary LindquistSubject: CORRECTION - Jersey Ponds not NEW Jersey Ave Ponds From: "luv2bird2" <jillrucker AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:42:19 -0000 A little bird whispered to me that I was too focused on watching TV. Jon Bon Jovi (from New Jersey) appeared on Inside the Actors Studio while I was trying to type my species list location at Jersey/Kent Avenue Ponds. And guess what? Yes I typed New Jersey Ponds. Oops - what a dumb bird 80's move. "Watch the birdie." Jill Rucker Fresno, CASubject: Fresno Audubon Society - member list from Nov. 21 From: "luv2bird2" <jillrucker AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:41:50 -0000 Kings County along Highway 41 and New Jersey Avenue Ponds Pied-billed Grebe (3) Eared Grebe (4) American White Pelican (220) Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Cattle Egret Black-crowned Night-Heron White-faced Ibis Mallard Northern Pintail (2) Northern Shoveler Ring-necked Duck Ruddy Duck Northern Harrier Red-tailed Hawk Ferruginous Hawk Golden Eagle American Kestrel American Coots Killdeer Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Ring-billed Gull California Gull Small Gulls (6) not identified but possibly Bonaparte's Rock Dove Mourning Dove Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe American Crow Common Raven Northern Mockingbird Loggerhead Shrike European Starling Yellow-rumped Warbler Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Western Meadowlark House Finch House Sparrow "Watch the birdie." Jill Rucker Fresno, CASubject: Some Kings Co. Birds From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:44:47 -0000 Hey everyone, In addition to the Red-necked Grebe which was still present this afternoon: Canada Goose: About 300 at the 6th & Utica Ave flooded field Snow Goose: One at 6th & Utica field Sanderling: One continues at Jack Stone Ponds Merlin: One at Tule River s. of Corcoran and one along "County Line Rd" Brown Creeper: Two along s. fence of Burris Park; one along Tule River White-th. Sparrow: still at my house 100 species made for a pretty birdy day. Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: Red-necked Grebe continues From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:25:47 -0000 Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 I went predawn to the Atwell Island BLM area in Kings to look for Short-eared Owl without any success. Many shorebirds and good numbers of gulls in ponds between 4th and 6th and Virgina and Homeland canal. Ponds at 6th and Utica still active. Red-necked Grebe was just 20 feet out at the main parking area at the Corcoran Reservoir. Violet-green Swallow in with Tree Swallow. Rob Hansen reported that they were there yesterday as well. Few ducks. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Red-necked Grebe continues at Corcoran Irrigation District pond From: "jeff67632003" <jseay AT harveyecology.com> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:33:46 -0000 Jim Lomax, Rob Hansen and I saw the Red-necked Grebe at the Corcoran Irrigation District pond on Nevada Ave. east of Highway 43 this morning. The bird was most often along the northern edge of the pond, towards the northwest corner. Sometimes it associated with the Clark's Grebes, sometimes not. Jeff Seay Fresno, CASubject: Red-Necked Grebe at Corcoran Reservoir From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:32:17 -0000 Friday Nov 20, 2009 I found a Red-Necked Grebe around 3:00 pm this afternoon in blustery conditions that gave me poor looks but I was about 80% sure and called Mark Stacy, Steve Summers, and Rob Hansen. The wind died down and I got good looks but probably poor photos, will have to wait to see. Mark and Steve got there very quickly and both confirmed the sighting all of getting good looks. 1st county record, Kings County bird 302 Rob has informed that a Northern Shrike should be added to the list from the 1980s. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: 6th Ave From: scre AT aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:24:35 -0500 At sunset this evening Lauren Harter and I drove along 6th Ave from the Kern County line to Utica Ave. There are a couple flooded fields about 4 miles south of Utica that had at least a thousand Dowitchers/Dunlin on them. Also at Utica and 6th the fields there had more shorebirds a small gull flock and 20 C Mergansers. A couple places worth checking if your in the area. David Vander Pluym Ventura, Ca [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Lesser Black-backed Gull died Tuesday, Nov 17 around 11:00 am From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:00:53 -0000 The Gull was collected, apperently a first state speciemen record and is currently residing in Steve Summers freezer. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Lesser Black-backed Gull still present at the Kent Ave. Ponds in Kings County From: "jeff67632003" <jseay AT harveyecology.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:19:58 -0000 Rob Hansen just called to say that the Lesser Black-backed Gull was still present at the Jersey/ Kent Ave ponds west of Highway 41. The bird was in the northwest portion of the southern most of the 3 ponds. The bird is listing somewhat and appears to be in poor health, so listers might hurry! Jeff Seay FresnoSubject: NO Lesser Black-backed Gull From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:25:19 -0000 I received a call about an hour before dark that Gary Woods had what he believed was a Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Jersey Ponds in Kings Co. today. I quickly checked all three cells and found ZERO gulls of any species. Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: Corcoran Reservoir this morning From: "Steve & Priscilla Summers" <summers AT ocsnet.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:19:14 -0800 I visited Corcoran Reservoir this morning to look for a couple of birds (Horned Grebe & Red-br. Merganser) that have been reported from here as of late. Both would have been county birds for me but no luck with either one. But I didn't come away empty handed. After diligently searching for the above species I was walking east on the south dike about mid-way when a ROCK WREN popped up seemingly quite happy amid the jumbled, broken-up concrete rip-rap substitute for his normal rocky habitat. Not only a first for me for Kings Co. but also my first San Joaquin Valley floor Rock Wren. That was a surprise. I then decided to walk up the east dike to try to get a closer view of the gull flock when a CACKLING GOOSE flew by (not a county bird for me). As I approached closer to the gull flock a flock of nine white birds started circling over them. They were white geese so I set my scope on them to see if I could pick out my county Ross's. The first one I scoped was a ROSS'S GOOSE, as was the second, and third thru ninth...yup a homogenous flock of Ross's Geese. Six of them settled down amid the gulls and three flew off to the west side of the reservoir. Steve Summers PortervilleSubject: Kings Co.Birds From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:39:25 -0000 Thanks to the hard work of John and Steve I was able to add 5 birds to my year list this weekend: Snow Goose: Jersey Ponds Western Screech-Owl: Kings Row Short-eared Owl: at the previously described location, though I saw it about 1/4 mile south of the harvesters Sage Sparrow: at the end of "County Line Road" west of 6th Ave Red-breasted Merganser: one female at the Corcoran Reservoir today Couldn't find any Mountain Bluebirds in the Avenal/Kettleman area... Year Total: 219 Thanks to John and Steve for all their help/posts! Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: Kings Short-eared Owl From: "Steve & Priscilla Summers" <summers AT ocsnet.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:43:41 -0800 This late afternoon (11/14) Priscilla and I headed over to Kings Co. to look for Short-eared Owls. On our way we stopped by the Tulare Co. ground dove location east of Earlimart but had no luck with the doves, but we were there only briefly. We did however have four MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS along Rd. 168 just north of Ave. 56. Over in Kings Co. we looked for Short-eared Owls in the field west of the Poso Canal. We parked along the Homeland Canal and watched a beautiful sunset which included a very nice Green Flash. Shortly after 5pm a single SHORT-EARED OWL appeared briefly down near the ancient harvesters. If you plug the following lat/long into Google Earth you'll see where we parked: 35.869845 -119.556376 Steve Summers PortervilleSubject: Kings Co - Red-breasted Merganser From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:15:01 -0000 Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 I started predawn at Kings Row and got a Western Screech-Owl I then birded around Jack Stone Pond - Sanderling continues, Bogg's Slough, Elgin Slough, Hickey Park - Lewis's Woodpecker continues. Went by Mark's and saw his White-throated Sparrow Kent and Jersey Ave had a nice selection of birds including a Snow Goose Heading over to Avenal I found Mountain Bluebird near the top of Skyline. I birded York/Piramid roads and found Sage Sparrow in the oil field. I came back over Kettleman City and went by the Nevade Ave ponds which are totally dry Corcoran Reservoir was full of birds. 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 2200 gulls, 1200 White-faced Ibis Location: Corcoran Reservoir Observation date: 11/14/09 Number of species: 20 Gadwall 8 Northern Shoveler 2 Northern Pintail 25 Canvasback 80 Red-breasted Merganser 8 Eared Grebe 20 Western Grebe 2 Clark's Grebe 110 American White Pelican 20 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 15 Snowy Egret 20 White-faced Ibis 1200 American Coot 20 American Avocet 2 Least Sandpiper 2 Ring-billed Gull 200 California Gull 2000 Herring Gull 10 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) I was off to look for Short-eared Owl around 6th and Utica when my Jeep failed and had to AAA it home. 86 species on a great day of birding. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: GREATER ROADRUNNER From: "Luv2bird" <jillrucker AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:18:24 -0000 Yesterday's holiday was not the normal disappointment of doing laundry all day and watching mindless trash TV, thanks to the Fresno Audubon Society's Wednesday Walk group, and to Gary of the Tulare/Kings Audubon it was a great (or greater) day for surprises. I loved the trip to Yokohl Valley Rd. in Tulare County and seeing the beautiful black crest, and tail feathers of the GREATER ROADRUNNER. I will put photos in my Luv2bird album in the Fresno COunty Birders Yahoo Group of the Barn Owl and little Canyon Wren that knew how to run through an underground drainage pipe and perch on the other side of the road just for a photo op. That was one smart little wren, and that cuckoo was no chicken either. "Watch the birdie." Jill Rucker Fresno, CASubject: Kings Co Update From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:14:01 -0000 Saturday, Nov 8, 2009 I came down through Tulare which is still dry. Dead Pig Stoil Alpaugh ID pond are basically birdless. Field at 4th and Tucson - has turned to mud many many birds but I couldn't find any rarities. Will soon be dry. Location: Field 4th and Tucson Observation date: 11/7/09 Number of species: 21 Great Blue Heron 3 Great Egret 14 Snowy Egret 10 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Sandhill Crane 60 Killdeer 40 Greater Yellowlegs 10 Western Sandpiper 200 Least Sandpiper 1200 Dunlin 5000 Long-billed Dowitcher 4000 Ring-billed Gull 2 California Gull 4 Black Phoebe 2 Common Raven 2 Horned Lark 100 Tree Swallow 600 American Pipit 25 Savannah Sparrow 3 Western Meadowlark 6 Brewer's Blackbird 20 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Field 6th and Utica is full but slow. New field on 6th between Virgina and Homeland Canal. Starting to shape up. Went out across Utica and through Devil Den's to York with very few birds. Bumped into Mark out there whose highlight was 1 Vesper Sparrow. I came back through Avenal with nothing to report. Sunday Nov 9, 2009 With Debby and Mary Merriman we started at the Cartwright Reservoir, right of HWY 198 just east of Hanford. Worth checking nice duck selection but no rarities. Kings Row - Very birdy Location: Kings Row Observation date: 11/8/09 Number of species: 37 California Quail 16 Red-shouldered Hawk (California) 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 2 Rock Pigeon 35 Mourning Dove 2 Anna's Hummingbird 1 Acorn Woodpecker 4 Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 Nuttall's Woodpecker 5 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 3 Black Phoebe 2 Western Scrub-Jay 20 Common Raven 3 Tree Swallow 1 Bushtit 60 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 House Wren 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10 Western Bluebird 3 American Robin 30 Northern Mockingbird 8 European Starling 140 Orange-crowned Warbler 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 80 Spotted Towhee 3 California Towhee 2 Lincoln's Sparrow 5 White-crowned Sparrow 80 Golden-crowned Sparrow 15 Dark-eyed Junco 7 Red-winged Blackbird 10 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 House Finch 20 Lesser Goldfinch 10 House Sparrow 15 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Went along the Sportsman's club and Bogg's Slough Had 6 late Swainson's Hawk working a tractor ploughing a field. 2 White-tailed Kite We went by Jackstone pond - quiet Kent and Jersey Ponds - Nice late - Wilson's Phalarope 1 40-50 Bonaparte's Gull Nice shorebird viewing no rarities found. We went by Mark's to try for the sparrow but will have to try again. John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Kings White-th. Sparrow and Others From: "markstacybirds" <monkletgimp AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:56:35 -0000 My White-throated Sparrow has returned. If anyone wants to try for it, I live at 105 Champion Street in Lemoore. You're welcome to walk around the south side of the house to the back. The sparrows come to feed beneath the large pomegranate tree along the south fence line. The Jack Stone ponds have one Sanderling. Two Horned Grebes continued at the Jersey Ponds yesterday. The Hickey Park Lewis's Woodpecker was still there last weekend. The park is now closed but it may be visible from the southwest corner of the park if still present. Mark Stacy LemooreSubject: Tulare Co Year to Date 269 species all observers From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:29:42 -0000 Oct 31, 2009 We only added Chukar, Oct, Bald Mountain: Alison Sheehey, Sussan Steele Year totals: 2006 274 2007 283 2008 270 We still need. 6 Rare Tundra Swan Horned Grebe Pacific Golden-Plover Red-naped Sapsucker Sage Thrasher Grasshopper Sparrow All of which are possible this winter. I have found 2 of these birds in Kings Co in the last 2 months this year. Tulare Co 2009 269 October 31, 2009 All Observers Exceptional 17 Red-breasted Merganser Jan, Success Lake: known from 2008 Common Loon Mar, Success Lake: John Lockhart Rough-legged Hawk Feb, Alpaugh Allensworth fields Snowy Plover May, Tulare WTP: John Lockhart Ruddy Turnstone Aug, Visalia WTP: John Lockhart Sanderling Sep, Tulare WTP: John Lockhart Semipalmated Sandpiper Sep, Stoil Pond: John Lockhart Stilt Sandpiper Aug, Alpaugh Id Pond: John Lockhart Ruff Jan, Alpaugh Irrigation Pond: John Lockhart Franklin's Gull Aug, Stoil Pond: John Lockhart Thayer's Gull Jan, Alpaugh Irrigation Pond: Steve Summers Glaucous-winged Gull Jan, Porterville Dump: known from 08 Common Ground-Dove Aug, Avenue 64 near Road 168: Ali Sheehey Chimney Swift Sep, Tule River Porterville: Steve Sumers Bell's Vireo Sep, Tule River Porterville: Steve Sumers Summer Tanager Jun, Parker Pass Rd: Steve Summers Indigo Bunting Jun, Generals Hwy Ampatheater Pt area: John Harshman 21 Rare Ross's Goose Jan, Pixley NWR: Steve Summers Cackling Goose Jan, Bravo Lake: known from 08 Eurasian Wigeon Jan, Lake Success: known from 08 Blue-winged Teal Mar, Hwy 43 Road 64 Pond: John Lockhart Common Goldeneye Jan, Bravo Lake: John Lockhart Chukar Oct, Bald Mountain: Alison Sheehey, Sussan Steele Solitary Sandpiper Aug, Visalia WTP: Rob Hansen Willet Aug, Stoil Pond: Steve Summers Baird's Sandpiper Aug, Alpaugh ID Pond: Steve Summers Short-billed Dowitcher Aug, Alpaugh Id Pond: John Lockhart Long-eared Owl Jan, Lake Success: known from 08 Short-eared Owl Jan, Lake Success: known from 08 Costa's Hummingbird May, Kennedy Meadow Road, Jeff Seay Black-backed Woodpecker Jul, Seville Lake Trl SNF/SNP: Kevin Enns-Rempel Willow Flycatcher May, BLM Headquarters Alpaugh, Steve Laymon Purple Martin Mar, Dry Creek Dr: John Lockhart Bank Swallow Aug, Tulare WTP: Steve Summers Swainson's Thrush ?,?, Steve Summers Black-throated Sparrow May, Sherman Pass Rd: John Lockhart White-throated Sparrow Jan, Hwy 99 Ave 24 N of Delano, Dominick Mosur Pine Grosbeak July, Weaver Lake Jennie Lake trail crossing, John Lockhart John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: SE Kings Co From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:58:03 -0000 Saturday 31 October 2009 I started predawn looking for but not finding Short-eared Owl on Utica between 6th and 4th. I found a dead one in the road there about a week ago. 4th and Tucson ponds are still going strong Location: field 4th and Tucson Observation date: 10/31/09 Number of species: 25 Mallard 11 Northern Shoveler 80 Bufflehead 3 Eared Grebe 8 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 8 Snowy Egret 12 White-faced Ibis 300 Northern Harrier 2 Red-tailed Hawk 2 American Kestrel 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 American Coot 12 Killdeer 20 Greater Yellowlegs 120 Least Sandpiper 400 Dunlin 300 Long-billed Dowitcher 20 Ring-billed Gull 300 California Gull 40 Herring Gull 1 European Starling 2 American Pipit 12 Savannah Sparrow 5 Brewer's Blackbird 30 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) I found Tricolored, Yellow-headed and Red-winged black bird at the dairy at 6th and Utica. I then went to the Atwell Island area between 6th and the Homeland Canal. The Poso Canal, dry, goes south off the Homeland Canal here. I took this just south of the Turkey Farm. Mountain Plover Location: Poso Canal South Observation date: 10/31/09 Number of species: 5 Mountain Plover 40 Loggerhead Shrike 2 Horned Lark 500 Savannah Sparrow 10 Western Meadowlark 10 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) On private land in Southern Kings Co 60, yes sixty, Willet, amazing, I am not sure how rare this many is at this location but I sure wasn't expecting it. 1 Sanderling John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Re: BBWO - Kern Plateau From: "Steve & Priscilla Summers" <summers AT ocsnet.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:12:12 -0700 I had a successful visit with a male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER this morning (10/29) on Boone Rd. found a few days ago by Ali Sheehay, Susan Steele and Shelley Ellis. There were several Hairy and a couple of White-headed Woodpeckers as well. Boone Rd. (FSR22S20) is about 4.75 miles from the Sherman Pass Vista and then the burn is about 1.7 miles down Boone Rd. Steve Summers PortervilleSubject: Another Kings Co. Lewis's Woodpecker From: "Steve & Priscilla Summers" <summers AT ocsnet.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:06:48 -0700 A LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was along the Tule River off of 6th Ave. this morning. Other birds of interest to me were a Swainson's Hawk, Cedar Waxwings and a Myrtle Warbler. Steve Summers PortervilleSubject: Re: BBWO - Kern Plateau From: "natureali" <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:14:55 -0000 P.S. I will lead a chase on Sunday, November 1st if anyone wants to go. Email me offline. Ali --- In tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Alison SheeheySubject: BBWO - Kern Plateau From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:13:25 -0700 Hi All, Went birding with Susan Steele and Shelley Ellis specifically to find the much sought after but always missed Black-backed Woodpecker on the Kern Plateau. We found three birds in a small burn on Boone Meadow Road several miles off of Sherman Pass Road. This made the 62nd life bird for the year and the 406th bird on my big year. I visited Bald Mountain and as I was leaving I saw a juvenile Northern Goshawk. I will post some photos in the TK birds album later. Ali Sheehey Weldon, CASubject: Plumbeous Vireo & Glaucous-winged Gull Kings Co From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:42:14 -0000 Friday Oct 23, 2009 Corcoran Reservoir - getting birdier with lots of gulls now Flooded field - SE of Utica and 6th - Canada Geese a few shorebirds but might get better Flooded field - NW Tucson (not marked or paved here) and 4th Glaucous-winged Gull Location: field 4th and Tucson Observation date: 10/23/09 Number of species: 21 Canada Goose 40 Gadwall 10 Mallard 15 Northern Shoveler 400 Northern Pintail 30 Ruddy Duck 35 Eared Grebe 15 Great Egret 2 Snowy Egret 5 American Kestrel 1 American Coot 30 Black-necked Stilt 1 American Avocet 17 Greater Yellowlegs 5 Least Sandpiper 80 Long-billed Dowitcher 40 Ring-billed Gull 10 California Gull 15 Glaucous-winged Gull 1 Horned Lark 40 American Pipit 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) BLM Atwell Island - Plumbeous Vireo second county record The exact location is on the dirt road between the canal and the historic harvesters for those that know the area. From Alpaugh drive west out of town and turn south down the canal pass the power lines and take the first tree lined, 5 trees, road. From 6th going south of Virgina take the canal to the east and turn south on the first road. There are just a few trees a couple of tamarisks and a couple of mulefat bushes for the bird to hide in if it stays. I got a quick look went to get my camera and lost it for 15 minuets but then got good looks and called Mark Stacy and Steve Summers. It was to late to chase but Steve called Steve Laymon, whose house can probably be seen from this spot and he came out and we found the bird again confirming my find. Location: Atwell Island BLM Kings Observation date: 10/23/09 Notes: Steve Laymon came and saw the Plumbeous Vireo Number of species: 15 Great Egret 1 Mourning Dove 3 Black Phoebe 1 Plumbeous Vireo 1 Common Raven 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 14 Savannah Sparrow 5 Song Sparrow 1 Lincoln's Sparrow 7 White-crowned Sparrow 15 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Red-winged Blackbird 3 Western Meadowlark 5 House Finch 3 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: First of Season Ferruginous Hawk From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:15:47 -0000 Oct 20, 2009 I spent a liitle time birding in Kings and Tulare Tueaday afternoon without much to report except First of Season First of Season Ferruginous Hawk John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Hickey Park Lewis's Woodpecker From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:09:02 -0000 Saturday, October 17, 2009 I went early am to look for the Palm Warbler, we couldn't find it. Lots of fog until 11:30. Park opens at 10:00 AM (fee) Mark Stacy showed up around 9:00 we birded the perimeter until it opened and walked around the park a couple of times until about 12:30 - 1:00. Lewis's Woodpecker a very good Kings Co bird looked to be very content near the front left hand corner of the park. It was in the same place every time we went to observe it over 2-3 hours. If you walked a 100 yards or so down the left hand (west) fence line on the outside of the park you would be right where we found it. Location: Hickey Park Observation date: 10/17/09 Notes: with Mark Stacy 75% of the time Number of species: 28 American White Pelican 2 Red-shouldered Hawk (California) 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Mourning Dove 2 Anna's Hummingbird 2 Lewis's Woodpecker 1 Acorn Woodpecker 2 Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 Northern Flicker 4 Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 Black Phoebe 3 Western Scrub-Jay (Coastal) 18 American Crow 3 Bushtit 20 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5 American Robin 40 Northern Mockingbird 8 European Starling 60 Cedar Waxwing 200 Orange-crowned Warbler 2 Yellow Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 80 Black-throated Gray Warbler 2 Spotted Towhee 4 White-crowned Sparrow 25 Golden-crowned Sparrow 5 House Finch 20 House Sparrow 10 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) I then went and spent about an hour on Kings Row. Lawernce's Goldfinch continue. Location: Kings Row Observation date: 10/17/09 Number of species: 21 California Quail 22 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 American Kestrel 1 Mourning Dove 1 Acorn Woodpecker 1 Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Black Phoebe 2 Common Raven 2 Bushtit 10 House Wren 1 American Robin 5 Northern Mockingbird 4 Yellow Warbler 10 Spotted Towhee 3 White-crowned Sparrow 15 Golden-crowned Sparrow 2 House Finch 10 Lawernce's Goldfinch 8 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/california/) John Lockhart VisaliaSubject: Al DeMartini finds Palm Warbler in Hickey Park Hanford From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:46:15 -0000 This is a first county record. bird 299 Al posted on Countybirds and I pasted it here. originally posted 5 pm Friday Oct 16. Hickey Park, 16850 Flint Avenue, Hanford, ca Flint and 17th Hey All, Early this afternoon (~1:30ish?) I stopped briefly (~ 5 min )at Hickey Park. Crazily there was a Palm Warbler sharing a Valley Oak with a male Blk-thrt Gray Warb! (right after you pass the Kiosk park & walk north to the big oaksjust south of /at the edge of the lawn depression.) The patchy fog/cloud cover paid off I guess whereas earlier at San Luis Ck(O'Neill Forebay Merced) I had high hopes (due to the Fog etc) but nothing better than 2 Yellow Warbs & 2 late Cliff Swallows. Now off to tortoise work for a couple weeks or so, Cheers, Cheers, Al I am going to go look tomorrow, Saturday, morning John Lockhart VisaiaSubject: Kings County historical Condor records + info on Zoo hatched birds From: "calexandrinus" <j_f_lockhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:56:13 -0000 Kings Co - 298 species I have been looking for a countable Kings Co Californai Condor Record I had little luck on my own so I made a request on CALBIRDS a yahoo group site like this one covering all of Californai. I got a lot of great responces and leads the best of them being from Niel Clipton Hi John, The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto has a California Condor specimen collected in 1897 from Avenal, Kings County. I'm not sure if this meets your definition of "countable", but if so, might be worth looking into to see if more detail on location is available. -Neil I emailed the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and recieved this confirmation Hi: The specimen is a juvenile Male collected 1987 May 1 at Avenal, Kings County, California. It was purchased by James Henry Fleming of Toronto from William F. Rosenberg a Natural History specimen dealer in London, England. Even though he dealt in specimens Rosenberg had his own small collection(s). This is from his personal collection that Fleming purchased from him along with other birds in 1913. Sorry, no collector on the specimen or noted in Fleming's collection register. Brad Millen Natural History-Ornithology/Database Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queen's Park Toronto, Ontario Canada, M5S 2C6 also was from Jeff Davis WILBUR, S. R. 1978. The California Condor, 1966-76: a look at its past and future. N. Am. Fauna, No_ 72, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serv. It includes the following on page 58: Kings County 1970, near Avenal: 3 Sept., 2U (J. Traub). Jeff I haven't actully seen the book yet but am searching for a copy. There are 3 wild hatched "countable" birds in Big Sur this year if they follow the the movements of the 4 zoo hatched birds, see below, then there is a fair chance in the future that many of us will have California Condor on our Kings Co list. I hear they are equipped with tracking devices so maybe just a quick flyby would be recorded and we can add them to all observer year lists in the future once they get up and start moving. The map on P21 is really worth checking out. These are all Zoo hatched birds. http://www.ventanaw s.org/pdf/ about_research/ HTharveyreport_ finalNov07. pdf p 21 that has a nice range map, GPS satellite, of zoo hatched birds based out of Pinnacles NM, 306, 307, 312, and 313 showing that most have entered Kings Co airspace. I also have the following narrative from the Pinnicales NPS site 307 During the October 2004 release event, 307 delighted the crowd with her graceful flight away from the release pen. She was hatched at the LA Zoo on 5/5/03. Equipped with a GPS transceiver, she continued to be one of the most adventurous condors in the flock and was always expanding her range which included San Benito, Monterey, Merced, Fresno, Kings and San Luis Obispo Counties. She underwent multiple rounds of chelation and was released back into the wild. Unfortunately, she was found dead of unknown causes in May of 2007. John Lockhart Visalia |