Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Kern County > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, February 3 at 08:43 PM EST The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Magellanic Plover,©Sophie Webb

04 Feb Galileo Hill (Silver Saddle Ranch) White-breasted Nuthatch 2/3/12 ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ] 03 Feb 2/1-2/12: Kern River Valley & San Joaquin Valley [Bob Barnes ] 2 Feb 4 Lark Buntings on Hwy 58 ["Ali Sheehey" ] 2 Feb Barrow's Goldeneye a sad tale [Alison Sheehey ] 2 Feb Photos of Barrow's Goldeneye [Alison Sheehey ] 2 Feb Barrow's Goldeneye in trouble [Alison Sheehey ] 1 Feb Barrow's Goldeneye continues. [Alison Sheehey ] 31 Jan Merlin east of Lake Ming 1-31-12 ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ] 31 Jan Swainson's Hawks ["kernkel" ] 30 Jan 1/29/12: Great day of birding! [Bob Barnes ] 17 Jan Re: Kern Co Yellow-billed Magpies, 3-4 Lark Buntings! [] 17 Jan Kern Co Yellow-billed Magpies, 3-4 Lark Buntings! [Bob Barnes ] 17 Jan NW Kern Mountain Plovers, Swainson's Hawks, Barn Swallow, LB Curlew ["kernkel" ] 14 Jan Lark Bunting - Rosemond Ave [Alison Sheehey ] 12 Jan Rare bird reports [Alison Sheehey ] 10 Jan 1/10/12: Continuing Barrow's Goldeneye & Lark Bunting [Bob Barnes ] 10 Jan Barrow's this morning 8:30a ["summers AT ocsnet.net" ] 09 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye continues plus Bald Eagle and Merlin 1-09-12 ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ] 09 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Glaucous-winged Gull [Bob Barnes ] 8 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye Continues ["John Wilson" ] 07 Jan 2011 Kern Co. eBird Year In Review [Bob Barnes ] 6 Jan Finding the Barrow's Goldeneye at Isabella Lake [David Blue ] 07 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye this afternoon. ["Terri" ] 06 Jan 1/6/12: Barrow's Goldeneye Continues [Bob Barnes ] 5 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye refound today ["Ali Sheehey" ] 04 Jan Kern Co. Big Year Record Set! [Bob Barnes ] 2 Jan Re: Kern River Valley Barrow's Goldeneye Continues [Alison Sheehey ] 02 Jan Kern River Valley Barrow's Goldeneye Continues [Bob Barnes ] 02 Jan Barrows goldeneye [Susan Steele ] 1 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye - Lake Isabella ["Ali Sheehey" ] 30 Dec Re: Christmas for a Birder [] 29 Dec Cassin's Kingbirds ["Michael" ] 26 Dec Christmas for a Birder ["Phil Cowan" ] 26 Dec Lark Bunting - Hwy 58 W McKittrick ["Ali Sheehey" ] 26 Dec Hooded Merganser ["Terri" ] 24 Dec Northern Waterthrush ["kernkel" ] 19 Dec Waterthrush, Northern v. Louisiana ["Phil Cowan" ] 19 Dec Kern NWR: Additional/New Auto Tour Route [Bob Barnes ] 16 Dec Northern Waterthrush ["phillip.cowan AT rocketmail.com" ] 15 Dec Hammond's Flycatcher Correction [Bob Barnes ] 15 Dec Bakersfield CBC Highlights [Bob Barnes ] 14 Dec Cassin's Kingbirds ["Michael" ] 07 Dec 12/7: Northern Waterthrush+ Continue [Bob Barnes ] 7 Dec Fw: Christmas Bird Count time is near! ["Ali Sheehey" ] 05 Dec Another Feast for the Eyes: Buena Vista ARA List & Photos [Bob Barnes ] 04 Dec RFI: Red Crossbills ["Bob and Susan Steele" ] 05 Dec Horned Grebe ["Michael" ] 04 Dec 12/4: Buena Vista ARA, Lake Ming, Lake Isabella, Plus... [Bob Barnes ] 03 Dec 12/3: RED-NECKED GREBE-Isabella Reservoir [Bob Barnes ] 03 Dec A Thing of Beauty: Yesterday's Cal Cty Checklist! [Bob Barnes ] 03 Dec Time for seasonal report wrap-up ["kernkel" ] 01 Dec 11/29-30: Kern Co's San Joaquin Valley [Bob Barnes ] 01 Dec 11/29 N Waterthrush - California City [Bob Barnes ] 25 Nov 11/25/11: Horned Grebes, Northern Goshawk, Pacific Wren [Bob Barnes ] 24 Nov White-throated Sparrow at Galileo 11-23-11 ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ] 23 Nov Two White-throated Sparrows at Hart Park [Bob Barnes ] 23 Nov Bakersfield White-throated Sparrow at Hart Park [Bob Barnes ] 23 Nov Pacific Wren, Piute Mtns. ["dgingt22" ] 19 Nov juvenile Snow Goose at Lake Ming 11/19/11 ["Ken and Brenda Kyle" ] 19 Nov 2011-2012 Kern County Christmas Bird Count Season [Bob Barnes ] 15 Nov 8 seekers with no Rusty Blackbird today [Bob Barnes ] 14 Nov 11/14: Short-eared Owl, Rusty Blackbird, Cassin's Finch [Bob Barnes ] 13 Nov Inyokern & Canebrake Ecological Reserve [Bob Barnes ] 13 Nov Jim Lomax - Continuing Kern Rusty Blackbird [Bob Barnes ] 12 Nov Fwd: Re: 11/12: Rusty Blackbird [Bob Barnes ] 12 Nov 11/12: Rusty Blackbird [Bob Barnes ] 11 Nov 11/11: Clay-colored Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird [Bob Barnes ] 11 Nov Rusty blackbird still at Cerro Coso College ["dgingt22" ] 09 Nov 11/911: Rusty Blackbird Continues - Day 5 [Bob Barnes ] 08 Nov 11/8/11: RUSTY BLACKBIRD Continued, Plus Kern Valley Brief [Bob Barnes ] 08 Nov Re: Louisiana WaterThrush in California City - NOT ["wurstertom" ] 08 Nov Louisiana Waterthrush California City ["Desert Iguana"] 07 Nov 11/7/11: Clay-colored Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Cerro Coso Community College [Bob Barnes ] 07 Nov 11/7/11: Rusty Blackbird Continues [Bob Barnes ] 06 Nov 11/6/11: Rusty Blackbird Continues [Bob Barnes ] 5 Nov 11/5/11: RUSTY BLACKBIRD, Cerro Coso Community College ["Ali Sheehey" ] Subject: Galileo Hill (Silver Saddle Ranch) White-breasted Nuthatch 2/3/12 From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:33:40 -0000 Today, Friday, 2/3/12, we birded Galileo Hill(Silver Saddle Ranch) on the eastern Kern desert. We saw a White-breasted Nuthatch. It was seen in a tree just east of the main parking lot. We also saw the following:American Wigeon(2), Red-tailed Hawk(1), Accipiter species(1), Ladder-backed Woodpecker(1), Black Phoebe(2), Say's Phoebe(2-3), Yellow-rumped Warbler(1),Dark-eyed Junco(10), Song Sparrow(1), and one White-crowned Sparrow. Ken and Brenda Kyle Bakersfield ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 2/1-2/12: Kern River Valley & San Joaquin Valley From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:02:02 -0800 Hi, Birding was conducted before and after four meetings in the Kern River Valley on 2/1/12 and all day (6:50am-3pm) 2/2/12 in the Kern County portion of the San Joaquin Valley portion and the Little Santa Maria Valley 6-7 miles west of McKittrick. We, 2/1/12 - relatively brief birding of Kern River Preserve's Migrant Corner Trail, Isabella Reservoir, and Tillie Creek Campground - 133.3 miles driving. Th, 2/2/12 - Kern River County Park (Lake Ming and Hart Park), Kern Sanitation Authority, Beale Park, Scaroni Rd, Burbank Rd, Wildwood Rd, Garces Hwy, Kern National Wildlife Refuge, and Little Santa Maria Valley - 344.5 miles driving (Kern County is a very large county! :). Species (with some limited notes): Canada Goose, Wood Duck (52 in Kern River County Park), Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead (including an impressive total of at least 175 individuals along Kern National Wildlife Refuge Tour Route 2), Common Goldeneye, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (continuing, but to die within 20 hours adult male on Isabella Reservoir), Common Merganser, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (a beautiful male first found a few minutes before by Dave Goodward on Isabella Reservoir in front of the main dam - Dave also had a female which I did not observe in my rush to my 3rd of 4 meetings on Wednesday), Ruddy Duck, California Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret (14 at Kern Sanitation Authority), Black-crowned Night-Heron, White-faced Ibis (flock of 109 along Wildwood Rd), Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, SWAINSON'S HAWK (29 total individuals - 1 along Burbank; 2, 24, and 1 along Wildwood; 1 over Kern NWR Tour Route 2 - mostly light morph adults with some intermediate morphs and at least one light morph juvenile), Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk (2 light morph individuals along Garces Hwy), American Kestrel, Virginia Rail, Sora, Common Gallinule, American Coot, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe (at least 60 individuals at Kern Sanitation Authority), California Gull, Herring Gull (Kern NWR), Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, SPOTTED DOVE (4 individuals in the vicinity of Bakersfield's Beale Park - very vocal -one visual out of the four), Mourning Dove, Rose-ringed Parakeet (Hart Park and Beale Park), Great Horned Owl, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Scrub-Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped Warbler (no Myrtles detected), Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, LARK BUNTING (4 individuals in same binocular view on barbed wire fence alongside CA Hwy 58 in the Little Santa Maria Valley 6-7 miles west of McKittrick where one was first found by Alison Sheehey on 12/26/2011 and where Curtis Marantz reported 3-4 on 1/16/12. The specific location is on both sides of CA Hwy 58 in the 0.4 mile stretch between Reward Rd on the east and Caltrans Call Box 58 89 on the west at the end of a very large dirt pull-out.), Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (only Oregons detected), Red-winged Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Purple Finch (Tillie Creek Campground), House Finch, House Sparrow,...+/-99 species. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California 24/7 Cellular Phone Number: 760-382-1260 ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 4 Lark Buntings on Hwy 58 From: "Ali Sheehey" <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:12:55 -0800 Birders Bob Barnes is on the phone right now reporting he had four Lark Buntings in one binocular view after 15 minutes of searching. Large blue-gray bill with a nice white bar on the wing. They are in a mixed flock of mostly White-crowned Sparrows and some Savannah Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds with a smattering of House Finch. He is not finding any of the Lark Sparrows they were hanging with previously. Bob is at the east end of the call box 58 89 pullout west of Reward Road on Highway 58. Bob saw 24 Swainson’s Hawks in one flock along Wildwood Road and picked up an additional 3 birds in the vicinity. Ali [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye a sad tale From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:12:11 -0800 Birders It is with a heavy heart that I have to report that my buddy the Barrow's Goldeneye did not survive the night. I did retrieve his body this morning and he is being carefully examined for what killed him and will be mounted and displayed at a yet to be determined museum. Thanks, Ali [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Photos of Barrow's Goldeneye From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 05:08:29 -0800 Find photos here on my Facebook page of yesterday's goldeneye. He is thin but still has some vigor. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150541770307851.384452.791727850&type=3&l=498e44c86e Ali [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye in trouble From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 05:01:04 -0800 Birders If anyone goes out to find the goldeneye on Isabella Reservoir's Auxiliary Dam arm, please consider bringing some freeze dried flies or crickets or greens. The bird is obviously starving. It walked up to me but I was unable to catch it and it floundered back into the reservoir. I plan on heading back out this morning to bring it some sustenance, so it might gain strength to migrate back home. Ali Sheehey Weldon, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye continues. From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:26:49 -0800 Birders Bob Barnes just called to report the continuing male Barrow's Goldeneye on the Auxiliary Dam arm of Isabella Reservoir. He found it with its usual companion Buffleheads and Common Goldeneye. Your faithful messenger. Ali Sheehey [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Merlin east of Lake Ming 1-31-12 From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:27:28 -0000 Today, Tuesday, 1-31-12, we saw a Merlin east of Lake Ming. It was in a tree that is near a large white boulder near the fence line. Ken and Brenda Kyle Bakersfield ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Swainson's Hawks From: "kernkel" <kkheindel AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:23:28 -0000 On Sunday, Jan 29th a flock of 26 Swainson's Hawks were seen feeding in a flooded field in Buttonwillow (south side of Hwy 58 right across the street -and railroad tracks- from Buttonwillow Park). Another flock of 22 was seen at Rowlee Rd. and Hwy 46. Five others at scattered locales in between made for an impressive total of 53. Kelli Heindel-Levinson Bakersfield ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 1/29/12: Great day of birding! From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:22:04 -0800 Hi, Serving as the messenger for Maryland birders Jim and Judy Ferris whose following email (slightly edited) is passed on to kerncobirding subscribers with permission just a few minutes ago from their new temporary winter quarters near the south end of the Salton Sea. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California Originally sent to Bob Barnes on Su, 1/29/12 at 9:12pm... "Jim and I have just returned from our long trek to Bakersfield and Kern NWR. ...we had a great trip! "We arrived east of Lamont and Tower Line Road at Neumarkel Road at the irrigation pond at about 7:20 AM. There are no road signs out there that we could detect, but the GPS seemed to know what roads we were on. We had previously scouted the location of the pond on Google Earth, so we were able to drive right to the site. It was cold and foggy and quiet when we arrived, but things picked up quickly when the sun rose. We waited around a while until eventually a pair of LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES showed up - a LIFE BIRD for us. They stayed around long enough for a photo shoot and serenade. Perfect! We also found our first PRAIRIE FALCON of the day along Neumarkel Road. Please thank Alison Sheehey and tell her that her directions were excellent! As we drove in to this site we marveled at all of the odd and out of the way places that birders go... "On to Bakersfield.... Beale Park was just waking up when we arrived. The ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS were rioting in the trees and we spotted them the instant we opened the car door! Having learned the call of the SPOTTED DOVE, we tracked it to its source and were able to see 4 DIFFERENT BIRDS and get photos - ANOTHER LIFE BIRD for us... "Then we used your special route to head over to Kern NWR. We hit the only snafu of the morning when we discovered the entire area was cloaked in dense fog. Yes, I remember you warned us about this. We passed a few flooded fields and heard lots and lots of birds, but saw very few. Still, we persisted and got on numerous raptors including good looks at NORTHERN HARRIERS, RED-TAILED HAWKS, FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, AMERICAN KESTRELS, MERLIN, PRAIRIE FALCON, WILSON'S SNIPE, TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD, and many other birds. The fog did not fully lift until 11:30 when we were on Wildwood road. We checked diligently but did not see any SWAINSON'S HAWKS. In spite of the fog, we accumulated a fair number of species on your route. We could have spent an entire day just doing that route! "With time marching on, we then birded Kern NWR. It IS fantastic! Again, worthy of an entire day. We ripped through it faster than we would of liked and probably missed a lot but are quite happy with the list we accumulated including WHITE-TAILED KITES and lots of shorebird species (including BLACK-NECKED STILT, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, and more WILSON'S SNIPE)... "All too soon we started the long trip back to our RV park in Acton, Los Angeles County. The only 'lifer' of the day we missed was Benji's French Basque Restaurant in Bakersfield! Since we pack up and leave for Salton Sea tomorrow (Monday) AM, we decided to skip dinner in Bako and get home a bit earlier instead. "Our species list for the day included: Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Redhead, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, White-faced Ibis, Turkey Vulture, White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, Prairie Falcon, White-faced Ibis, Common Gallinule, American Coot, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe, California Gull, Rock Pigeon, SPOTTED DOVE, Mourning Dove, ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET (not countable yet), Anna's Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Western Scrub-Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Marsh Wren, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, American Pipit, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH, and House Sparrow. "Judy and Jim Ferris, RV Birders with home base in Maryland" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Re: Kern Co Yellow-billed Magpies, 3-4 Lark Buntings! From: yakimapark AT aol.com Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:51:52 -0500 (EST) I have seen them up on top of the ridge behind Coalinga, but only at the COunty line. That's cool. Marcia H. Wolfe MH Wolfe and Associates Environmental Consulting, Inc. POB 10254 Bakersfield, CA 93389 Phone 661-837-1169 Fax 661-837-8467 Cell 805-839-4142 yakimapark AT aol.com mwolfe AT mhwolfeassoc.com Confidentiality Note: This and any accompanying pages contain information that is confidential and privileged. The information is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, then be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the accompanying document (or the information contained in it) is prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify our offices immediately so that we can arrange for retrieval at no cost to you. In a message dated 1/17/2012 4:25:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, bbarnes AT lightspeed.net writes: Hi, Just back last evening (Monday) from the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. On Th, 1/12/12 I was able to find "the" LARK BUNTING originally reported by Alison Sheehey for 1/26/12 and re-found last week by John Luther. The observation was made alongside the 0.4 mile stretch of CA Hwy 58 west from Reward Rd in the Little Santa Maria Valley located 6-7 miles west of community of McKittrick. Yesterday, Monday, 1/16/12, Curtis Marantz told me he found THREE to FOUR LARK BUNTINGS in the same location as he lingered at the site to get photos! Early yesterday morning, Monday, 1/16/12, I observed (heard, then saw) 4 YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES at the Kern Co./San Luis Obispo Co line alongside the "west" end the five mile stretch of CA Hwy 41 in Kern Co. Later in the morning, Curtis Marantz observed 8 Yellow-billed Magpies from Hwy 41 two miles deep into Kern County (six were flyovers and two were next to the road). This afternoon, Jon Dunn related to me that he saw four Yellow-billed Magpies late yesterday afternoon (4pm+) 2.2 miles deep into Kern County. Her further said that all people coming through Ken County on Hwy 41 in search of Yellow-billed Magpies in Kern County yesterday were successful in finding them. Of course, this is "the place" birders go to observe Yellow-billed Magpies in Kern County. Serving both as an Observer and a Messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA 24/7 Cellular Phone Number: 760-382-1260 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Kern Co Yellow-billed Magpies, 3-4 Lark Buntings! From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:24:39 -0800 Hi, Just back last evening (Monday) from the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. On Th, 1/12/12 I was able to find "the" LARK BUNTING originally reported by Alison Sheehey for 1/26/12 and re-found last week by John Luther. The observation was made alongside the 0.4 mile stretch of CA Hwy 58 west from Reward Rd in the Little Santa Maria Valley located 6-7 miles west of community of McKittrick. Yesterday, Monday, 1/16/12, Curtis Marantz told me he found THREE to FOUR LARK BUNTINGS in the same location as he lingered at the site to get photos! Early yesterday morning, Monday, 1/16/12, I observed (heard, then saw) 4 YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES at the Kern Co./San Luis Obispo Co line alongside the "west" end the five mile stretch of CA Hwy 41 in Kern Co. Later in the morning, Curtis Marantz observed 8 Yellow-billed Magpies from Hwy 41 two miles deep into Kern County (six were flyovers and two were next to the road). This afternoon, Jon Dunn related to me that he saw four Yellow-billed Magpies late yesterday afternoon (4pm+) 2.2 miles deep into Kern County. Her further said that all people coming through Ken County on Hwy 41 in search of Yellow-billed Magpies in Kern County yesterday were successful in finding them. Of course, this is "the place" birders go to observe Yellow-billed Magpies in Kern County. Serving both as an Observer and a Messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA 24/7 Cellular Phone Number: 760-382-1260 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: NW Kern Mountain Plovers, Swainson's Hawks, Barn Swallow, LB Curlew From: "kernkel" <kkheindel AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:36:41 -0000 This afternoon there were 65 Mountain Plover in a field just north of the Kern Refuge. The best viewing is from inside the refuge, on the new Tour 2 loop. After paralleling Corcoran Rd. for a 1/2 mile or so, this road bends 90 degrees west (more or less) and away from Corcoran Rd. A huge freshly plowed field is to the north and it is here that the plovers were seen. This road is elevated and makes for more favorable viewing conditions than can be had from Corcoran Rd. Also of interest at the refuge was a young Barn Swallow that I somehow managed to photograph. The long, forked tail is just barely coming in. This was near the restrooms at the end of Tour 2 loop. On Wildwood Rd. south of Garces Hwy and just north of Schuster Rd. were two Swainson's Hawks. A little further south on Wildwood and just north of Pond Ave were 172 Long-billed Curlew (along with Dunlin, Gr. Yellowlegs and Least Sandpipers). Three more Swainson's Hawks were seen on Wildwood just north of Hwy 46. Kelli Heindel-Levinson Bakersfield, Ca ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Lark Bunting - Rosemond Ave From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:39:53 -0800 Birders Searching for so far non-existent mountain plovers I found a spring plumage lark bunting among a group of red-winged blackbirds. I am near Ave 110W. There are also 2 Sage Thrashers in the vicinity. I have not been able to relocate the bunting as it flew west into a grain stubble field. Ali Sheehey [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Rare bird reports From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:55:20 -0800 Hi all, Bob Barnes called and reported the lark bunting at around 3 pm along Hwy 58, .3 miles west of Reward Road. He passed along that Jon Dunn & Curtis Marantz refound the Barrow's Goldeneye, Horned Grebe on Isabella Reservoir and the Pacific Wren in Alta Sierra. I can confirm the goldeneye as well as I am admiring him floating with his harem on the auxiliary arm of Isabella quite close to the dam. Ali Sheehey Weldon, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 1/10/12: Continuing Barrow's Goldeneye & Lark Bunting From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:03:18 -0800 Hi, Just back in from the field with news that John Luther called twice. This morning (Tuesday, January 10, 2012) John called with news that he, Priscilla Summers, and Steve Summers were looking at/saw the Kern River Valley BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (first found by Alison Sheehey). This morning it was in the same location where John Wilson saw it on Sunday - in the far southwest corner of Isabella Reservoir right near the base of Auxiliary Dam and just off CA Hwy. 178. About 20 minutes ago John called again with news that he had located and had great scope views of a LARK BUNTING which is assumed to be the same one found by Alison Sheehey 12/26/11. John saw the Lark Bunting early this afternoon in association with Lark Sparrows alongside CA Hwy 58 c. 0.2 miles west of Reward (comes in from the north and ends at Hwy 58). John estimates this location to be c. 5 miles west of McKittrick. If any kerncobirding subscribers decide to go for either or both of the Barrow's Goldeneye or Lark Bunting, please post at the earliest opportunity or feel free to call and ask me to do so. However, please note that I will be on my way to the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival at some point tomorrow morning. So, the latter suggestion may not work. Serving as the Messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA 24/7 Cellular Phone Number: 760-382-1260 ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's this morning 8:30a From: "summers AT ocsnet.net" <summers@ocsnet.net> Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:47:20 -0800 The male Barrow's Goldeneye continues this morning (1/10) behind the auxilliary dam. Steve Summers Porterville Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye continues plus Bald Eagle and Merlin 1-09-12 From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:48:31 -0000 We saw an adult Bald Eagle at Lake Ming this morning. There were also 18 Hooded Mergansers and 2 Wood Ducks on Lake Ming. We then went to the Kern River Valley to look for the male Barrow's Goldeneye found recently by Alison Sheehey. We saw the continuing male Barrow's Goldeneye at the Auxillary Dam along with a male Common Goldeneye and approximately 28 other Common Goldeneye. They eventually left the area after a trash can lid was shut by someone discarding trash. We returned at noon, and the male Barrow's Goldeneye had returned along with about fifteen Common Goldeneye and one female Bufflehead. As we left the Kern River Canyon, we saw a Merlin about 300 yards from the Kern River Canyon exit. The Merlin was sitting in a tree on the north side of the road. Ken and Brenda Kyle Bakersfield ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Glaucous-winged Gull From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:50:28 -0800 Hi, Curtis Marnatz passed on word that Brian Daniels found a/the Barrow's Goldeneye (first found by Alison Sheehey) at two locations miles from each other on Saturday and "Brian said he saw a Red-necked Grebe among the large flock of Aechmophorus off French Gulch Marina, where he also had some large gulls, including Glaucous-winged." "He also said he saw a/the male Barrow's with a small flock of goldeneye at the upper end of the lake off Kissack Bay mid-day after he saw it in the usual place at 7 am." Brian secured a nice record shot of the Red-necked Grebe. Serving as the messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California 24/7 Cellular Telephone Number: 760-382-1260 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye Continues From: "John Wilson" <jcwilson AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 16:24:17 -0800 Hi All, This morning I saw the male Barrow's Goldeneye on the Isabella Reservoir. My best views were from the Auxiliary Dam Recreation Area at the extreme SW corner of the reservoir, adjacent to the south end of the auxiliary dam. Since it and other goldeneye were rafting very close to the shore , I stopped my car about 200 yards from shore, slowly exited the vehicle, and without closing the door, scoped the birds. I thought I could slowly approach the shoreline by foot but got only 10 or so yards closer and they all took off and went over the dam, presumably to the canal on the other side. Good Birding, John Wilson Bakersfield, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 2011 Kern Co. eBird Year In Review From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:24:21 -0800 2011 Kern Co. eBird Year In Review CONTENTS: ***California eBird Web Site: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ca ***Monthly and Annual Species Total for each month and year of 2009, 2010, and 2011 ***Brief Discussion ***Listing of 110+ birders who submitted lists to eBird for 2011 for Kern County ***California eBird Web Site (http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ca) for all kinds of data characterizations and how to join in if you care to do so. Except for the value of time effort involved, it is all available free of monetary charge; allowing access to: review of data submitted from all over the world, rare bird alerts, feature articles, personal lists from life lists to specific area lists, and a venue for contributing to a data-base of world-wide submissions in a "Think Globally, Act Locally" manner. ***Species reported for each month for 2009, 2010, and 2011; year total for 2009, 2010, and 2011; and All Time totals for each month and year total for all years combined back to earliest entry from the 1950s: 2009: J-152, F-148, M-180, A-219, M-247, J-197, J-169, A-204, S-209, O-201, N-178, D-177, Y-311 2010: J-178, F-179, M-188, A-232, M-244, J-224, J-209, A-203, S-227, O-215, N-187, D-188, Y-313 2011: J-195, F-192, M-203, A-243, M-255, J-223, J-195, A-201, S-235, O-241, N-193, D-202, Y-336 2012: J-???, F-??? M-???, A-??? M-???, J-???, J-???, A-???, S-???, O-???, N-???, D-???, Y-??? All Time: J-222, F-217 M-243, A-282, M-324, J-294, J-250, A-246, S-303, O-303, N-240, D-239, Y-401 ***Brief Discussion: A record 336 species were listed on eBird for Kern County in 2011. This total was undoubtedly helped immensely by the fact that all 328 of Susan Steele's 2011 Big Year record countable bird species were entered. New species high counts were set for nine months out of twelve. One hundred ninety-two species plus have now been reported in each calendar month at least once with two hundred species plus having now been reported in nine calendar months at least once. Three specific locations now have data entered for every week of the year with seven other locations needing seven or less weekly visits to have data entered at least once for every week of the year. In addition, Kern County data sets for bar chart and other eBird status & distribution characterizations were greatly increased in 2011 by the participation of over 100 birders who entered data. ***Listing of 110+ birders who submitted lists to eBird for 2011 for Kern County: James Abernathy, Bob Barnes, Gordon Black, David Blue, Edward Boyd, Matt Brady, Donna Bray, Ken Burton, Pat Cabe, Richard Cabe, Phillip Cowan, Brendan Crill, Ron Cyger, Evan Dalton, Darren Dowell, Linda Easter, Tom Edell, Elias Elias, Dane Fagundes. Jon Feenstra, Jon Fisher, John Fitch, Ernest Flores, Scott Frazer, Robert Furrow, Noah Gaines, Kimball Garrett, Eric Goodill, David Goodward, Al Guarente, Gayle Hackamack, Jim Hardesty, Brooke Hart, Lena Hayashi, Sylvia Henry, Thomas Hinnebusch, Patricia Hoppe, Andrew Howe, Bill Hubick, Lisa Hug, Colin Jensen, David Kimbrough, Robert Jackson, Lee Jones, John Kelly, Howard King, Keith Kwan, Denise LaBerteaux, Arthur Langton, Garrett Lepper, Kelli Levinson, John Lobel, John Lockhart, Scott Logan, Michael Long, Tim Ludwick, Curtis Marantz, Don Marsh, Dan Maxwell, Todd McGrath, Ron Melin, Olivia Miseroy, Jim Moore, Steve Morris, Dominik Mosur, Richard Norton, Chet Ogan, John Oliver, Alex Oloo, Nancy Overholtz, Ron Overholtz, Matthew Page, Michael Park, Sophie Parker, Amy Patten, David Pereksta, Kaaren Perry, Linda Pittman, Phoebe Prather, David Rankin, Sandy Remley, E. J. Remson, Michael Rogner, Sean Rowe, Jennifer Rycenga, Tom Schall, Matthew Schapp, Janet Scheel, Mark Scheel, Christian Schwarz, Adam Searcy, Henry Selinger, Loretta Selinger, Alison Sheehey, Brad Singer, Maggie Smith, Southwest Bird Study Club, Dave Spanenburg, BJ Stacey, Jim Stasz, Susan Steele, Nancy Strang, Steve Summers, Richard Thunen, Raymond Van Buskirk, David Vander Pluym, Daniel Walsh, Wayne Weber, Jan Wilson, Chris Wright, Karen Zumwalt,... Serving as the messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California 24/7 Cellular Phone Number: 760-382-1260 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Finding the Barrow's Goldeneye at Isabella Lake From: David Blue <d.blue AT mchsi.com> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 20:53:28 -0800 Here is some more info for anyone looking for the adult male Barrow's Goldeneye at Isabella Lake that was first found by Alison Sheehey on January 1. (Thanks, Alison, for getting the word out on this bird and providing such good directions and updates!) A favorite spot for this bird is the north end of Borel Canal, just below the Isabella Auxiliary Dam. To reach this spot, take SR155 north off of SR178, and then take the first right onto Barlow Road. After Barlow bends right and then left, Eva Avenue is just ahead on the right. Eva Avenue almost immediately spans the Borel Canal, and the goldeneye flock are typically found on the left about 200 feet upstream at the north end of the canal where the water is quite choppy as it flows into the canal. Yesterday they were found there by John Schmitt just after sunrise, and this morning they were there well before sunrise. However, as Alison pointed out yesterday, these birds are extremely skittish. My wife, Linda, and I debated whether to approach the bridge on foot or in the vehicle, and not knowing where they'd be, we opted to stay in the vehicle and use it as a blind, but the flock bolted almost immediately after we stopped on the bridge. Once they left the canal, they flew up and over the Auxiliary Dam to the bay formed by the dam on the south, Engineers Point on the west, and the lake shoreline on the east. This can be reached by continuing up Barlow Road. When we got there this morning there were hundreds of birds in the bay, most of which flushed shortly after we got there, perhaps due to all the human activity there this morning. We drove most of the way out to Engineers Point and then walked further out to see what was around. On the way back, we saw the Barrow's Goldeneye back towards the dam, but then could not relocate it when we drove closer to the dam. Then we rechecked the Borel Canal, this time approaching the bridge stealthily on foot trying to stay mostly out of sight, and managed to watch the Barrow's through the scope for a couple of minutes before the flock got spooked again and headed back up over the dam. Also later this morning the "Aleutian" Cackling Goose was in the field due west of the intersection of Barlow and Eva where Alison reported it on January 2. Hope this helps and good luck. David Blue Ridgecrest, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye this afternoon. From: "Terri" <n8tivebird AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:13:55 -0000 On my third attempt, I refound the male Barrow's Goldeneye this afternoon. Conditions were not good with wind and choppy water, but the ducks where in the lee (east side) of the Auxilary Dam. The Barrow's was with some of the same types of ducks it has been seen with previously, Common Goldeneye females (9)and a pair of Bufflehead. Terri Gallion ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 1/6/12: Barrow's Goldeneye Continues From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:49:40 -0800 Hi, I just received a phone call from Gary File from in the field with news that the Barrow's Goldeneye first found in the Kern River Valley by Alison Sheehey on 1 Jan 12 is still present. Gary came up from Bakersfield on CA Hwy 178, got off at the CA Hwy 155 exit in Lake Isabella, turned left toward Kernville, then turned right just across the bridge onto Barlow to Eva. He checked the Borel Canal without success, then continued on Barlow to the top of the Auxiliary Dam of Isabella Reservoir. When Gary called he was looking down on the adult male Barrow's Goldeneye which was on the surface of the reservoir. While Gary was looking at the Barrow's Goldeneye the Cackling Goose happened to swim into view. Gary said there were five Common Goldeneyes in the company of the Barrow's and other Common Goldeneyes in the "bay" formed by the Auxiliary Dam, Engineers' Point, and the south/southwest shore of the reservoir. Serving as the messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye refound today From: "Ali Sheehey" <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 19:30:21 -0800 Hi All, The Barrow’s Goldeneye drake was refound by John Schmitt today just after sunrise in the Borel Canal just below the Auxiliary Dam on Eva and Barlow Road. The birds are highly spooky so be prepared to look as soon as you are crossing the bridge. I refound the Aleutian Cackling Goose yesterday in the Auxiliary arm of Isabella Reservoir, but John dipped on it for the second day in a row. Photos can be found on my flickr feed of these and other birds seen during the Kern Valley Christmas Bird Counts. http://www.flickr.com/photos/natureali/ Good birding, Ali Sheehey Weldon, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Kern Co. Big Year Record Set! From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:22:23 -0800 Hi, Congratulations to Susan Steele who set a new Kern Co. Big Year record by observing 328 American Birding Association countable bird species in Kern County during calendar year 2011! What a remarkable feat involving a combination of supreme birding skill, focus, patience, and perseverance - hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month - for the entire year of 2011! Susan shared some tidbits on her recently concluded big year which she told me I could share with all of you. I am hopeful you will find these tidbits as fun and interesting as I do. "First I want to thank the many birders who gave fabulous help during my Kern County big year effort, both with finding and getting me on amazing birds which I might otherwise have missed, and also with all the support and encouragement I received. It has meant so much to me. "I ended the year with 328 countable bird species observed in Kern County along with 3 officially non-countable others (Gambel's Quail, California Condor, Rose-ringed Parakeet). "The best bird this year was the Pyrrhuloxia I found in my backyard that stayed for Mother’s Day. It was a first record for Kern County and well-photographed by Bob Steele. Nice. "My biggest miss, well it would have been Red Crossbill, but for all the time I wasted the last couple of weeks looking for Barrow’s Goldeneye. Those with a keen sense of irony will appreciate that I finally saw my Kern Barrow’s Goldeneye on 2 Jan 2012. "Bird species I thought would be easy to see that I didn’t see: zero. "Birds species missed that I thought I should see, but wasn’t certain they’d show up: I had two of those - Red Crossbill and Lucy’s Warbler. "Number of bird species I saw that I thought would be hard to find, but I had a chance at: 47 "Number of bird species I rated as almost impossible to come across that I managed to see: 14 "Bird species I saw only once in 2011: 47 "Number of bird species that were seen in the county this year by one or more other birders that I missed: 6 or 2% "My 326th species for the year was also my 326th life bird species for the Indian Wells Valley – Pacific Loon "Miles that I drove: No idea, but many, many, many… "What are my birding plans for this year of 2012?: I'm still looking for new Kern birds, and I’m going to look for more birds for my North America list. Maybe one of these days I’ll finally see a Blue-headed Vireo in Kern County." If you are willing to inform Susan of selected species you find in Kern County this year, you may contact her for her want list via: steele7 AT verizon.net (Susan Steele) with "Kern Want List" in the subject line. Bob Barnes, Ridgerest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Re: Kern River Valley Barrow's Goldeneye Continues From: Alison Sheehey <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 09:45:25 -0800 Thanks to Bob for passing the word about the goldeneye. There is also an aleutian cackling goose by itself in the field across from the canal at Barlow and Eve. A female hooded merganser was also with the goldeneyes. Ali On Jan 2, 2012 7:54 AM, "Bob Barnes" wrote: > ** > > > Happy New Year 2012! > > I received 7:30am phone calls from Alison Sheehey and Susan Steele > reporting the continuance of a male Barrow's Goldeneye in the Kern > River Valley first found by Alison during yesterday's Christmas Bird > Count. Alison and Susan first relocated this goldeneye in the Borel > Canal below Isabellla Reservoir's Auxiliary Dam (the dam next to CA > Hwy 178 at the edge of the community of Lake Isabella). It has since > moved up over the dam to the small portion of reservoir surface > flanked by the Auxiliary Dam, Engineers' Point, and the > southwestern/western end of the reservoir's south shore along CA Hwy > 178. Susan reports that Alison has taken additional photos this > morning to supplement the record shot image she took yesterday. > > Serving as the Messenger, > > Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA > 24/7 Cellular Phone Number: 760-382-1260 > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Kern River Valley Barrow's Goldeneye Continues From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:54:19 -0800 Happy New Year 2012! I received 7:30am phone calls from Alison Sheehey and Susan Steele reporting the continuance of a male Barrow's Goldeneye in the Kern River Valley first found by Alison during yesterday's Christmas Bird Count. Alison and Susan first relocated this goldeneye in the Borel Canal below Isabellla Reservoir's Auxiliary Dam (the dam next to CA Hwy 178 at the edge of the community of Lake Isabella). It has since moved up over the dam to the small portion of reservoir surface flanked by the Auxiliary Dam, Engineers' Point, and the southwestern/western end of the reservoir's south shore along CA Hwy 178. Susan reports that Alison has taken additional photos this morning to supplement the record shot image she took yesterday. Serving as the Messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA 24/7 Cellular Phone Number: 760-382-1260 ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrows goldeneye From: Susan Steele <steele7 AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:34:56 -0800 The barrows goldeneye at lake Isabella was re found this morning. Auxiliary dam is the place to look. Susan Sent from my iPhone ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye - Lake Isabella From: "Ali Sheehey" <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 19:55:11 -0800 Hi Birders, I photographed a Barrow’s Goldeneye among a group of Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead on the Auxiliary arm of Isabella Reservoir this morning during the Kern Valley Christmas Bird Count. Susan Steele and I will be out on the lake in the morning trying to refind this bird. Good Birding, Ali Sheehey Weldon, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Re: Christmas for a Birder From: yakimapark AT aol.com Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:09:05 -0500 (EST) Fantastic fun Phil! Really enjoyed the photos! About 15 years ago I left BAKO with my cousin visiting from Wisconsin. We both had colds and didn't feel like doing much- so we drove to the Mojave one afternoon to escape the BAKO dreary fog! only to find a huge fog bank across the road south of Red Rock-!?!? go figure. So we went there briefly then toured side roads back towards Cal City- encountering maybe?? 50,000 house finches? clouds of them moving across the desert floor. Didn't realize at first what they were and so stopped to get out binocs as they were off in the distance. And they moved toward the car in waves! Hundreds landed on the car and all around the road shoulder- many landed on the roof and skiied down the windshield- pecking in the mirrors, gathering sand from the road shoulder and feeding on shrub seeds. They walked all over the car! It was truly an amazing experience with a seemingly "ordinary" bird. But they are pretty wonderful indeed!!- marcia wolfe [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Cassin's Kingbirds From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:58:22 -0000 Birders: Three CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS were calling and flitting around the homes in my neighborhood on the Rio Bravo Golf Course. Day before yesterday, there were 39 HOODED MERGANSERS in the east marina area of Lake Ming. Michael McQuerrey Bakersfield, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Christmas for a Birder From: "Phil Cowan" <birdtographer.zion AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:53:44 -0000 Please click this link to view my perfect Christmas gift! http://www.flickr.com/photos/71073348 AT N08/?saved=1 ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Lark Bunting - Hwy 58 W McKittrick From: "Ali Sheehey" <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:17:33 -0800 Hi All, I had a very brief but definitive look at a winter adult Lark Bunting around 11 am this morning in a flock of thousands of mixed passerines. The bird was a charcoal gray and brown with strong chest streaking. The bill was buntingish. The primary coverts were very white. I saw the bird about half way between McKittrick and the San Luis Obispo County line. It was predominantly with about 20 Lark Sparrows near the fence line next to the road, there was a farm road behind gates that crossed the road. The other birds were Brewer’s Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Western Meadowlarks, Horned Lark, Savannah Sparrow, and White-crowned Sparrow. This section of grassland had at least 7 Ferruginous Hawks and 2 Red-tailed Hawks. Good Birding, Ali Sheehey Weldon, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Hooded Merganser From: "Terri" <n8tivebird AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:48:41 -0000 One female Hooded Merganser with American Coots on the Kern River in Keyesville. Also observed: Spotted Sandpiper, American Dippers, noisy Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby crowned Kinglet and Bushtits. ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Northern Waterthrush From: "kernkel" <kkheindel AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:10:34 -0000 To my knowledge there are no 'experts' questioning the identity of this bird. A question was raised a week or so ago after someone saw just one picture of the bird. When a series of pictures was shared it became clear that the single picture that they had seen had a bit of glare that left the legs looking very pink and the supercilium looking very white. As far as I know the concern was over one picture, lasted a day and is now over. I wouldn't change any plans for the weekend! Kelli Levinson Bakersfield ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Waterthrush, Northern v. Louisiana From: "Phil Cowan" <birdtographer.zion AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:05:06 -0000 Birders, The sub-species of the Waterthrush I have been following in California City Central Park as a Northern Seiurus noveboracensis, is now in question by some experts and may indeed be an even rarer Louisiana Waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla. Your opinion of the species is sincerely solicited. You may view 17 pictures of the bird at http://www.flickr.com/photos/71073348 AT N08/6533055557/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Kern NWR: Additional/New Auto Tour Route From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:14:52 -0800 Hi: There is a new Auto Tour Route 2 at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. As you may know, the original Auto Tour Route 1 starts south from the refuge entrance and makes a clockwise loop 6-7 miles in length. Auto Tour Route 2 goes north from the refuge entrance and makes a counter clockwise loop 4 miles in length. Auto Tour Route 2 provides access to an area of the refuge not available for general public wildlife viewing in the past. Thank you to the staff at Kern National Wildlife Refuge for providing expanded general public access within the boundaries of this 11,000 acre+ refuge. DIRECTIONS: * Turn immediately to the right after entering the refuge and proceed north for one mile along the elevated road which parallels Corcoran Rd. This one mile section of the tour route was all dry habitat when I drove it last Thursday, December 15th. * Turn left (west) at the end of the above straightaway at the northern boundary of the refuge and go one mile to the next corner (NW corner) of the auto tour route. The second half of this stretch of road had extensive wetlands beside it. * Turn left (south) and proceed for one mile through wetlands on each side of the road. * Turn left (east) and proceed for one mile through wetlands to the start of the route at the refuge entrance off Corcoran Rd and at the west end of Garces Highway 19 miles west of Delano. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Northern Waterthrush From: "phillip.cowan AT rocketmail.com" <birdtographer.zion@gmail.com> Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:07:39 -0000 Northern Waterthrush continues at California City Central Park. Fourth sighting in two months. Photograph taken today at 1300: http://www.flickr.com/photos/71073348 AT N08/6518173557/in/photostream/ Phil Cowan in California City ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Hammond's Flycatcher Correction From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:35:56 -0800 (GMT-08:00) Hi, CORRECTION: The Hammond's Flycatcher found by John Wilson was at publicly accessible Heritage Park. The revised list of highlights follows, reflectimg the correction. Corrected note on highlights of the Bakersfield Christmas Bird Count (John C. Wilson, Compiler). 137 total species Beale Park - Spotted Dove 1 - John Wilson Breckenridge Mountain Road - Cassin's Kingbird 2 - c. 0.25 mi. and 1 mi. up from Comanche - Gary File, Steve Williams Hart Park - "Western" Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler - Kelli Levinson, Jo Heindel, Tom Heindel Hertiage Park - Hammond's Flycatcher (visual and much calling) - John Wilson Kern River Group Picnic Area - Mountain Chickadee - Bob Barnes Kern Sanitation Authority - Blue-winged Teal 3 - John Lindsay Lake Ming - Red-breasted Merganser female, Horned Grebe, Lewis's Woodpecker - Steve Summers Riverside Park - Black-throated Gray Warbler - John Wilson picnic area separating Kern River Campground from Lake Ming - Mountain Chickadee - Bob Barnes Rose-ringed Parakeet roost (one roost fly-in was counted out of several roosts) 1200+ - Alison Sheehey NOTE: Susan Steele took a side trip near the end of the day to go see Greater Scaup first found by John Sterling; species #228 for her 2011 Big Year effort. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest. Kern Co., California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Bakersfield CBC Highlights From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:58:50 -0800 (GMT-08:00) Hi, A quick note on highlights of the Bakersfield Christmas Bird Count (John C. Wilson, Compiler). 137 total species Beale Park - Spotted Dove 1 - John Wilson Breckenridge Mountain Road - Cassin's Kingbird 2 - c. 0.25 mi. and 1 mi. up from Comanche - Gary File, Steve Williams Hart Park - "Western" Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler - Kelli Levinson, Jo Heindel, Tom Heindel Kern River Group Picnic Area - Mountain Chickadee - Bob Barnes Kern Sanitation Authority - Blue-winged Teal 3 - John Lindsay Lake Ming - Red-breasted Merganser female, Horned Grebe, Lewis's Woodpecker - Steve Summers Riverside Park - Black-throated Gray Warbler - John Wilson picnic area separating Kern River Campground from Lake Ming - Mountain Chickadee - Bob Barnes Rose-ringed Parakeet roost (one of several) 1200+ - Alison Sheehey No public access or viewing area from outside - Hammond's Flycatcher (visual and much calling) - John Wilson NOTE: Susan Steele took a side trip near the end of the day to go see a Greater Scaup; species #228 for her 2011 Big Year effort. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest. Kern Co., California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Cassin's Kingbirds From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:30:59 -0000 Birders: A single CASSIN'S KINGBIRD has been flitting about, vocalizing regularly, in and near my yard, northeast of Bakersfield on the Rio Bravo Golf Course. This one (and, perhaps family members) has been around for about a week. Michael McQuerrey Bakersfield, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 12/7: Northern Waterthrush+ Continue From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:56:19 -0800 Hi, California City bird photographer Phil Cowan found and took digital photos of a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at California City--Central Park on 7 Nov 11, 29 Nov 11, 5 Dec 11, and this late morning, 7 Dec 11. I was fortunate enough to arrive at the Tierra del Sol Golf Course parking lot bordering the edge of CC Central Park at 11:50am this morning. I walked between the abandoned hotel on the left and "pond"/main lake extension on the right in the direction of where I saw Phil sitting in a chair between the abandoned hotel swimming pool and the shore of the park's main lake. He caught sight of me out of the corner of his eye, then slowly lifted his arm and pointed. No mystery here, when I quietly came up from behind him to hopefully best avoid flushing whatever it was he was indicating with his pointing, he calmly told me to look for the Northern Waterthrush on a board floating in the water at the very edge of the lake nearest to the hotel. Between 11:55am and 1:15pm, we were able to watch the Northern Waterthrush at our leisure, getting as close as 6'-10' when we walked to try and get photos for Phil of a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE and an OAK TITMOUSE I heard in a tree over the waterthrush foraging area. We saw and heard both the chickadee and titmouse, with at least ID photos of the chickadee obtained. Hearing of the Oak Titmouse was particularly important as a tool in determining this titmouse was not a highly unexpected, but to-be-looked-for-with-hopefulness, Juniper Titmouse. And, especially since this titmouse was not overly cooperative for visual determination of plumage details as it never showed itself in full view without multiple twigs in the tree obscuring the multiple views we did have. Continued Happy & Productive Birding, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Fw: Christmas Bird Count time is near! From: "Ali Sheehey" <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 18:37:58 -0800 Hi friends and birders! Another year is gone by and it is almost time to begin our annual search for birds will occur between December 14, 2011 and January 5, 2012 in the amazing California sunshine! ;-) Well, OK can't promise it will be sunny and not windy but the three counts I compile will get you out in amazing places and all in one county. If you were to bird all you could end your year with over 200 species in just a few short days. Some have already signed up but please let me know if you can help on any of the three counts I compile. Friday, December 16: Buena Vista Lake... after years of trying to give up this count, it keeps drawing me back. This year's effort is as a result of Susan Steele's amazing Big Year effort, to which I am happily joining her on some forays. The number of counters is critical to know in advance as most of this count is done behind locked gates and I need to contact landowners to gain access. We all end the day at Buena Vista Lake counting the thousands of gulls of sometimes amazing variety that stream in from out of the count circle at dusk. Wednesday, December 21: Bear Valley Springs... this count covers again some areas that are gated but has ungated areas to cover as well. Please let me know if you can help this count that covers from Bear Valley Springs and the Cummings Valley down to Arvin. Sunday, January 1: Kern River Valley... this count covers the Kern Valley centered around Isabella Reservoir. Teams are needed to cover all around the lake and poaching is encouraged after covering territories if enough volunteers can be found. Sunday, New Year's Day the compilation dinner will be at Audubon Kern River Preserve Sprague House. I offer a simple spaghetti dinner with salad and bread and all the hot cocoa one can handle shortly after night fall. Show and share your photos from your day on the big screen. Anyone wanting to sleep indoors with restroom facilities is welcome to bring their sleeping bag and stay at the ranch house. I encourage those coming up for the weekend to participate in the South Fork Valley Count compiled by Denise LaBerteaux. Thanks, Ali Sheehey 760-417-0268 cell 760-378-2029 office www.natureali.org/cbcs.htm Below are all of the Kern County CBCs. WEDNESDAY, December 14, 2011 Bakersfield CBC, Kern County: Compiler: John Wilson - year began 1949 held in 1950 resumed in 1973 THURSDAY, December 15, 2011 Tejon Ranch CBC, Kern & Los Angeles Counties: Compiler: Phoebe Prather; by invitation only - year began 2008 FRIDAY, December 16, 2011 Buena Vista CBC, Kern County: Compiler: Alison Sheehey, Phone: 760-417-0268. - year began 1989 SATURDAY, December 17, 2011 Butterbredt CBC, Kern County: Compiler: Charles Bragg, Phone: (310) 454-9662 - year began 1977 Lancaster CBC, Los Angeles/Kern Counties: Compiler: Mary & Nick Freeman, Phone: (818) 247-6172 - year began 1980 SUNDAY, December 18, 2011 China Lake CBC, Kern County: Compiler: Pete Woodman, Phone: (760) 377-3466 - year began 1957 TUESDAY, December 20, 2011 Tehachapi CBC, Kern County: Compiler: Larry Parmeter, Phone: (559) 276-8753 - year began 1992 WEDNESDAY, December 21, 2011 Bear Valley Springs CBC, Kern County: Compiler: Alison Sheehey, Phone: 760-378-2029 - year began 1995 SATURDAY, December 31, 2011 Carrizo Plains CBC, Kern & San Luis Obispo Counties: Roger Zachary, Phone: (805) 466-6222 - year began 1971 South Fork Valley CBC, Kern County: Compiler Denise LaBerteaux, Phone: (760) 378-4278 - year began 1992 SUNDAY, January 1, 2012 Kern River Valley CBC, Kern County: Compiler: Alison Sheehey, Phone: 760-417-0268. Housing available bring sleeping bag - year began 1979 ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Another Feast for the Eyes: Buena Vista ARA List & Photos From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:32:18 -0800 Hi, Following is the link to the eBird checklist of birds reported for yesterday (Sunday, 12/4/11) by Alison Sheehey and Susan Steele at Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area located a few miles west of Interstate 5 and east of Taft. Alison's high-quality photos of several species grace the list of seventy-four species in all. Starting with the photo of the Bufflehead in flight from the back to ending with a photo of one of the two Townsend's Warblers found, the set of photos are exquisite. It is had for me to pick a favorite. However, the Bufflehead photo is taken from an angle I have never before seen. http://ebird.org/ebird/ca/view/checklist?subID=S9279055 Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: RFI: Red Crossbills From: "Bob and Susan Steele" <steele7 AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:58:44 -0800 Greetings everyone, I am desperately seeking Red Crossbills in Kern County this month. If you happen to find any, would you please call me at 760 382-8557 or send me an email to steele7 AT verizon.net. Thank you, Susan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Horned Grebe From: "Michael" <macbirder1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:17:22 -0000 Birders: Gary File and I had a HORNED GREBE at Lake Ming, at the entrance to the east marina. Michael McQuerrey bakersfield, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 12/4: Buena Vista ARA, Lake Ming, Lake Isabella, Plus... From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:01:33 -0800 Hi, I received a phone call from Susan Steele thirty minutes ago (4:30pm). She spent this Sunday birding with Alison Sheehey. Sun, 12/4/11...Lake Ming unit of Kern River County Park, Bakersfield: HORNED GREBE-1, White-tailed Kite-1 (Alfred Harrell Hwy south of Lake Ming). Observers: Alison Sheehey, Susan Steele. Sun, 12/4/11...Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area (between Interstate 5 & Taft): HORNED GREBE-1, Merlin-1, Herring Gull-40? 90? (not sure - but, definitely an impressive number!), TOWNSEND'S WARBLER-2. Observers: Alison Sheehey, Susan Steele. Sat, 12/3/11...Kern River Valley: RED-BREASTED MERGANSER-1 (Isabella Reservoir), HORNED GREBE-3 (Isabella Reservoir), RED-NECKED GREBE-1 (Isabella Reservoir), Bald Eagle-2 adults (Sawmill Rd west off CA Hwy 155 between the communities of Lake Isabella and Wofford Heights), Herring Gull-9 (Isabella Reservoir), American Dipper-1 (Slippery Rock Launch site just off CA Hwy 155 and Keyesville Rd north of the community of Lake Isabella), Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Old State Rd out of Wofford Heights). Observer: Susan Steele. This morning I birded Inyokern--Sewage Ponds, Inyokern--Middlemiss property, and Canebrake Ecological Reserve. A stunningly beautiful morning with relatively few bird species detected. Highlights were Costa's Hummingbird and Verdin at the Middlemiss property and a Rufous-crowned Sparrow at the Canebrake ER. Serving as the Messenger at a Level Approaching 100%, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 12/3: RED-NECKED GREBE-Isabella Reservoir From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:51:39 -0800 Hi, Susan Steele just called a very few minutes ago to report a RED-NECKED GREBE on Isabella Reservoir in the Kern River Valley in the southern Sierra Nevada of Kern County. The reservoir surface is at an elevation of 2500'-2600' and is reached c. 45 miles northeast on CA Hwy 178 from CA Hwy 99 in Bakersfield. The observation was/is being made from the south shore of the reservoir off CA Hwy 178. The Red-necked Grebe is currently around the small island at the (accessible) end of Engineers' Point - the point which sticks out into the reservoir for about one mile from between the Auxiliary Dam (next to CA Hwy 178) and Main Dam (next to CA Hwy 155). This bird has been studied in the company of a Western Grebe and Eared Grebe for comparison. This Red-necked Grebe is species #327 tallied by Susan for her 2011 Kern County Big Year list with twenty-nine days to go to try to reach 330+ species in Kern County for the year! Serving as the messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: A Thing of Beauty: Yesterday's Cal Cty Checklist! From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:35:31 -0800 Hi, The new eBird feature which allows embedding of photos makes checklists with them included things of beauty. Following is the direct link to Phil Cowan's Friday, 2 Dec 11 California City Central Park checklist with three embedded photos included. I came across the checklist a few minutes ago while conducting my daily early morning review of the eBird Kern County bar chart for December 2011. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9248510 Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Time for seasonal report wrap-up From: "kernkel" <kkheindel AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2011 02:59:42 -0000 The Fall Season (1 August - 30 November) has ended, and now is the time to compile a report detailing the significant sightings that took place in Kern County this season. Please forward to me reports of interest including unusual species, late/early migrant dates, out of season records, high numbers, notable absences etc…. Please include descriptions, photographs, recordings, sketches, and the like to help add to the value of your finds. Please submit these reports no later than December 10th. To those of you who have already sent reports or who have been sending in bits and pieces as the season has progressed, I thank you! You've made my work easier. I look forward to receiving any other reports that may still be forthcoming. Kelli Heindel-Levinson Bakersfield ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/29-30: Kern Co's San Joaquin Valley From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:04:02 -0800 Hi, Despite seeing no sun for two days and fog which took the first four hours of Tuesday morning's birding in the San Joaquin Valley portion of Kern County, Gordon Black and I went birding Tuesday afternoon and I went out Wednesday morning. No true rarities were found. Highlights for us was a flock of 850 White-faced Ibis in a flooded field off the north side of Burbank Ave. between Scaroni and Leonard, tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of blackbirds (Red-winged, Tricolored, and Yellow-headed), and a visit fog/time abbreviated visit to Kern National Wildlife Refuge where we one-by-one counted FORTY-EIGHT Common Gallinules. My Wednesday highlight was a thirty-five minute Stationary Count made of the relatively small Kern Sanitation Authority pond next to frontage road bordering the south side of CA Hwy 58 just west of Oswell Ave. in Bakersfield where I was impressed with the species diversity and number of individuals observed from a single point close to a busy freeway (CA Hwy 58). Despite the absence of true rarities, If you are interested in seeing the species and numbers list for the 11/29 Burbank Ave/White-faced Ibis location, 11/29 Kern NWR visit, and 11/30 Kern Sanitation Authority stationary count, click on the following links to view the checklists. Burbank Ave: http://ebird.org/ebird/ca/view/checklist?subID=S9229317 Kern NWR: http://ebird.org/ebird/ca/view/checklist?subID=S9229050 Kern Sanitation Authority: http://ebird.org/ebird/ca/view/checklist?subID=S9229188 Bob [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/29 N Waterthrush - California City From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:18:55 -0800 Hi, California City birder Phil Cowan shared an 11/29/11 California City Central Park eBird checklist with me with embedded photos of the evidently continuing Northern Waterthrush (first and last found and photographed by Phil on 11/7/11 - thus the "evidently continuing" qualifier.). If you are registered with eBird (whether or not you enter data), you may view the photos by accessing the publicly available checklist via this link: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9223230 When the list appears, scroll down to the waterthrush listing and two embedded photos. I am NOT sure. But, you may be able to view Phil's list and waterthrush photos even if you are not registered with eBird. PLEASE let me know if such is the case. Thank you. Bob [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/25/11: Horned Grebes, Northern Goshawk, Pacific Wren From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:30:47 -0800 Hi, David Blue and I birded portions of the Kern River Valley and Greenhorn Mountains today (Fr, 11/25/11) from 6:30am to 1:30pm (not including 5am to 6:30am and 1:30pm to 2:15pm non-birding travel time from/to Ridgecrest). HIGHLIGHTS: HORNED GREBE 2, NORTHERN GOSHAWK 1, PACIFIC WREN 1. A stationary count looking down on the Kern River from the Slippery Rock Launch site overlook yielded a nice suite of seventeen species as detected from a single spot including Common Goldeneye, Spotted Sandpiper, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, and Belted Kingfisher. A stationary count 0.6 miles west on Sawmill Rd. from CA Hwy 155 yielded species including Rufous-crowned Sparrow (2 individuals). Tillie Creek Campground yielded numerous species and numbers including Red-naped Sapsucker (3 individuals) plus the expected numerous Phainopeplas, Purple Finches, and more common species. NOTE: N. John Schmitt found HORNED GREBE (2 individuals) in/on the north arm of Isabella Reservoir below Tillie Creek Campground just a few minutes before we ran into him in the campground proper. A walk down to the shore of the reservoir and a follow-up search for the grebes by the three of us failed to relocate these two Horned Grebes; perhaps due to the fact they were moving quickly when John observed them earlier. The coniferous/evergreen zone of the Greenhorn Mountains as accessed by CA Hwy 155 yielded species including NORTHERN GOSHAWK (1 individual enjoyed flying low, flying higher, plus calling from near and calling from afar throughout a 27 minute period), Band-tailed Pigeon (12 individuals of this species which has been otherwise undetected this month), White-headed Woodpecker (3 individuals), PACIFIC WREN (1 individual calling along the creek where it runs through the upper portion of the community of Alta Sierra), and Townsend's Solitaire (1+). A drive along the first five miles of Kelso Valley Rd. south from CA Hwy 178 in Weldon yielded species including four Cactus Wrens and one Mountain Bluebird. An early afternoon visit to our last stop at Scodie Park in the community of Onyx was quiet in terms of bird activity with a single female Hairy Woodpecker proving to be the highlight (no Williamson's Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, or Red-naped Sapsucker reported for this park thus far this 2011-2012 fall-winter season). Continued Happy & Productive Birding, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California 24/7 Cell Phone Number: 760-382-1260 ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: White-throated Sparrow at Galileo 11-23-11 From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:23:07 -0000 Today, Wednesday, 11-23-11, we saw a White-throated Sparrow at Galileo/Silver Saddle Ranch. It was seen on the grass on the north side of the Pavilion with a small group of Dark-eyed Juncos. We placed a photo into the kerncobirding photo section in the album labeled 01Birds. We also saw a Greater Roadrunner in the same area but on the hillside above the grass. Ken and Brenda Kyle Bakersfield ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Two White-throated Sparrows at Hart Park From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:05:52 -0800 Hi, Madeline just called again with word of a second WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (this one a tan-striped morph) in Hart Park. This individual was in with a flock of juncos on the Kern River side of Canal Rd. She also said these birds appeared to be moving about, suggesting birding Hart Park using the Canal Rd. area as an epicenter. Due to possible Thanksgiving long weekend visitor use, birding of the area might be best as soon as it becomes birdable (e.g.: fog lifting) each day. Madeline Bauer, a visiting birder from SoCal, called a few minutes ago to report a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (white-striped morph) at Hart Park, a unit of Kern River County Park. She said this bird was found between Canal Rd. and the canal about halfway down the length of the road. Serving as the messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Bakersfield White-throated Sparrow at Hart Park From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:08:46 -0800 Hi, Madeline Bauer, a visiting birder from SoCal, called a few minutes ago to report a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (white-striped morph) at Hart Park, a unit of Kern River County Park. She said this bird was found between Canal Rd. and the canal about halfway down the length of the road. Serving as the messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Pacific Wren, Piute Mtns. From: "dgingt22" <davegoodward AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:41:38 -0000 Yesterday Nov. 22 I found a Pacific Wren along Piute Mtn. Road, 10 miles in from Kelso Valley Rd. It was in a willow thicket marked with orange flagging just past Claraville, at UTM 11S 0378907 3923264. This is about one-tenth of a mile before an abandoned dome cabin. Elevation 6,258 ft. The road was snowy/slushy but drivable (slowly). At the same location was a Gray-headed Junco with Oregons. Most of the drive up was birdless. I didn't find any flocks until this location, and again at French Meadow just up the road. Dave Goodward ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: juvenile Snow Goose at Lake Ming 11/19/11 From: "Ken and Brenda Kyle" <kbgoldennugget2 AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2011 23:22:36 -0000 This afternoon, Saturday, 11/19/11, we saw a juvenile Snow Goose at Lake Ming. It was on the lake near the flag pole. Ken and Brenda Kyle Bakersfield ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 2011-2012 Kern County Christmas Bird Count Season From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:05:44 -0800 Hi, I think Alison Sheehey and Kern Count Christmas Bird Count (CBC) compilers have done an excellent job of scheduling CBCs in a manner allowing participation on as many by as many who wish. When looking at the CBC schedule below you will notice there is a wonderfully long stretch of nine days in a row when no CBCs are scheduled. I like that. I am hopeful the weather is good during the nine days when Kern Co. CBCs are scheduled. However, if weather forces cancellation of one or more CBCs, there are all five of the weekdays between Christmas and New Year's holiday weekends to reschedule one or more CBCs if necessary. That's nice! Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - Bakersfield CBC – John Wilson, compiler Thursday, December 15, 2011 – Tejon Ranch CBC (invitation only) – Mike White, compiler Friday, December 16, 2011 - Buena Vista – Alison Sheehey, compiler Saturday, December 17, 2011 - Butterbredt CBC – Chuck Bragg, compiler Sunday, December 18, 2011 - China Lake CBC – Peter Woodman, compiler Monday, December 19, 2011 - No CBC scheduled Tuesday, December 20, 2011 - Tehachapi CBC – Larry Parmeter, compiler Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - Bear Valley Springs CBC – Alison Sheehey, compiler Saturday, December 31, 2011 - South Fork Valley CBC – Denise La Berteaux, compiler Sunday, January 1, 2012 - Kern River Valley CBC – Alison Sheehey, compiler In addition to the above, two Christmas Bird Counts circles extend partially into Kern County. Mary and Nick Freeman compile the Lancaster CBC which will be held on Sunday, December 18th, and Roger Zachary compiles the Carrizo Plains CBC which will be held on Saturday, December 31st. As Alison stated in an October 9th posting to kerncobirding, "Please put these dates on your calendar if you are interested in participating. You can view the current schedule of ALL upcoming California Christmas Bird Counts along with contact information at http://www.natureali.org/cbcs.htm" Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 8 seekers with no Rusty Blackbird today From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:43:12 -0800 Hi, Eight birders in 4 parties from both southern and northern California, including me, tried unsuccessfully to find the Rusty Blackbird at Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest today. When the coverage of all four parties is combined it adds up to virtually continuous coverage from 7am through 2pm today. One birder remained after 2pm. I do NOT know if that person succeeded in finding this bird or not. THEREFORE, there is no need for further posts on this Rusty Blackbird unless it reappears. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/14: Short-eared Owl, Rusty Blackbird, Cassin's Finch From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:11:54 -0800 Hi, During the dawn period this morning I saw a SHORT-EARED OWL alongside Munsey Rd. 2.6 miles east of Neuralia Rd. in Cantil. An OAK TITMOUSE was present in the same grove of pine trees next to the abandoned hotel in California City Central Park where a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE was found last Tuesday (11/9/11). Also found in the park were the continuing two ROSS'S GEESE and single CACKLING GO0SE, as well as a NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER. A birder from the Pasadena area named Tori (sp?) made a detour to stop by Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest on her way home from the Central Valley in northern California. She said the main gate to the athletic fields was open at 6:15am this morning. She found the RUSTY BLACKBIRD (DAY 10) on the baseball field. Thank you to Tom Wurster for finding this bird and quickly reporting it on Saturday, November 5th, as many birders known (and likely others not known) have been able to follow up with visits to the college and successful observations. Later this Monday morning, Susan Steele found a CASSIN'S FINCH at Cerro Coso CC in addition to the continuing RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Inyokern & Canebrake Ecological Reserve From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:33:12 -0800 Hi, Birded the Middlemiss property north of Inyokern*** for seventy minutes this morning followed by a two hour visit to the Canebrake Ecological Reserve+++ at the east end of the Kern River Valley's subset South Fork Valley. No true rarities were found. Even so, a MERLIN and a male RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER were new for my Inyokern-Middlemiss list and the diversity at the Canebrake ER was decent (43 species) considering the relatively brief visit and the fact that bird activity approached non-existent the first half of the walk along the Public Access Trail. For context, complete lists for these two eBird hot spot locations follow below... ABA's "A Birder's Guide to Southern California," pp. 148-149*** and pp. 131-132+++ Susan Steele just called with the news that she along with Inyo County birders Nancy Overholtz (photos) and Ron Overholtz had just observed the RUSTY BLACKBIRD at Cerro Coso CC this afternoon - clearly a very cooperative bird over a long period of several days. The following two reports were generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/california/): Inyokern--Middlemiss, Kern, US-CA Nov 13, 2011 6:20 AM - 7:30 AM Observer: Bob Barnes Protocol: Area - 10.0 ac Comments: Cloud Cover: 100%. Temperature: 44F-52F. 20 species (+1 other taxa) * California Quail 150 * Cooper's Hawk 1 * Accipiter sp. 1 * Red-tailed Hawk 1 * Merlin 1 This was a new species for me at this eBird Hot Spot. * Eurasian Collared-Dove 9 * Mourning Dove 32 * Costa's Hummingbird 1 male * Red-naped Sapsucker 1 male. This was a new species for me at this eBird Hot Spot. * Northern Flicker 1 * Common Raven 2 * Verdin 2 * Northern Mockingbird 2 * Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 3 * Spotted Towhee 2 * White-crowned Sparrow 50 * Brewer's Blackbird 1 * House Finch 5 * Lesser Goldfinch 3 * American Goldfinch 20 * House Sparrow 100 South Fork Valley--Canebrake Ecological Reserve, Kern, US-CA Nov 13, 2011 8:25 AM - 10:25 AM Observer: Bob Barnes Protocol: Traveling - 1.25 mile(s) Comments: Cloud Cover: 100%. Temperature: 45F-52F. Coverage: entire length of Public Access Trail plus edge of pond and marsh. Mammal: Coyote 1. 43 species (+1 other taxa) * Wood Duck 1 * American Wigeon 2 Two pairs. * Mallard 10 * California Quail 1 * Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 immature * Red-shouldered Hawk 2 * Red-tailed Hawk 1 * American Kestrel 1 male * Virginia Rail 7 * Sora 2 * American Coot 31 * Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 * Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 * Downy Woodpecker 1 * Northern Flicker 2 * Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1 * Black Phoebe 2 * Western Scrub-Jay 2 * Common Raven 2 * Oak Titmouse 4 * Bushtit 18 * White-breasted Nuthatch 2 * Rock Wren 2 * Canyon Wren 3 * Bewick's Wren 4 * Marsh Wren 2 * Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 * Western Bluebird 18 * American Robin 1 * European Starling 6 * Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 6 * Spotted Towhee 1 * California Towhee 3 * Song Sparrow 4 * Lincoln's Sparrow 1 * White-crowned Sparrow 76 * Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 5 * Red-winged Blackbird 10 * Tricolored Blackbird 40 * Western Meadowlark 5 * Brewer's Blackbird 5 * blackbird sp. 140 * House Finch 3 * Lesser Goldfinch 3 Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Jim Lomax - Continuing Kern Rusty Blackbird From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 13:25:12 -0800 Hi, Jim Lomax, well within the top five of those people actively birding each of California's fifty-eight counties, drove all through last night from the San Francisco Bay Area to try for the RUSTY BLACKBIRD on the campus of Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest, Kern County. He called me this morning with news of his successful viewing of this bird at 6:33am. No doubt the Rusty Blackbird at the college was a new addition to his Kern County list of bird species observed. Jim's observation confirms DAY NINE for the presence of this Rusty Blackbird at Cerro Coso CC which was first found there 11/5/11 by Tom Wurster. Congratulations to Jim all the way around. Making the most of his long drive, Jim was soon off to Lancaster in Los Angeles County to look for a reported HOODED WARBLER at Apollo Park. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Fwd: Re: 11/12: Rusty Blackbird From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:25:27 -0800 Hi, Notes and photos from Cal Yorke. >Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:56:19 -0800 (PST) >From: Callyn Yorke >Subject: Re: [kerncobirding] 11/12: Rusty Blackbird >To: Bob Barnes > >Bob, > >You may forward this message to the group. >Merissa and I also found the Rusty Blackbird on >the baseball field at CCCC today with further >celebrations of Tom Wurster's great find. This >was a State bird for both of us. We dipped on >the Clay-colored Sparrow, but got some other >treats. CCCC is a real gem of a birding spot. >This was our first time on the campus. > >Notes and photos are posted on my website: > >http://avconline.avc.edu/cyorke/fieldnotes/galileohill.html > >Cal Yorke >Green Valley, Los Angeles County > > > >From: Bob Barnes >To: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com >Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2011 1:13 PM >Subject: [kerncobirding] 11/12: Rusty Blackbird > > >Hi, > >Andrew Howe and Vernon Howe drove up from Riverside County today to >try for the RUSTY BLACKBIRD at Cerro Coso Community College in >Ridgecrest. Just a very few minutes ago Andrew called to say they had >succeeded. Once again this bird was observed on the baseball field. >This is now the EIGHTH DAY for this Rusty Blackbird at the college >where first found by Tom Wurster on the running track last Saturday, >November 5th. > >Serving as the messenger, > >Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest , Kern County, California > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/12: Rusty Blackbird From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:13:48 -0800 Hi, Andrew Howe and Vernon Howe drove up from Riverside County today to try for the RUSTY BLACKBIRD at Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest. Just a very few minutes ago Andrew called to say they had succeeded. Once again this bird was observed on the baseball field. This is now the EIGHTH DAY for this Rusty Blackbird at the college where first found by Tom Wurster on the running track last Saturday, November 5th. Serving as the messenger, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest , Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/11: Clay-colored Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:54:14 -0800 Hi, A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued in desert habitat c. 100' to the east of the small, cement-lined "watering hole" at the edge of the Cerro Coso Community College Campus in Ridgecrest. This location is within 100' of the southeast corner of the palm grove located on the south side of the east-west entrance road to the large paved parking lot in front of/on the south side of the classroom building - Bob Barnes. NOTE: This bird was previously discovered in this location by Susan Steele this past Mo., 11/7/11. The RUSTY BLACKBIRD continued for a SEVENTH DAY. This morning at about 8:30am it foraged on the center field grass of the baseball field at the college. Also present on the center and right field grass at the same time were Killdeer-4, Eurasian Collared-Dove-1, Horned Lark-275 (counted one-by-one, not an estimate), American Robin-14, European Starling-1, Red-winged Blackbird-1, and Western Meadowlark-1. Flying at the birds on the field, found in the row of trees, and/or found on the ground bordering the first base/right field side of the baseball field were Accipiter species-1, Mourning Dove-3, Northern (Red-shafted Flicker)-1, Verdin-1, Northern Mockingbird-1, Spotted Towhee-1, and White-crowned Sparrow-1 (at least) - Bob Barnes. NOTE: This bird was first found on the grass infield of the running track at the college by Tom Wurster this past Sa, 11/5/11. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Rusty blackbird still at Cerro Coso College From: "dgingt22" <davegoodward AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:54:15 -0000 This afternoon the Rusty blackbird was in foul territory along the first base line. Dave Goodward ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/911: Rusty Blackbird Continues - Day 5 From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:06:37 -0800 Hi: Knowing that Curtis Marantz was driving to Ridgecrest from Riverside County to try for the RUSTY BLACKBIRD first found this past Saturday by Tom Wurster, I decided to check to see if it was still present so I could let him know one way or another. It was - Day 5 . This bird was foraging on the grass in foul territory next to 3rd base on the Cerro Coso Community College baseball field. I notified Curtis of its continued presence. About ten minutes ago I heard from Susan Steele that Curtis did get to see the Rusty Blackbird. He ceased his observation when baseball players showed up to use the field! Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/8/11: RUSTY BLACKBIRD Continued, Plus Kern Valley Brief From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:41:48 -0800 Hi, Susan Steele visited Cerro Coso Community College briefly late this morning to check on the status of the RUSTY BLACKBIRD. It was still present. Today it was once again foraging on the college baseball field. I spent all morning and part of the early afternoon birding Isabella Reservoir and selected other locations. I found nothing truly rare. Even so, following are some highlights... BALD EAGLE adult male between South Fork Recreation Site on the east and Auxiliary Dam on the west Two OPSREY were observed, too. SEVENTY MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS including lots of bright males along both sides of Kelso Valley Rd. starting just south of the South Fork Middle School. A MALE VARIED THRUSH foraging on the lawn with an American Robin at Scodie Park in the community of Onyx. Two Chipping Sparrows foraged on the lawn, too. Also present were an Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, and Hairy Woodpecker. No sign yet this fall of Williamson's Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, or White-headed Woodpecker. Serving as the messenger on the blackbird and as the observer in the Ken River Valley until joined at Scodie Park by Alison Sheehey who photographed the Varied Thrush during a short break from a meeting since it was so cooperative and visible. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Re: Louisiana WaterThrush in California City - NOT From: "wurstertom" <wurster AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:59:18 -0000 Tom Miko forwarded Phil's photos - Bob Barnes and I agree that the bird is a Northern Waterthrush. A nice find given the November date. Tom Wurster Monrovia, CA ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: Louisiana Waterthrush California City From: "Desert Iguana"<thomas.miko AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:51:27 -0800 I am looking at emails on my cell phone, and these photos that Phil Cowan took this morning in California City Park--near the dilapidated swimming pool at the collapsing hotel--look more like a Louisiana Waterthrush: posteriorly widening supercilium, clear white throat. Now I am trying to call him back, and his phone is busy. Thomas Geza Miko Claremont 91711 Los Angeles County, California U.S.A. 909.241.3300 909.445.1456 Http://www.radioactivebirdwatcher.blogspot.com Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/7/11: Clay-colored Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Cerro Coso Community College From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:45:58 -0800 Hi, I received a phone call from Susan Steele a few minutes ago that she had just seen a "getting late" CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at Cerro Coso Community College. It was found in with a large mixed flock of Back-throated Sparrows, Sage Sparrows, and White-crowned Sparrows found c. 150' east of the small, cement-lined pond in desert habitat on the south side of the campus just above/beyond the palm grove south of the entrance road into the main classroom parking lot. Susan reports she observed the RUSTY BLACKBIRD on the baseball diamond along with three "getting late" CHIPPING SPARROWS. Susan also observed a juvenile YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. It is assumed to be a continuing individual included in reports from several days ago. Clearly, today's lunch hour of birding for Susan was efficient and rewarding. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/7/11: Rusty Blackbird Continues From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:30:49 -0800 Hi, UPDATE - The RUSTY BLACKBIRD first found Saturday by Tom Wurster was present again this Monday morning at Cerro Coco Community College in Ridgecrest, eastern Kern County. It was relocated at 6:30am by Bob Barnes at the baseball field where it foraged on the grass in center field, left field, around home plate, and around the pitcher's mound. Steve Summers arrived at 8am from Tulare County and took some great video of this bird. Stan Gray arrived just after 8am from SoCal to observe it, too. The three of us went our separate ways at 8:30am. Since this Kern Co. Rusty Blackbird might be of interest to state listers, county listers, year listers, and/or others to pursue, the simplest directions to the spot, which also avoids numerous downtown 4-way stops and traffic signals, might be: * Get to US Hwy 395 north or south towards Ridgecrest (From CA Hwy 14 go downhill/east through Inyokern to Hwy 395 South to the major southern entrance into Ridgecrest on the left.). * Take the south (Business 395) entrance to Ridgecrest off US Hwy 395. * Proceed down the long hill to the first traffic light (Albertson's/Staples/Walmart on the left and College Heights Blvd. on the right). * At the traffic light turn right onto College Heights Blvd. and go up the hill to the isolated Cerro Coso Community College campus soon visible on the hillside well above the last residential area. * Upon reaching the start of the campus, turn right off College Heights Blvd. into the first large paved parking lot which is in front of/before the college gymnasium. * Go to the end of the paved parking lot onto the back dirt half of the parking lot to the far left (SW) corner and park vehicles here/there. * Walk through the main gate at this SW corner into the athletic field complex. * The running track lies straight ahead, well less than 100 meters/yards. * To reach the main baseball field proceed along the c. 4 foot wide asphalt walkway to the right of the running track area a short distance to the open hard packed sand, gentle downhill slope to the ball field on the right. All observations of the Rusty Blackbird have been made on the lawns of either the main baseball field or running track. If for some reason this bird can NOT be found at these two locations, try the softball field beyond/west of the running track or any other areas on the campus with lawn grass. This morning the main gate leading to athletic fields was open upon arrival at 6:30am. It is possible maintenance workers might open it later than 6:30am some weekdays and not at all Saturday and/or Sunday. Regardless of whether or not going for this bird is in your plans,... Continued Happy & Productive Birding (wherever that might be!), Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/6/11: Rusty Blackbird Continues From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:01:53 -0800 Hi, UPDATE - The RUSTY BLACKBIRD first found yesterday by Tom Wurster was present again this morning at Cerro Coco Community College in Ridgecrest, eastern Kern County. It was relocated by Bob Barnes at the same location as yesterday - working the edge of the lawn inside the running track. Later it moved downhill to the baseball field where it foraged on the grass in right field. Kelli Levinson arrive shortly thereafter to observe and photograph this blackbird as it foraged on the right field grass. Other birds foraging on the running track infield at the same time as the Rusty Blackbird included eleven American Robins and a single Western Meadowlark. Other birds foraging on the baseball field at the same time as the Rusty Blackbird included two Killdeer, a flock of 225+ Horned Larks, five European Starlings, a female Red-winged Blackbird, and a single (the same?) Western Meadowlark. Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding Subject: 11/5/11: RUSTY BLACKBIRD, Cerro Coso Community College From: "Ali Sheehey" <natureali AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 21:52:20 -0700 Photos posted here on my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150366458252851.359603.791727850&type=1&l=4558c852f9 The site is public for those with the link, you don’t have to join Facebook to view the photos, I will post them elsewhere later in the week. To bed, to bird, early morn comes way too soon. Ali Sheehey Weldon, CA From: Ken Burton Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2011 9:25 PM To: calbirds Subject: [CALBIRDS] Fw: [kerncobirding] 11/5/11: RUSTY BLACKBIRD, Cerro Coso Community College Just passing this on. Elias Elias and I arrived later. This bird is incredibly confiding and may be ill. Ken Burton Arcata ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Barnes" To: Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2011 3:49 PM Subject: [kerncobirding] 11/5/11: RUSTY BLACKBIRD, Cerro Coso Community College > Hi, > > About 2pm or a little after Tom Wurster found a RUSTY BLACKBIRD > walking in the grass around the edge of the running track at Cerro > Coso Community College in Ridgecrest. > > Susan Steele, who has been birding with Tom all day, walked over from > another part of the campus to see it next > > Bob Barnes, Lee Sutton, Shirley Sutton, and Bob Steele drove from > local areas to the college and successfully observed this bird. Bob > Steele was still taking photos when I left the college about twenty > minutes ago. > > Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To post a message to the group, email: kerncobirding AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and files can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerncobirding