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2 Sep re:join [J Rosen ] 1 Sep Join [Steve Stump ] 02 Sep Long-billed Curlews at Ten Mile Beach ["Becky" ] 01 Sep American Avocet at UWTP ["choatzin" ] 31 Aug Lark Sparrow at Caspar Pond MEN [K A Havlena ] 31 Aug Gray Catbird (last June/July) ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 28 Aug Lake Cleone ["fred.andrews47" ] 26 Aug Mendocino Coast; August 23rd & 24th ["Jerry White" ] 25 Aug Long-eared Owl [George Chaniot ] 24 Aug Re: Ukiah WTP [Kathryn Parker ] 23 Aug Re: South Coast Shorebirds [K A Havlena ] 24 Aug South Coast Shorebirds ["Rich T" ] 23 Aug Lake Cleone Birds ["fred.andrews47" ] 23 Aug tagged Turkey Vultures ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 23 Aug 8 American Avocets - Ten Mile Beach [K A Havlena ] 22 Aug Garcia River Baird's Sandpipers ["Rich T" ] 21 Aug Early Waterfowl and the Caspian Terns [Karen Havlena ] 21 Aug Lesser Yellowlegs and Northern Shoveler in Caspar ["Becky" ] 21 Aug Semipalmateds [George Chaniot ] 21 Aug CATEs Ten Mile Beach ["Becky" ] 19 Aug Lesser Yellowlegs - Hare Creek (Fort Bragg) [K A Havlena ] 19 Aug Re:Caspar birding correction [Jessica Morton ] 18 Aug Caspar birding [Jessica Morton ] 18 Aug FW: Need help finding a humpback ["Ron LeValley" ] 17 Aug Lake County and an ornithological mystery [Floyd Hayes ] 17 Aug 8/17 UWTP birds [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 16 Aug 8/16: White-faced Ibis at UWTP [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 16 Aug Possible Ruby-throated Hummer ["Ron LeValley" ] 14 Aug 44 Caspian Terns - Ten Mile [Karen Havlena ] 12 Aug Lake County [Floyd Hayes ] 10 Aug Virgin Creek Beach Worth a Visit ["Becky" ] 08 Aug New UWTP Hours ["choatzin" ] 8 Aug Purple Martins at Ten Mile Bridge [Bob Keiffer ] 8 Aug Re: Least Bittern [Bob Keiffer ] 8 Aug Purple Martins at Ten Mile Bridge [Erica Fielder ] 7 Aug Lake County [Floyd Hayes ] 6 Aug Least Bittern [Jessica Morton ] 5 Aug Baird's Sandpiper & Other Ten Mile Birds [Karen Havlena ] 5 Aug Borax Lake [Floyd Hayes ] 3 Aug Pacifc Golden-Plover 7/28 to Present - Virgin Ck [Karen Havlena ] 2 Aug Re: Ex Auklet [vishnu ] 2 Aug Ex Auklet [] 2 Aug LAK - LEast Bittern ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 30 Jul Rufous-crowned Sparrow nest ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 28 Jul Re: White-faced Ibis ["Matt" ] 27 Jul White-faced Ibis ["Jerry White" ] 26 Jul Lake Co [John Luther ] 26 Jul Ruddy Turnstones at Virgin Creek ["Becky" ] 26 Jul South Coast Shorebirds ["Rich T" ] 25 Jul UWTP birds 7/25 [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 24 Jul Borax Lake [Floyd Hayes ] 22 Jul Borax Lake [Floyd Hayes ] 22 Jul More Coastal Shorebirds- ELTE -Ten Mile Beach, MEN [Karen Havlena ] 22 Jul Ruddy Turnstones on the Coast ["Becky" ] 21 Jul call for details on the Black-throated Green Warbler ["Robert J. Keiffer" ] 20 Jul MCAS Pelagic - Sun, 19 Sept - Fort Bragg [K A Havlena ] 20 Jul Ten Mile Beach Ruddy Turnstones [K A Havlena ] 16 Jul Talamge (MEN Co.) Costa's Hummingbird continues [Matt Brady ] 14 Jul Re: Digest Number 2074 [Kate Marianchild ] 14 Jul Re: Digest Number 2073 [Kate Marianchild ] 14 Jul Shorebirds at Borax Lake [Floyd Hayes ] 14 Jul RE: More Snowy Plovers Re: Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey ["Ron LeValley" ] 14 Jul More Snowy Plovers Re: Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey ["Rick & Jeanne Jackson" ] 13 Jul Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey [Karen Havlena ] 11 Jul Black-throated Green Warbler ["richhubie" ] 11 Jul Indigo Bunting(s) update [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 11 Jul Re: Digest Number 2072 [Kate Marianchild ] 10 Jul Continuing Black-throated Green Warbler/Russian Gulch SP [Chuck & Barbara Vaughn ] 11 Jul Ring-necked Pheasant in Downtown Caspar ["Becky" ] 10 Jul Mountain Birding ["Rich T" ] 10 Jul Indigo Bunting Continues ["Rich T" ] 10 Jul Continuing Costa's ["Rich T" ] 6 Jul Costa's Hummingbird ["Jerry White" ] 06 Jul Fwd: COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD [George Chaniot ] 4 Jul Sat & Sun -- Bald Eagle at Ten Mile River [Karen Havlena ] 4 Jul Ind Bunting [John Luther ] Subject: re:join From: J Rosen <mendojanet AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 08:17:43 -0700 (PDT) Hey, Steve - Welcome - wonderful we will get direct reports now!   >Posted by: "Steve Stump" stevestump AT yahoo.com   stevestump >Wed Sep 1, 2010 9:53 pm (PDT) >Hello George, I decided to join up. I would like to be able to share what I see at the UWWTP. Thanks, Steve Stump [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Join From: Steve Stump <stevestump AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:24:10 -0700 (PDT) Hello George, I decided to join up. I would like to be able to share what I see at the UWWTP. Thanks, Steve Stump [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Long-billed Curlews at Ten Mile Beach From: "Becky" <casparbeck AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:31:19 -0000 This afternoon at Ward Avenue, I spotted at least 6 LBCU flying north at an altitude of about 50 feet. There were at least three birds behind the lead 6. The noise was a racket. I figure I spent at least three minutes cursing and carrying on because I couldn't get my camera up and focused, plus another two minutes to fumble with my phone. According to the phone read-out, I called Karen Havlena at 3:08 p.m. and told her the birds were headed her way (Ten Mile River--approximatley 5 miles north). Karen later confirmed 7 LBCU and 4 MAGO at Ten Mile River (they flew north again shortly after that). After several calls back and forth, Karen and I decided to trust George Chaniot's superior mathematical abilities. Taking into account distance, speed, wind, and whatever else intelligence requires, he figured the birds were traveling at approximately 7.5 mph--thus satisfying our never-ending mission to find out how and how fast shorebirds get from point A to point B. Subject: American Avocet at UWTP From: "choatzin" <cwatson AT pacific.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:08:05 -0000 Wednesday September 1, 2010 Steve Stump reports an AMERICAN AVOCET on the south pond of the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant this morning. Cheryl Watson Ukiah, CA Subject: Lark Sparrow at Caspar Pond MEN From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:13:13 -0700 (PDT) Tues, 31 August 2010 -- Dorothy "Toby" Tobkin called that she saw an adult LARK SPARROW in the field adjacent to Caspar Pond (east of Hwy 1 along Fern Creek Rd). Unfortunately, the bird flew away at the time.  Also, Toby saw approx. 5-7 LESSER GOLDFINCH in the same area. For Dorothy Tobkin (K Havlena) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Gray Catbird (last June/July) From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:18:34 -0700 31 August 2010 - Last mid-July it came to the attention of some local birders that a Gray Catbird had been observed and photographed for about a week from June 26 - July 8, 2010. The observation and photos were by the landowners who are located in the Robinson Creek/Boonville Road area. An unsuccessful attempt was made, with permission by the landowners, by several local birders to relocate the bird on July 15th. Apparently the bird was not seen after July 8th. This eastern species vagrant has been long overdue in Mendocino County, and we have one other undocumented sighting in the Covelo area in recent years. However, with great photos of this bird (soon to be viewed on the Peregrine Audubon website ( http://www.peregrineaudubon.org/photos.html ), the Mendocino County Bird Records Committee unanimously ACCEPTED this recent sighting as the FIRST documented record for Mendocino County. Fall is probably the most active migration period for vagrants to occur, so keep your eyes peeled in your backyards, along riparian strips, along the coast .. just about anywhere. Good Birding! Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Cleone From: "fred.andrews47" <fredandrews1963 AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:48:32 -0000 On the trail around Lake Cleone, August 28, 2010, 1;35 P.M. tO 3:30, Cloudy skies, slight breeze. Mallards, Brewer's blackbirds, 1 osprey, 1 Great blue heron, 1 Pied-billed grebe, Barn and Violet-green swallows, 3 Turkey vultures, 3 Common ravens, 1 marsh wren (heard), Western gulls, 1 Heerman's gull among the Western gulls on the lake (1st winter, brown, pale bill), 1 song sparrow, 1 male downy woodpecker, 40+ Cedar waxwings perched at top of dead pines near pumphouse, Chestnut-backed chickadees, 1 Western scrub jay, 1 male Wilson's warbler, 1 mourning dove, possibly 4 Band-tailed pigeons, Steller's Jays, 2 Vaux's swifts, 1 male Anna's hummingbird (heard others), and 1 Double-crested cormorant flying overhead. Fred Subject: Mendocino Coast; August 23rd & 24th From: "Jerry White" <white-jerry AT att.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:11:07 -0700 On Monday the 23rd there were 2 White-winged Scoters amongst a large flock of Surf Scoters at Ward Avenue. On Tuesday the 24th at the Garcia River estuary there were 2 Black-crowned Night-Herons and 4 ELEGANT TERNS. A Peregrine Falcon (I saw a total of 4 during the 2 days) kept chasing off the shorebirds, but 2 Marbled Godwits did land briefly. There was some evidence of land bird migration with a Townsend's Warbler on Miner Hole Road and Warbling Vireos, a Cassin's Vireo, and a Yellow Warbler at Windy Hollow. Jerry White [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Long-eared Owl From: George Chaniot <chaniot AT pacific.net> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:40:30 -0700 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 -- I was awakened at 03:30 this morning by what sounded like a group of geese calling in the moonlight. I went out on the deck to listen and instead I heard a LONG-EARED OWL calling about 150 yards away. It called four times in 15 minutes, or about once every five minutes. This was my third encounter here in 31 years. I never did figure out the goose thing - maybe a very distant group of coyotes yapping. George Chaniot Potter Valley, MEN, CA Subject: Re: Ukiah WTP From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:11:33 -0700 Does the Ukiah WTP open at 7 or 7:30? Thanks, Kathy Parker Los Gatos Subject: Re: South Coast Shorebirds From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:41:47 -0700 (PDT) Rich and Rich --  Thank you, over and over, for the comrehensive reports from the SW corner of Mendocino County.  Seeing 15 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS is wonderful.  The largish groups (relatively speaking) of migrating species recently is very interesting.   I just did a cursory review of the SOS shorebird surveys at MacKerricher SP, Fort Bragg and north.  I only saw one Long-billed Curlew so far, but I could have missed one or two.  Thanks again. Please keep birding these SW locations, Karen Havlena ________________________________ From: Rich T To: Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, August 23, 2010 6:11:58 PM Subject: [Mendobirds] South Coast Shorebirds   23 August 2010 Garcia River & Manchester Beach This morning, Rich Kuehn and I birded the beach from the end of Stonboro to the mouth of the Garcia River. There were good numbers of WESTERN SANDPIPERS, SANDERLINGS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, along with a few LEAST SANDPIPERS, a WHIMBREL, and 4 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS. In the lagoon at the mouth of the river there were 15 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, 2 MARBLED GODWITS, 3 WILLETS, KILLDEER, about a dozen BLACK TURNSTONES flew over, and 2 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. Feels like migration has finally started in earnest ... Good Birding, Rich and Rich [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: South Coast Shorebirds From: "Rich T" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:11:58 -0000 23 August 2010 Garcia River & Manchester Beach This morning, Rich Kuehn and I birded the beach from the end of Stonboro to the mouth of the Garcia River. There were good numbers of WESTERN SANDPIPERS, SANDERLINGS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, along with a few LEAST SANDPIPERS, a WHIMBREL, and 4 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS. In the lagoon at the mouth of the river there were 15 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, 2 MARBLED GODWITS, 3 WILLETS, KILLDEER, about a dozen BLACK TURNSTONES flew over, and 2 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. Feels like migration has finally started in earnest ... Good Birding, Rich and Rich Subject: Lake Cleone Birds From: "fred.andrews47" <fredandrews1963 AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:59:35 -0000 Morning of August 23, 2010. Clear skies, no wind. 13 American Avocets flying over the lake and out to the ocean. Chestnut-backed chickadees, House Finches, Steller's Jays, Anna's Hummingbirds (male and female), Song Sparrows, Wrentit, Mallards, Osprey, 4 Pied-billed Grebes, male Beleted Kingfisher, Black Phoebe, Western Gulls, Brewer's Blackbirds, male and female American Goldfinch, Marsh Wrens, Great Blue Heron, immature Double-crested Cormorant, Mourning Doves, Commone Ravens, Bushtits, Acorn Woodpeckers (males and females). Fred Subject: tagged Turkey Vultures From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:55:53 -0700 23 August 2010 - Last week while driving to Ukiah my wife spotted a tagged Turkey Vulture along Hwy 101 near the "Strawberry Stand" on the south side of Burke Hill. Unfortunately we did not have time to turn around to read the number on the patagial wing tag. This is one of the TUVU's banded by UC Davis researchers a couple years back, many of which were tagged at the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center. If anyway happens to see one of these birds, please try to read the number on the tag and either post the sighting or contact me directly. Thanks . and good birding. Bob Keiffer rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 8 American Avocets - Ten Mile Beach From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:00:47 -0700 (PDT) Mon, 23 August 2010 -- Angela Liebenberg just saw 8 AMERICAN AVOCETS on Ten Mile beach, north of the Ward Ave ramp and the SNOWY PLOVERs fence.  The birds were together north of the SNPL hangout, but south of Fen Creek mouth, which is the wide, dry opening south of Inglenook Creek.  Just guessing, but it may be 1 1/2 miles walk north of the Ward Ave ramp. Angela said that 3 of the Amer Avocets were still in partial breeding plumage.  For Angela Liebenberg (Thanks to Becky for passing along the news at about 8-am) K Havlena [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Garcia River Baird's Sandpipers From: "Rich T" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:20:20 -0000 22 Aug 2010 Garcia River mouth, Point Arena This morning at 11:30 there were 2 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS with a large flock of WESTERN SANDPIPERS and SANDERLINGS at the mouth of the Garcia River. Good Birding, Rich Trissel Gualala Subject: Early Waterfowl and the Caspian Terns From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:16:44 -0700 (PDT) Fri-Sat, 20-21 Aug 2010 --  Toby Tobkin has noticed early ducks arriving with the N Shoveler at Caspar Pond (Sat) and a N Pintail at Hare Creek on Friday. Also, the Gtr White-fronted Goose at the UWTP last week (CEV) seemed to be early.  Maybe it summered in a somewhat local spot and is just now getting the urge to move on.  Jim just arrived home from Minnesota, where he noted a lack of ducks for mid-August.  He did see a pair of Eastern Kingbirds in West Minnesota three days ago (and they are supposed to be regular, early migrants).  It is a different type of year. I talked with Becky about her 82 Caspian Terns flying south along Ten Mile beach.  I saw at least half of them from my living room window.  In just a few minutes Friday afternoon, I saw about 45 CATEs flying by heading south towards Becky. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, MEN, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lesser Yellowlegs and Northern Shoveler in Caspar From: "Becky" <casparbeck AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:17:07 -0000 Today at Caspar Creek, Toby Tobkin observed a Lesser Yellowlegs. At Caspar Pond off Highway 1, she spotted a Northern Shoveler. for Toby Tobkin Subject: Semipalmateds From: George Chaniot <chaniot AT pacific.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:46:56 -0700 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 -- This morning there was a SEMPALMATED SANDPIPER on the sludge lagoon at the Ukiah Sewage Treatment Plant. It was with three juvenile Western Sandpipers and tended to keep out of sight in the vegetation. On the north percolation pond there was a fly-by SEMIPALMATED PLOVER seen and heard well. George Chaniot Potter Valley, MEN, CA Subject: CATEs Ten Mile Beach From: "Becky" <casparbeck AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:54:39 -0000 On an SOS survey yesterday at Ten Mile Beach (between 1-3 p.m.), I saw 82 Caspian Terns flying in small groups, hunting in surf, and gathering in a large group near Ward Avenue. Conditions were sunny to foggy and stiff wind. There were more that I didn't count. They were all flying south and I could hear them flying by when I was shooting pictures. Subject: Lesser Yellowlegs - Hare Creek (Fort Bragg) From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:00:52 -0700 (PDT) Thurs, 19 Aug 2010 -- Dorothy "Toby" Tobkin called to say that a LESSER YELLOWLEGS was at Hare Creek mouth, just south of the intersection of Hwy 1 and Hwy 20, at the south edge of Fort Bragg.   There were also other Western and Least Sandpipers and a Semipalmated Plover or two around. The current access is from the south side of the Hare Ck bridge.  Turn west on Cypress and vere right again.  Look for a fence with a break.  The trail is narrow and wet, due to a seep or spring.  Use extreme caution navigating this trail. For Dorothy Tobkin K Havlena, Fort Bragg, MEN, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re:Caspar birding correction From: Jessica Morton <jessica AT mcn.org> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:35:52 -0700 Re-reading my post: you'd want to turn LEFT onto Caspar Frontage Road unless you're doing a pelagic trip. Sorry. Subject: Caspar birding From: Jessica Morton <jessica AT mcn.org> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:03:17 -0700 Meandering along the Caspar Frontage Road (turn right at the end of the main street - you can't miss it!) Wednesday early afternoon, found a Western Kingbird perched on a power line above the grassy field along the north side of the road. Sharing the wire were apparent juvenal Western Bluebirds in various stages of disheveled molts. They were having great luck getting grubs and larvae from the field below them. Subject: FW: Need help finding a humpback From: "Ron LeValley" <ron AT madriverbio.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:27:17 -0700 Hi birders, If you are out looking at the ocean on this calm day, watch for the entangled whale. Details below. From: Sheila Semans [mailto:ssemans AT scc.ca.gov] Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 11:04 AM Subject: Need help finding a humpback Hello All; I just got a call from Dawn Goley at HSU telling me that there is a badly entangled humpback whale off our coast (somewhere between Pt. Arena and Albion they think). They have already dispatched an entanglement team as well as the coast guard, but are having trouble finding it. If you know anyone who lives near the water in that area, give them a call and ask them to look. If the whale is spotted, call Dawn at 498-6200. Thanks in advance for the help. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake County and an ornithological mystery From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:18:08 -0700 (PDT) On Friday the 13th, Doug Weidemann and I joined Brad and Kathy Barnwell at Lakeport and we canoed (Doug and I) or kayaked (Brad and Kathy) on Clear Lake south to Corinthian Bay. At Manning Creek we found a juvenile WILSON'S PHALAROPE swimming out on the lake. At Rumsey Slough we found two LEAST BITTERNS and a female NORTHERN SHOVELER. We also encountered 19 scattered nests of WESTERN and CLARK'S GREBES, mostly at Rumsey Slough. In the afternoon Doug and I saw another LEAST BITTERN--our third for the day--at Rodman Slough. On Sunday the 15th, Doug and I canoed to the large grebe colony at Anderson Marsh. We saw an AMERICAN BITTERN and two COMMON MOORHENS at the south end of the island at the south end of Clear Lake. At the grebe colony we saw four adult (two male, two female) with four downy young RUDDY DUCKS, providing one of the few breeding records for the county. In the afternoon we canoed to the large colony of nesting grebes on floating mats of algae at the north end of the lake, near the mouth of Rodman Slough. A juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was standing alone on a thick mat of algae a few hundred yards from shore, allowing us to approach amazingly close. We also scoped Borax Lake from the road, spotting a single DOWITCHER (species unidentified) and a bunch of peeps, but nothing else unusual. If you're wondering why we're spending so much time out on the lake, it's because we're contracted by the Redbud Audubon Society to study nesting Aechmophorus grebes. While studying the grebe colonies we encountered a few oddities that may interest some of you. A PIED-BILLED GREBE chick was alone and appeared to be abandoned in a nest within the midst of the Aechmorphorus grebe colony at Rodman's Slough on Friday the 13th, and on Sunday the 15th we noticed two smaller eggs among three much larger eggs in a nest in the Anderson Marsh colony. We suspect the eggs were dumped by PIED-BILLED GREBES and the chick was abandoned after it had hatched. Finally, we have a bizarre ornithological mystery to contemplate: on Sunday the 15th, we found a dead juvenile CALIFORNIA GULL beside an Aechmophorus grebe nest with 11 entire, unbroken eggs at the edge of the colony on floating algal mats at the north end of the lake. We wondered how the 11 eggs got to the nest, whether a gull could carry them without breaking them, and whether the gull had been fatally speared from beneath by grebes defending their nests. Any thoughts? Floyd Hayes Hidden Valley Lake, CA Subject: 8/17 UWTP birds From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:42:52 -0700 Greetings Mendobirders- I birded the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant this morning. I could not refind the 3 White-faced Ibis that Steve Stump reported yesterday. However, I did find a juv SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER on the S edge of the N pond. It was with about 15 Least Sandpipers, foraging along the thin exposure of mud there. That is presently the only mud out there! There were also 5 NORTHERN SHOVELERS and 1 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, all first of fall birds for me. Chuck ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: 8/16: White-faced Ibis at UWTP From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:07:37 -0700 Greetings Mendobirders- Steve Stump reports that there were 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS at the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant oxidation ponds at 1 pm today (5 minutes ago). The birds were on the dike bordering the south edge of the middle oxidation pond. They were with the Mallards and Double-crested Cormorants beyond the sprinklers. Steve Stump ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: Possible Ruby-throated Hummer From: "Ron LeValley" <ron AT madriverbio.com> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:46:48 -0700 Hi all, Some of you have heard, but I thought I would let others know. Yesterday we had a possible Ruby-throated Hummingbird at our feeder in Little River. Some of the pictures look pretty interesting, but I was not able to see or photograph the primaries of the suspect bird. Peter Pyle reviewed the photos last night and is not entirely convinced. I am attempting to see the bird and photograph it again today, but have not been successful in seeing the bird. It is not helping that our deck is being power washed at the moment. They'll be done in a couple of hours and then I will spend some time trying to get another look. If it shows up again, I'll let you all know. Ron Ron LeValley Mad River Biologists Mendocino Office P.O. Box 332 Little River CA 95456 Office:: 707/937-1742 Cell: 707/496-3326 ron AT madriverbio.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 44 Caspian Terns - Ten Mile From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:59:36 -0700 (PDT) Sat, 14 August 2010 -- While crossing the Ten Mile R. bridge today, I spotted a large group of gulls and terns on the sandy, south shore west of the bridge. With my scope I counted (3 times) a total of 44 CASPIAN TERNS, and over 60 CALIFORNIA GULLS.  That is the largest group of Caspian Terns I have seen in Mendocino County.  That is probably not a record number of CATEs for MEN, but it's more than I usually see on Ten Mile (river & beach).  I checked carefully, but there were only the two species present in the group. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake County From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:41:31 -0700 (PDT) On Tuesday the 10th, Doug Weidemann and I explored Long Tule Point along the west shore of Clear Lake by canoe. Although we didn't find any grebe nests, we saw a LEAST BITTERN, a juvenile WILLET (found by Doug) in an unusual habitat--standing at the edge of the reeds--and a MARBLED GODWIT (found by Doug) flying overhead. At Borax Lake we were joined by Nick Shepherd and saw six WILSON'S PHALAROPES, two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and two LESSER YELLOWLEGS. We couldn't relocate the SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER but didn't have much time to look at the peeps, because a gentleman who owned the land politely asked us to leave so we couldn't sue him if we got injured. It was the first time in dozens of visits that I had ever been asked to leave, so be aware that it might happen to you if you hike out to the shore of the lake. Luckily Nick found a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER in the morning and showed me some excellent photos that he had taken. Floyd Hayes Hidden Valley Lake, CA Subject: Virgin Creek Beach Worth a Visit From: "Becky" <casparbeck AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:55:51 -0000 Virgin Creek Beach north of Fort Bragg has good birding right now--in spite of a large sea lion carcass that has been on the beach for about a week. Today after 1 p.m. (at the north end of the beach), we spotted another Pacific Golden-Plover, and a large number of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones, a Spotted Sandpiper, Marbled Godwits, Surfbirds and 21 Least Sandpipers as well as other shorebirds. Don't be discouraged by fog or the carcass. Subject: New UWTP Hours From: "choatzin" <cwatson AT pacific.net> Date: Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:51:45 -0000 Sunday August 8, 2010 New weekend hours for the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant are 7AM to 10AM. Chuck and Barbara Vaughn, Matt Brady, Geoff Heinecken, and I saw a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE resting with a flock of CANADA GEESE on the bank of the north pond this morning. Cheryl Watson Ukiah Subject: Purple Martins at Ten Mile Bridge From: Bob Keiffer <rjkeiffer AT wildblue.net> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 08:36:09 -0700 8 August 2010 - Purple Martins have been seen consistently along University Road east of Hopland throughout this summer period (June, July) and into early August. PUMA have been at this location in late summers/fall in prior years, but this year we have confirmed at least two active nests. I saw one adult carrying a large insect into a power pole cavity just last week, and another power pole has a probable nest confirmed by the female dive-bombing me. We actually suspect possible second-nesting (this season) in the one cavity. There have been as many as 10 birds confirmed at one time. It is great to have this species nesting in the inland part of the county with the only other past inland nestings that I know of were at 1) a power pole on the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center, and 2) near the Eel River Bridge near Van Arsdale Dam. Good birding. Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Least Bittern From: Bob Keiffer <rjkeiffer AT wildblue.net> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 08:11:31 -0700 8 Aug 2010 - I spoke with Jessica about her recent post of a Least Bittern at the USTP. After discussion with Jessica we soon determined that she had recalled a recent post on Mendobirds of a Least Bittern (however, it was Clear Lake, Lake County, on July 31st) and she made the mistake of thinking it was from the Ukiah Sewage Treatment Plant (USTP). Jessica wishes to retract her post admitting that she jumped to conclusions a little too quickly and most probably observed a Green Heron, perhaps an immature. I would like to point out that birding is a skill that is honed by personal interest, reference checking and experience. None of us start out as "expert" birders, and we are all constantly learning more about the bird species and their likes and dislikes for habitat use. I certainly wish to encourage all birders to post unusual sightings as quickly as possible to Mendobirds as I would rather track down a few mis-identified birds in order to immediately know about that one, new, rare species that shows up in the county. So I encourage such postings, not every common bird that you see (that is what Ebird is for) but by all means the less common, unusual, out-of-place, out-of-season, first-migrant arrivals, etc. And thanks to Jessica for understanding the situation. The Mendocino County Bird Records Committee reviews all first and second observation records of a species found in Mendocino County (we automatically accept records of the California Birds Records Committee (CBRC) for birds on the state "review" list) Go to http://www.californiabirds.org/ for more information where you can search for the rare "review list" Mendocino County records. Good Birding. Bob Keiffer On Fri, Aug 6, 2010 at 11:20 PM, Jessica Morton wrote: > > > A Killdeer helped me see the Least Bittern at the Ukiah STP today at > about 1 p.m. by landing by the Bittern, who was near the southeast > corner of the northernmost pond. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Unsubscribe: mailto:MENDOBIRDS-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MENDOBIRDS Listowners: mailto:MENDOBIRDS-owner AT yahoogroups.com For vacation suspension of mail go to the website. 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Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Purple Martins at Ten Mile Bridge From: Erica Fielder <efielder AT mcn.org> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 07:41:29 -0700 Dear Birders, Today I counted 15, and possibly 17, purple martins on the telephone wire and on a lowland fir snag next to my house. They obviously had success raising young in the cavities built into the new Ten Mile Bridge for martins and bats. This is great news since I counted only 6 birds last year. Erica ************************************************ For more information on interpretive panels created in Erica Fielder Studio, please visit: http://www.ericafielder-ecoartist.com For information on the Bird Feeder Hat Interpretive Project, and how to make your own Bird Feeder Hat, go to: http://www.birdfeederhat.org Erica Fielder Studio P.O. Box 1075, Mendocino, CA 95460 707-964-1467 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake County From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 13:39:30 -0700 (PDT) On Friday the 8th, Doug Weidemann and I joined the Barnwells to check up on two large nesting colonies of WESTERN and CLARK'S GREBES at Rodman Slough--one a few hundred yards north of the bridge in the slough, the other on floating mats of algae on the lake several hundred yards south of the mouth of Rodman Slough. Karen Barnwell pointed out to us a LEAST BITTERN about 100 yards north of the bridge at Rodman Slough. Later in the day Doug and I birded Borax Lake where we saw 17 CINNAMON TEAL (one with a slightly shorter bill and more contrasting face may have been a BLUE-WINGED, but we weren't convinced), one SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, seven WILSON'S PHALAROPES and 11 hungry AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS. Doug and I found another large colony of nesting grebes in Anderson Marsh. Between Redbud Park and Anderson Marsh we saw two BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS in a novel habitat--standing on floating mats of algae in the middle of the lake! Four CASPIAN TERNS were flying around the area. Floyd Hayes Hidden Valley Lake, CA Subject: Least Bittern From: Jessica Morton <jessica AT mcn.org> Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 23:20:50 -0700 A Killdeer helped me see the Least Bittern at the Ukiah STP today at about 1 p.m. by landing by the Bittern, who was near the southeast corner of the northernmost pond. Subject: Baird's Sandpiper & Other Ten Mile Birds From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 12:50:05 -0700 (PDT) Thurs, 5 August 2010 -- There was a single BAIRD'S SANDPIPER with a few WESTERN SANDPIPERs south of Fen Ck mouth and north of the (9) SNOWY PLOVERS fenced area.  Today was surely different from Tuesday, having less species diversity.  Tuesday's birds included RUDDY &  BLACK TURNSTONES, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, BLACK OYSTERCATCHER and WILLET, but none of them were around here this morning. A WANDERING TATTLER and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER were on the rocky (north) side of Ten Mile river mouth.  SANDERLINGs are looking quite beautiful in half-molt between breeding and basic plumage, showing silver, black and white on their backs and wings. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, MEN, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Borax Lake From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 10:24:19 -0700 (PDT) Last evening Doug Weidemann and I saw one SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, two juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, nine WILSON'S PHALAROPES and an adult BALD EAGLE at Borax Lake. Floyd Hayes Hidden Valley Lake, CA Subject: Pacifc Golden-Plover 7/28 to Present - Virgin Ck From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 20:02:36 -0700 (PDT) Wed, 28 July - 3 August 2010 -- A molting PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER has been at Virgin Creek beach for a week, but somehow it never got reported to this listserv.  The bird was found by Sal Salerno of Stanislaus County.  The bird has been seen and photographed by several local birders.  Toby Tobkin called to tell me that it is still here.  Now, it will probably leave tonight..... For Dorothy "Toby" Tobkin (KHv) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Ex Auklet From: vishnu <vishnuvishnu AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 13:57:28 -0700 On Aug 2, 2010, at 11:37 AM, gashawk AT mcn.org wrote: > Is any one, or a group, taking records of coastal moralities? As I recall there used to be a group recording coastal moralities, but they were able to discover so few that they abandoned the endeavor within a few weeks. It was found that moralities tend to be a bit higher here on the north coast than in southern California, but this was finally and reluctantly attributed simply to climatic variations. Skinny-dipping here in our tidal pools, for example, tends to be both quite cold and uncomfortably abrasive, and thus is seldom practiced. It is certainly something that many birders will want to be on the look-out for - coastal morality, that is. V. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ex Auklet From: gashawk AT mcn.org Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 11:37:54 -0700 Sad to say I found a dead Rhinoceros Auklet on Caspar beach. Aug 1 Is any one, or a group, taking records of coastal moralities? Subject: LAK - LEast Bittern From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 08:59:29 -0700 31 July 2010 - Greg Giusti reports getting a very close and good look at a LEAST BITTERN on Quercus Point while bass fishing. He said that he was able to get very close to it before it descended back into the tules. Posted for Greg by Bob Keiffer. Good Birding. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rufous-crowned Sparrow nest From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:27:58 -0700 29 July 2010 - While collecting native grass seeds for a researcher in one of the ungrazed units of the UC-Hopland Research and Extension Center I happened across a Rufous-crowned Sparrow nest with about 1-week old nestlings. I discovered the nest by seeing one of the adults leave the nest. Even though nesting has been confirmed in the past by several observers watching adults feed fledged young, this is only the second actual nest ever documented in Mendocino County. The first was also at UC-HREC last year, but at a much lower elevation. The nest is in an area dominated by blue oaks with broken canopy and mainly a grass understory of native bunch grasses and exotic annual grasses. Within 10 feet in any direction the understory is 100% coverage mainly dominated by annual grasses, but where the nest actually occurs is within a small area of maybe 20% ground cover, and that is comprised of spsarse native bunch grass clumps. The nest is tucked under the edge of one of those clumps. Aspect is WSW (hot exposure) and slope is about 35% and elevation 2100'. Good birding. Bob Keiffer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: White-faced Ibis From: "Matt" <podoces AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:41:39 -0000 Hello all. I, too, visited the USTP today, though between 11:10 and 12:20. I did NOT see the Ibis, which is unfortunate, as it would still be a Mendocino County bird for me. However, I did note seven (7) Least Sandpipers, one (1) Western Sandpiper, one (1) Spotted Sandpiper, one (1) Long-billed Dowitcher, one (1) Lesser Yellowlegs and one (1) BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. All were along the edge of the north pond, and all were, as far as I could tell, adults still mostly in alternate plumage. Also of note were three (3) Green Herons, one (1) Yellow-breasted Chat (still singing) and one (1) Pacific-slope Flycatcher calling along the Russian River. Matt Brady Potter Valley --- In Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Jerry White" wrote: > > A WHITE-FACED IBIS was found this morning at the Ukiah Treatment Ponds by Paul Hawks. The bird was still there this afternoon at the "entrance pond ". There was also a Golden Eagle seen flying high over the ponds. > This morning there were 4 Least Sandpipers, a Long-billed Dowitcher and the continuing Lesser Yellowlegs. > Jerry and Nikki White > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: White-faced Ibis From: "Jerry White" <white-jerry AT att.net> Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:11:04 -0700 A WHITE-FACED IBIS was found this morning at the Ukiah Treatment Ponds by Paul Hawks. The bird was still there this afternoon at the "entrance pond ". There was also a Golden Eagle seen flying high over the ponds. This morning there were 4 Least Sandpipers, a Long-billed Dowitcher and the continuing Lesser Yellowlegs. Jerry and Nikki White [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Co From: John Luther <aplomado-falcon AT att.net> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:13:16 -0700 (PDT) Birded at Borax Lake today in Lake Co.  The lake is a short distance north of the town of Clearlake.  During two visits to Borax Lake today I saw 4 Wilson's Phalaropes, a Pectoral Sandpiper, a Baird's Sandpiper, 3 Semipalmated Plovers, Killdeer and about 50 Least and Western Sandpipers.  These birds were all at the south end of the lake on the peninsula that goes north into the lake.  John Luther Oakland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ruddy Turnstones at Virgin Creek From: "Becky" <casparbeck AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:47:55 -0000 Sal Salerno, Stanislaus Audubon, and wife Barbara joined the Save Our Shorebirds survey late this morning at Virgin Creek Beach just north of Fort Bragg. We saw six Ruddy Turnstones and large numbers of Surfbirds and Black Turnstones as well as Western Sandpipers, Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Black Oystercatchers and a few Heermann's Gulls. It's a good time to be out there. Subject: South Coast Shorebirds From: "Rich T" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:11:29 -0000 25 July 2010 Gualala River to Alder Creek Rich Kuehn and I did an informal shorebird survey starting at the Gualala River and working our way as far north as Alder Creek. We had a single GREATER YELLOWLEGS at Cook's Beach which is accessed off road 526 across from St. Orre's restaurant. At several pulloffs along Highway 1 we saw WANDERING TATTLERS (a surprising total of at least 10 for the day), BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS, SPOTTED SANDPIPERS and BLACK TURNSTONES. At Hearn Gulch Beach we had a single RUDDY TURNSTONE. At Alder Creek beach there were many KILLDEERS, a few SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, a small flock of WESTERN SANDPIPERS and what must have been a small group of SANDERLINGS in alternate plumage that, due to their relative apparent size and bright red coloration, had us initially thinking Red Knot (not). Good Birding, Rich Trissel Gualala Subject: UWTP birds 7/25 From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:34:03 -0700 Greetings Mendobirders- Barbara and I met Cheryl Watson and Geoff Heinecken at the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant this morning for some birding around the oxidation ponds. There were some birds of local interest. An adult m NORTHERN PINTAIL, already in mostly basic plumage, was on the north pond. The 4 GREATER SCAUP (2 m, 2 f), which have spent the summer out there, were still present. An adult f RUDDY DUCK was leading 6 downy young around the middle pond. Cheryl and I have seen them previously on July 18. This is the only place they are known to breed in Mendocino County, and this is the fifth consecutive year they have bred successfully there. There were 16 SNOWY EGRETS around the edges of the middle and north ponds. This is the largest number we remember seeing inland. They were accompanied by a juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, another locally rare bird in the summer. Finally, there was a LESSER YELLOWLEGS on the edge of the north pond with the usual assortment of peeps. The only shorebird habitat out there presently is along the edge of the north pond. I think that they have given up on their efforts to drain the south pond, so mud is at a premium. Chuck ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: Borax Lake From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:16:29 -0700 (PDT) On Friday the 23rd there were two BLACK-NECKED STILTS at Borax Lake. Floyd Hayes Hidden Valley Lake, CA Subject: Borax Lake From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:55:37 -0700 (PDT) On Tuesday the 20th, Doug Weidemann and I found an adult male WILSON'S PHALAROPE, a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and a PHAINOPEPLA at Borax Lake. On Friday the 16th, two female-type CINNAMON TEAL were at Borax Lake. Floyd Hayes Hidden Valley Lake, CA Subject: More Coastal Shorebirds- ELTE -Ten Mile Beach, MEN From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:32:14 -0700 (PDT) Thur, 22 July 2010 -- Two ELEGANT TERNS were on the beach north of Inglenook Creek mouth with a small flock of gulls.  They were agitated by the incoming tide and flew in low circles, landing and circling.  After a  few minutes, the terns flew north into the light fog.  Perhaps they will be in Humboldt Co tomorrow. Six unbanded SNOWY PLOVERS were just north of the symbolic fenced area.  This is about 200 yards north of the Ward Ave ramp, Cleone.  One RUDDY TURNSTONE was nearby.  Three CASPIAN TERNS flew south near this spot.  About 2-miles north at Inglenook Crk mouth, I saw two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS.  They were so tame, I had a difficult time getting them to call.  (Actually, one was definitely a Long-billed, while the other could have been a Short-billed -- it never called and was molting). Interestingly, this morning had only 11 WHIMBREL during my entire 4+ mile walk on Ten Mile beach.  On Tuesday, I saw 47 Whimbrels!! Chuck and Barbara Vaughn came over from Ukiah to look for some of the above-mentioned shorebirds.  I told them I thought Tuesday's WHIM count was in the high '20's, but it really was 47. What a difference in only 2 days. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ruddy Turnstones on the Coast From: "Becky" <casparbeck AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:33:35 -0000 If you're looking for Ruddy Turnstones, now is the time to see them in MacKerricher State Park. For the last week, our surveyors have seen from 3-5 at Virgin Creek Beach (north end of beach) and 3-4 on the beach and on off-shore rocks near the Ward Avenue ramp at Ten Mile Beach. Very colorful. Very beautiful. Also good numbers of Black Turnstones and Surfbirds. Subject: call for details on the Black-throated Green Warbler From: "Robert J. Keiffer" <rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:42:31 -0700 21 July, 2010 Wednesday - For those of you who were lucky enough to see and/or hear the Black-throated Green Warbler at Russian Gulch between July 9th (found by Matt Victoria) and July 11th (or longer?) please send me your descriptions. This will assuredly be MEN's first county record for the species, but the record will have to first be reviewed and accepted by our Mendocino County Birds Records Committee. Please email or "snail-mail" your observation notes to me. Many thanks. Bob Keiffer rjkeiffer AT ucdavis.edu 4070 University Road, Hopland CA 95449 There are some who are still interested in seeing this bird if it can be found again, so please post a message if anyone refinds it. Thanks. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: MCAS Pelagic - Sun, 19 Sept - Fort Bragg From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:25:17 -0700 (PDT) Please mark your calendars and make plans to join Mendocino Coast Audubon's next pelagic trip out of Fort Bragg's Noyo harbor.  Here are the details: DATE: Sunday, 19 September, 2010. COST: $110  (discount for Mendocino & Lake Co residents only $100). TIME: Now 8 hours. Meet at 7:00-am for 7:30 departure until 3:30-pm. PLACE: Parking lot at Silver's Wharf Restaurant, North Harbor Drive,              Fort Bragg.  Vessel will again be the Trek II. Our leaders for this trip will be John Sterling, Bob Keiffer & Rob Fowler! All three are "North American Birds" compilers for several N California counties.  We welcome their combined expertise to help identify the seabirds and ocean-going mammals we will see on this trip.  Pay by either check or credit card.  MAIL your check, payable to MCAS, for $110 (or $100 Lake or Mendo Co) to:  K Havlena - Pelagic       PO Box 40,  Fort Bragg, CA  95437 CREDIT CARD: Send an Email to me kahavlena AT yahoo.com  with your phone number and a good time for me to contact you.  Please commit as soon as possible; we will appreciate it!  (Your check will not be deposited until trip time).  Confirmations will be sent later.  Thanks!!! Karen Havlena Fort Bragg, MEN, California [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ten Mile Beach Ruddy Turnstones From: K A Havlena <kahavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:26:44 -0700 (PDT) Tues, 20 July 2010 -- Three RUDDY TURNSTONES and the continuing three SNOWY PLOVERS were on Ten Mile beach this morning.  The RUTU's ranged up and down the beach, getting pushed around by joggers and walkers.  The birds were generally with Black Turnstones, Sanderlings, Whimbrels and Western Sandpipers, and they were seen from close to Ward Ave up about a 1.5 miles north.  I added Willet, Spotted Sandpiper & both species of Turnstone to my list for this summer survey season. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Talamge (MEN Co.) Costa's Hummingbird continues From: Matt Brady <podoces AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:30:05 -0700 (PDT) Hello all. The COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD that has been frequenting Cherie Foster's house in Talmage (Mendocino County, for the county birders) showed well today, despite the heat of the afternoon. To get directions or updates to Cherie's house, give her a call at (707) 462-3339. She's very friendly, and completely accommodating. She also said that she's been having some Hooded Orioles coming around the feeders, though I did not see them. Matt Brady Potter Valley, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Digest Number 2074 From: Kate Marianchild <katem AT mcn.org> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:00:59 -0700 I am away and will be back on July 17. On Jul 14, 2010, at 8:15 AM, Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com wrote: [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Digest Number 2073 From: Kate Marianchild <katem AT mcn.org> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:50:07 -0700 I am away and will be back on July 17. On Jul 12, 2010, at 7:42 AM, Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com wrote: [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Shorebirds at Borax Lake From: Floyd Hayes <floyd_hayes AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:22:40 -0700 (PDT) Shorebirds are sporadically visiting Borax Lake in Lake County, which has excellent habitat--unlike Clear Lake, which has high water levels. On Thursday the 8th I photographed a partially-molted adult BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER as it circled the lake a couple of times. Unfortunately I did not see it land. I also flushed a CINNAMON or BLUE-WINGED TEAL. On Friday the 9th, Doug Weidemann and I tallied 3 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 110 WESTERN SANDPIPERS and 15 LEAST SANDPIPERS. However, yesterday the 13th we saw only about a dozen distant peeps. Subject: RE: More Snowy Plovers Re: Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey From: "Ron LeValley" <ron AT madriverbio.com> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:59:40 -0700 Hi Jeanne, It's likely that these are Sanderlings and/or Western Sandpipers. We haven't had several hundred Snowy Plovers in Northern California for at least a hundred years! But there might have been one or two among those shorebirds.. Yes, and we appreciate those Turkey Vultures! From: Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Rick & Jeanne Jackson Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:17 AM To: mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com; Karen Havlena Subject: More Snowy Plovers Re: [Mendobirds] Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey Tues, 13 July 2010. I just received a call that several hundred Snowy Plovers have arrived at the Brush Creek lagoon. This is in Manchester State Park. Unfortunately she also reported a dead Dolphin. The Turkey Vultures are doing their job. Jeanne Jackson, Anchor Bay ----- Original Message ----- From: Karen Havlena To: mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:26 PM Subject: [Mendobirds] Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey Tues, 13 July 2010 -- This morning, I saw my first SNOWY PLOVER of the season standing right by a pole holding the symbolic fence north of Ward Ave on Ten Mile beach. Shorebird numbers have increased quite a bit since last week. (Last Thursday, 7/8, Jim saw a MARBLED GODWIT at Inglenook Ck, but it has moved on). Other birds that I had: 2 Peregrine Falcons, 27 Whimbrels, 12 Sanderlings, 79 Western Sandpipers, 7 Least Sandpipers, 1 Caspian Tern, 5 Killdeer (3 were chicks), 3 Ospreys, 53 Heermann's Gulls, 24 Western Gulls, and 18 California Gulls. The Snowy Plovers should build well into the teens and twenties in August and September. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ---------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3003 - Release Date: 07/13/10 11:36:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More Snowy Plovers Re: Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey From: "Rick & Jeanne Jackson" <jackson2 AT mcn.org> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:17:15 -0700 Tues, 13 July 2010. I just received a call that several hundred Snowy Plovers have arrived at the Brush Creek lagoon. This is in Manchester State Park. Unfortunately she also reported a dead Dolphin. The Turkey Vultures are doing their job. Jeanne Jackson, Anchor Bay ----- Original Message ----- From: Karen Havlena To: mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 9:26 PM Subject: [Mendobirds] Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey Tues, 13 July 2010 -- This morning, I saw my first SNOWY PLOVER of the season standing right by a pole holding the symbolic fence north of Ward Ave on Ten Mile beach. Shorebird numbers have increased quite a bit since last week. (Last Thursday, 7/8, Jim saw a MARBLED GODWIT at Inglenook Ck, but it has moved on). Other birds that I had: 2 Peregrine Falcons, 27 Whimbrels, 12 Sanderlings, 79 Western Sandpipers, 7 Least Sandpipers, 1 Caspian Tern, 5 Killdeer (3 were chicks), 3 Ospreys, 53 Heermann's Gulls, 24 Western Gulls, and 18 California Gulls. The Snowy Plovers should build well into the teens and twenties in August and September. Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3003 - Release Date: 07/13/10 11:36:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Snowy Plover - Ten Mile Bch Survey From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:26:07 -0700 (PDT) Tues, 13 July 2010 -- This morning, I saw my first SNOWY PLOVER of the season standing right by a pole holding the symbolic fence north of Ward Ave on Ten Mile beach.  Shorebird numbers have increased quite a bit since last week. (Last Thursday, 7/8, Jim saw a MARBLED GODWIT at Inglenook Ck, but it has moved on). Other birds that I had: 2 Peregrine Falcons, 27 Whimbrels, 12 Sanderlings, 79 Western Sandpipers, 7 Least Sandpipers, 1 Caspian Tern, 5 Killdeer (3 were chicks), 3 Ospreys, 53 Heermann's Gulls, 24 Western Gulls, and 18 California Gulls. The Snowy Plovers should build well into the teens and twenties in August and September.  Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, CA  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Black-throated Green Warbler From: "richhubie" <richhubie AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:36:56 -0000 Sun Jul 11, 2010--"Toby" Tobkin and I went to Russian Gulch to try for the BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (a Mendocino first record) seen on the 2 previous days. We got there fairly early but still found Chuck Vaughn coming down the trail from his brief but successful viewing as we were going up. I heard the warbler even before we got to the correct spot (see previous postings). We caught up with Ruth Rudesill a Sonoma County birder who also heard it. The bird then went silent for sometime. Jim and Karen Havlena joined the group and with the sun coming out the warbler started singing again and all the group finally got fair looks at the bird. We all left a little after 11:00 AM. The warbler was always high in the trees so take a neck pillow with you if you're going to try it. Richard Hubacek Little River Subject: Indigo Bunting(s) update From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:10:43 -0700 Greetings Mendobirders- Ruth Rudesill of Sonoma County reports that the male INDIGO BUNTING continued along Commiskey Station Road yesterday (July 10). Ruth also saw a female INDIGO BUNTING in the same area. Ruth Rudesill ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: Re: Digest Number 2072 From: Kate Marianchild <katem AT mcn.org> Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:09:32 -0700 I am away and will be back on July 17. On Jul 11, 2010, at 7:51 AM, Mendobirds AT yahoogroups.com wrote: [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Continuing Black-throated Green Warbler/Russian Gulch SP From: Chuck & Barbara Vaughn <cevaughn AT pacific.net> Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:26:29 -0700 Greetings Mendobirders- Jerry and Nikki White refound the adult male Black-throated Green Warbler in Russian Gulch SP between 3:30 and 3:45 this afternoon. This is the same bird found yesterday at 1:30 pm by Matt Victoria as reported on Mendobirds earlier today. Jerry and Nikki suggest that the total walk in is closer to 1.5 to 1.75 miles and takes about 45 minutes leisurely walking. The bird was found at the first bridge above the fork in the trail, and is much easier heard than seen. Jerry and Nikki White ********************************* Chuck and Barbara Vaughn Ukiah, CA 95482 cevaughn AT pacific.net Subject: Ring-necked Pheasant in Downtown Caspar From: "Becky" <casparbeck AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:21:29 -0000 Win Bowen took a photo of a Ring-necked Pheasant that wandered into a Caspar neighborhood on the coast about 1 p.m. this afternoon. Subject: Mountain Birding From: "Rich T" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:17:51 -0000 09 July 2010 Covelo, M1, Spruce Grove Jim & Karen Havlena and I headed up to the mountains via Covelo and had a very successful outing. We met at Willits at 7a and drove to Covelo stopping along the way at the favorite bridge of the WHITE-THROATED SWIFT near Dos Rios on 162. The first swift was seen within a couple minutes and at least 2 birds were present. We then headed up towards the mountains stopping along the way to check for CANYON WREN along the middle fork of the EEL River near the Eel River Campground. And, just as Jerry reported, we heard a single bird calling to the north across the river from the end of the trail. It took about 15 minutes to finally hear the bird. Our first stop on the way up M1 was prompted by a small bird flitting across the road. It ended up being unidentifiable but we did find a DUSKY FLYCATCHER right next to the road. We continued on up and again stopped for a flying bird that ended up being the first of several WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKERS. Also, on our way up we saw and heard at least 2 GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES. At Spruce Grove Campground we finally saw and heard MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES which were unusually scarce on the way up. Around the campground area we saw 2 TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES, a CASSIN'S FINCH, a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, and 2 HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS. WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKERS were common and active at the campground. On our way down we were stoked to have a young (first or second year probably) Black Bear directly in front of us in the middle of the road. Evidently Jerry doesn't have exclusivity on bear adventures and, unlike Jerry, we were not intimidated as we neared the bear. OK, we were in a car. Whatever. Good Birding, Rich and Karen and Jim Subject: Indigo Bunting Continues From: "Rich T" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:35:19 -0000 09 July 2010 South of Hopland The Indigo Bunting was still at his favorite spot at 6:45p. Good Birding, Rich Trissel Gualala Subject: Continuing Costa's From: "Rich T" <rich_trissel AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:33:47 -0000 09 July 2010 Talmage I saw the Costa's Hummingbird yesterday evening at the Foster's at 5:45p. Good Birding, Rich Trissel Gualala Subject: Costa's Hummingbird From: "Jerry White" <white-jerry AT att.net> Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 15:47:40 -0700 I saw the COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD this morning at the Foster's home in the Talmage area. There was also an adult male Rufous Hummingbird and one of their resident Hooded Orioles. Jerry White [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fwd: COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD From: George Chaniot <chaniot AT pacific.net> Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:18:16 -0700 Today, July 5, at about 8 a.m. I found an adult male COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD sitting on our clothesline. He has spent the day here. I am hoping this is the same bird that spent 2 months here last summer and that he will stay around this year. Anyone wishing to see a Costa's in Mendocino county may call to see if he has stayed around. Cherie Foster 462-3339 / cherstuff AT hotmail.com / Talmage area. Subject: Sat & Sun -- Bald Eagle at Ten Mile River From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 13:44:54 -0700 (PDT) Sat/Sun, 3 & 4 July 2010 -- Yesterday and today, an adult BALD EAGLE is east of the bridge at Ten Mile River.  It is perching low on snags in the river.  I saw it both yesterday (sorry) and today.  Dorothy Tobkin came up and saw it today, as well.  She said she could see it clutching "arrows in its talons" and I said it was wearing a red, white & blue scarf......... Happy 4th !! Also, there are two CEDAR WAXWINGS west of the bridge near the large sign about the dunes and Inglenook Fen.  They were first seen Monday, 28 JUNE and Tues, 29 June by both Becky Bowen and myself.  Odd spot. Karen Havlena, Dorothy Tobkin & Becky Bowen North of Fort Bragg, MEN,  CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ind Bunting From: John Luther <aplomado-falcon AT att.net> Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 11:45:33 -0700 (PDT) Hi All, Just returned from a wonderful 9 days in Canadian Rockies with grandson and family so today (July 4) was my first chance to look for blue (I know today I should have been looking for red, white and blue) in Mendo.  The bird did not disappoint me.  It took me about 15 minutes, but at 8:35 AM I finally found the male Indigo Bunting near the end of Commisky Station Road off highway 101 as reported by others.  It was on the west side of the dirt road in the large willow just north of the cable that crosses the river.  This is the closest point in Mendocino Co from my home - nice find by Dan Nelson! John Luther Oakland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]