Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Monterey Bay > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, February 9 at 11:18 AM EST The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Canada Warbler,©Douglas Pratt

9 Feb San Benito County [] 8 Feb Re: Monterey yellow-billed loon [Richard J Norton ] 8 Feb Further Clarification on the Arboretum's wintering Selasphorus [] 8 Feb local gulls ["Jeff Poklen" ] 8 Feb Early February birds - mostly Capitola to Seacliff area [David Suddjian ] 8 Feb Golden Gate Gulls this weekend? Rideshare? [waxwingboheme ] 8 Feb Fw: B&W @ Antonelli Pond ["Clifford Bixler" ] 8 Feb Re: B&W @ Antonelli Pond ["Clifford Bixler" ] 8 Feb Re: B&W in Capitola [David Suddjian ] 8 Feb Saturday Trip for Los Banos [] 7 Feb Arboretum wintering Rufous- photos and notes [] 7 Feb Fw: Action Alert: Support Bird-Smart Wind Development Petition [chris hartzell ] 7 Feb West Santa Cruz Birds [] 07 Feb recent fake message [Todd Newberry ] 7 Feb Brown Creepers [] 7 Feb binoculars [Shantanu Phukan ] 6 Feb Lewis's Woodpecker and others - Panoche Valley [Joe Yuhas ] 6 Feb B&W in Capitola ["Sharon Hull" ] 06 Feb Wht-thr Sparrows continue [Todd Newberry ] 6 Feb Re: Recent Santa Cruz Birds [Paul Van Loan ] 6 Feb j.fobbs [Michael Geneau ] 6 Feb j.fobbs [Michael Geneau ] 6 Feb SCBC Trip to Panoche Valley [Clay Kempf ] 5 Feb Lewis's Woodpecker in Panoche Valley today ["Sharon Hull" ] 5 Feb Allen's return [jeff bleam ] 5 Feb Allen's return [jeff bleam ] 5 Feb Paicines Reservoir, Panoche Valley, Griswold Hills, Panoche Hills [Matthew Dodder ] 4 Feb Re: Monterey yellow-billed loon [Don Roberson ] 4 Feb Recent Santa Cruz Birds [] 4 Feb Geese at Rio del Mar ["Jeff Poklen" ] 4 Feb Belted kingfisher ["Kellie D. Morgantini" ] 28 Dec Yellow-billed Loon today? [Mary Kenney ] 4 Feb Watsonville Sloughs [] 3 Feb Re: chickadees and nesting material [David Suddjian ] 3 Feb chickadees and nesting material ["Sharon Hull" ] 3 Feb Monterey yellow-billed loon ["Glasco, Don" ] 3 Feb Re: College Lake and San Lorenzo Lesser Yellowlegs [] 2 Feb College Lake and San Lorenzo Lesser Yellowlegs [richard lange ] 2 Feb Lesser Yellowlegs [richard lange ] 2 Feb Snow and Ross's Geese Nelson Samuels [] 2 Feb Osprey in Odello [Rick Berg ] 2 Feb Yellow-billed Loon? [Lisa Larson ] 2 Feb San Lorenzo [Phil Brown ] 31 Jan Fascinating Ferruginous Hawk [Laurie Graham ] 1 Feb Re: Directions YBLoon [] 1 Feb Yellow-Billed Loon and others Nelson Samuels [] 1 Feb Re: Swainson's Hawk [David Suddjian ] 1 Feb Directions YBLoon ["Clifford Bixler" ] 1 Feb Re: Swainson's Hawk [Lise Peterson ] 1 Feb Natural Bridges [Phil Brown ] 1 Feb Yellow Billed Loon ["Clifford Bixler" ] 31 Jan YB Loon, RB Mergansers, marbled murrelet [Rick Berg ] 31 Jan Yellow-billed Loon ["Bill Hill" ] 31 Jan Two Bald Eagles @ Pinto Lake, 1/31 @ 11 AM [Bernadette Ramer ] 31 Jan Re: Geese, Plumbeous, and miscellaneous [Lise Peterson ] 30 Jan Lake San Antonio [Greg Meyer ] 30 Jan Lake San Antonio [Greg Meyer ] 30 Jan Lake San Antonio [Greg Meyer ] 30 Jan Hooded Oriole Photo [waxwingboheme ] 30 Jan Request for a friend re SCBC Panoche trip on 2/4 [Earl ] 30 Jan Allen's hummingbird [kathy kuyper ] 30 Jan Re: Early Migration? [Paul Stevens ] 30 Jan test [Greg Meyer ] 30 Jan Re: Early Migration [David Suddjian ] 29 Jan Re: Early Migration [chris hartzell ] 29 Jan Early Migration [Bob LaPointe ] 29 Jan Ramsay Park--Hooded Oriole, etc [John Garrett ] 29 Jan San Benito County Today: We Have Incubation! [Debra Shearwater ] 29 Jan Ano Nuevo. strange locations ["Glasco, Don" ] 29 Jan Allen Hummingbird [] 29 Jan Re: Early Migration? [David Suddjian ] 29 Jan Cedar Waxwings galore [] 29 Jan Re: Early Migration? [Chuq Von Rospach ] 29 Jan Re: Early Migration? [chris hartzell ] 29 Jan [Fwd: photolink] Nelson Samuels [] 29 Jan Re: Early Migration? [Chuq Von Rospach ] Subject: San Benito County From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:08:18 -0500 (EST) Yesterday Mary Crouser, Rich Griffith, Margaret Perham and I visited several spots in San Benito County. Fremont Peak was very active in the late morning. The campground and parking area were busy with good numbers of expected species like WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, ACORN WOODPECKERS and others. On the south slope of the peak (within Monterey County) a GOLDEN EAGLE flew by, and we had good views of two ROCK WRENS and at least three RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS. Paicines Reservoir was fairly quiet in the early afternoon, with less waterfowl than usual, but one LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH did fly by. Santa Ana Valley Road continued to be good for various raptors. The intersection of Quien Sabe and Santa Ana Valley Roads was especially busy, with two BALD EAGLES (a 3rd-year bird and an adult), at least 3 GOLDEN EAGLES, two FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (a dark morph and a light morph adult, soaring together for a while), plus multiple Red-tailed Hawks, Am. Kestrels, Turkey Vultures, etc. Farther north on Santa Ana Valley Road there was a pair of CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS foraging from a fence line across from an eucalyptus grove, (very roughly) two to two and a half miles southeast of the intersection with Fairview Road. Steve Gerow Santa Cruz_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Monterey yellow-billed loon From: Richard J Norton <richardjnorton AT dslextreme.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 19:44:26 -0800 Today, Wednesday at 4:30 PM, the Yellow-billed Loon was slightly offshore, about 500 feet south of the southern edge of the Best Western Beach Resort Hotel in Seaside (foot of Canyon del Rey). I did not see it yesterday afternoon in spite of 2 hours of searching. There was a Long-tailed Duck today, off the end of Bay Avenue in Seaside. Yesterday, it, or another Long-tailed Duck was just slightly north of the Best Western Hotel. Dick Norton Topanga, CA On Sat, Feb 4, 2012 at 7:13 PM, Don Roberson wrote: > Monterey's Yellow-billed Loon has moved. Yesterday morning Tom Edell & Maggie Smith found it a half-mile north along Del Monte beach (not in Wharf area at all, which I and others checked off and on much of the day yesterday) and then in late afternoon I saw what was likely it well offshore the Best Western Beach Resort Hotel in Seaside (foot of Canyon del Rey). Rita and I went to the Best Western hotel this a.m., and found the YBLO offshore there at 11 a.m.  But noon it had come to the surf-line and Bill Bouton and I photographed it extensively. These and other photos are not up on the Monterey highlights page at > http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/MTY_2012a.html > > In that same area I counted 131 White-winged Scoters yesterday (lots today but not as many), and I had 4 Long-tailed Ducks north of the Hotel in Seaside. > > At the same time I was taking the YBLO photos posted above, I note it was reported back at Del Monte beach. I would be very interested in seeing any photos from there today or yesterday. I suspect that an ivory-billed Common Loon is causing confusion, but maybe there are two birds? Photos would be helpful. > > Thanks, Don > > Don Roberson > Pacific Grove CA > http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > mbb mailing list > mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu > http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Further Clarification on the Arboretum's wintering Selasphorus From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 22:39:57 -0500 (EST) Hummingbird bander Rita Colwell sent an interesting note regarding the two Selasphorus hummingbirds that wintered at the UCSC Arboretum. Based on her experience over many years of hummingbird banding, the shape of R2 (the second tail feather from the center) is more variable than is suggested by various books in Allen's and Rufous Hummingbirds with juvenile tail feathers. She notes that some young male Allen's can show an indented R2 and that the degree of indentation in young Rufous is also variable. She also notes that the relevant indentation for immature Selasphorus is on the outer web of the feather. So while the bird lacking an extensive gorget seems to be pretty definitely a Rufous, based on the incoming coloration of the upper back, among other things, the shape of R2 as is visible in the photos seems not to be definitive evidence that the bird with a colorful gorget is a Rufous, though it may be, and other evidence perhaps is suggestive of that. I've pasted Rita Colwells notes below, for those interested. Steve Gerow Hi Steve,I read with interest your analysis (Sialia, 2-7) of theSelasphorus males that are overwintering in the Arboretum. I am a long-time hummingbird bander (20+ years) with considerable experience with Rufous and Allen’s at various sites. Most recently I finished up a 5 yearbanding project in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Scotts Valley where we caught and banded mostly Anna’s, but a respectable number of ALHU and a smattering of RUHU. As a result of my multiple years in the field I have a decent record of in-hand photos ofhummingbirds of known species showing some of the salient ID features. The reason why I am writing this is because, though you may be correct in your suggestion that both individuals are RUHU, I would like to caution people on the use of the R2 indentation on juvenile plumage birds as a solid identification character in all instances. Ihave seen slight indentation on the immature R2 of hatching year male ALHU. This is a characteristic we record on the datasheet whenever we have ALHU or RUHU in-hand, adult, young,male, female. I have attached oneof my photos showing this, though I have seen stronger examples. Indeed, the amount of indentation isvariable in juvenile-plumaged ALHU and RUHU and I have attached two photos ofRUHU, one with less and the other with a substantial indentation on R2. One other point I would like to mention and that is the side of the feather that the indentation is on. For me, it is difficult to tell for sure from the photo, but the indentation on the first photo of the gorgetted bird looks to be on theinner web of the feather. If you look at my photos of RUHU (even the ALHU) you will see that the indent should be on the outer web of the R2. AsI said, it is tough for me to be sure, the tail is twisted around, but whichside of the feather the indent is on is standard for both species and should beon the outer web. The adult male RUHU, as you know, has a huge notch on the inner web and a lesser notch on theouter web of R2. As for the reasonwhy the feather looks this way on the first bird, I can only suggest that itmay be an artifact: though the barbs of the feather usually adhere to each other flatly, occasionally they can misalign causing an uneven margin. I hope I have clarified this characteristic. Being able to examine birds in-hand is a special thing; I appreciate the opportunities I have had to do so over the years and the information I have gleaned from it.Thanks,Rita ColwellHY male ALHUHY male RUHU #1 (R2 is fourth feather from left--weak indent)HY male RUHU #2--strong indent _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: local gulls From: "Jeff Poklen" <jpkln AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 18:57:01 -0800 I dropped by Capitola beach and Rio del Mar yesterday to check out the gulls. There weren’t many but I did find two Thayer’s. http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/highlights (top row only) Jeff Poklen Santa Cruz_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Early February birds - mostly Capitola to Seacliff area From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 20:08:18 -0500 (EST) February 1 A NASHVILLE WARBLER was along Noble Gulch beside St. Joseph's Church. 102 SNOWY PLOVERS were at Seabright SB close to the harbor. February 6 A dawn watch for commuting AMERICAN CROWS at Porter-Sesnon tallied 442 flying west in the flight from College Lake. 12 COMMON RAVENS flew east. A GREATER-WHITE FRONTED GOOSE and CACKLING GOOSE flew over from the bay shortly after sunrise and dropped down at Cabrillo College. These were the same that have been wintering at Aptos Creek mouth. I have seen them do this early morning movement several times and suspect that most days they go over to the athletic fields at Cabrillo to feed. A nice flock of about 200 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS gathered in the eucalyptus on the bluff above Pot Belly Beach (Porter-Sesnon). February 7 Capitola Beach had 1 SURFBIRD with turnstones, a species that has mostly been missing at this site in the last few winters. A MERLIN flew over my home, looking spectacular as it maneuvered masterfully in the strong storm winds. I finally went over to Cabrillo to look for the GR. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and CACKLING GOOSE, and sure enough they were feeding on the grass on the field between the football stadium and baseball fields. The male WRENTIT continued at Noble Gulch near St. Joseph's Church...a one week interval between detections. February 8 A 1st cycle GLAUCOUS GULL and 1st cycle BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE were highlights in the gull flock early this morning at Aptos Creek mouth. A female BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was at Peery Park along Soquel Creek. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continues in my yard. BAND-TAILED PIGEONS continued to occur daily in my neighborhood, with a flock of 30 at my yard today. David Suddjian Capitola _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Golden Gate Gulls this weekend? Rideshare? From: waxwingboheme <waxwingboheme AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:37:13 -0800 Howdy all, John Garrett and I are interested in studying gulls at the Fort Baker herring roe/Larid Fest bonanza in Marin/SF county on Saturday. Anyone driving up? If so, do you have space for two more passengers - I can chip in for gas. It would have to be after 12:00. Appreciatively, Christian Schwarz_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Fw: B&W @ Antonelli Pond From: "Clifford Bixler" <clifford.bixler AT att.net> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 18:11:53 +0000 To clarify B&W location: Walk in from Delaware on the west side of pond about 100 yards. Small redwood tree inside the willows to the right of the trail. Bird was foraging in the willow to the left (north) of the small redwood. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: "Clifford Bixler" Sender: mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 17:57:18 To: David Suddjian; ; MBB Reply-To: clifford.bixler AT att.net Subject: Re: [MBB] B&W AT Antonelli Pond Phil and I had a B&W warbler in the willows next to a small redwood tree on the west side of the pond, courtesy of a young woman birder from Washington (originally). Also 4 Cinnamon Teal and a Hooded Merganser. Cliff Bixler Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: David Suddjian Sender: mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:52:41 To: Subject: Re: [MBB] B&W in Capitola Sharon's BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was easy to find this morning just before 9:00 in the same area where she had it on 2/6. It was foraging in coast live oaks on the creek side of Capitola Road where it joins with both Wharf Road and Lincoln's Avenue. This is close to a large wooden sign reading directing one to the Shadowbrook Restaurant. David Suddjian Capitola -----Original Message----- From: Sharon Hull To: 'MBB' Sent: Mon, Feb 6, 2012 4:08 pm Subject: [MBB] B&W in Capitola Around 11:30 this morning, while walking along Wharf Road inCapitola, at the intersection with Lincoln Ave. I watched a small flock of passerines workingthe trees and brush on the downhill/creek side.  Among the expectedspecies was one BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. Sharon HullAptos_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: B&W @ Antonelli Pond From: "Clifford Bixler" <clifford.bixler AT att.net> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 17:57:18 +0000 Phil and I had a B&W warbler in the willows next to a small redwood tree on the west side of the pond, courtesy of a young woman birder from Washington (originally). Also 4 Cinnamon Teal and a Hooded Merganser. Cliff Bixler Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: David Suddjian Sender: mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:52:41 To: Subject: Re: [MBB] B&W in Capitola Sharon's BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was easy to find this morning just before 9:00 in the same area where she had it on 2/6. It was foraging in coast live oaks on the creek side of Capitola Road where it joins with both Wharf Road and Lincoln's Avenue. This is close to a large wooden sign reading directing one to the Shadowbrook Restaurant. David Suddjian Capitola -----Original Message----- From: Sharon Hull To: 'MBB' Sent: Mon, Feb 6, 2012 4:08 pm Subject: [MBB] B&W in Capitola Around 11:30 this morning, while walking along Wharf Road inCapitola, at the intersection with Lincoln Ave. I watched a small flock of passerines workingthe trees and brush on the downhill/creek side.  Among the expectedspecies was one BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. Sharon HullAptos_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: B&W in Capitola From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:52:41 -0500 (EST) Sharon's BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was easy to find this morning just before 9:00 in the same area where she had it on 2/6. It was foraging in coast live oaks on the creek side of Capitola Road where it joins with both Wharf Road and Lincoln's Avenue. This is close to a large wooden sign reading directing one to the Shadowbrook Restaurant. David Suddjian Capitola -----Original Message----- From: Sharon Hull To: 'MBB' Sent: Mon, Feb 6, 2012 4:08 pm Subject: [MBB] B&W in Capitola Around 11:30 this morning, while walking along Wharf Road inCapitola, at the intersection with Lincoln Ave. I watched a small flock of passerines workingthe trees and brush on the downhill/creek side.  Among the expectedspecies was one BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. Sharon HullAptos_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Saturday Trip for Los Banos From: lammergeiereyes AT aol.com Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:31:41 -0500 (EST) For those interested there's still time to join Monterey Audubon's beloved winter trip to the wetlands of Los Banos NWFs on February 11. Contact leaders Robert Horn at 372-4608 and Vitaly # 375-3906 for more information. These refuges host the largest wintering populations of lesser Sandhill Cranes and Ross' geesealong the Pacific Flyway. Each fall approximately 20,000 cranes and 60,000 arctic nesting geeseterminate their annual migrations from Alaskaand Canada tomake the refuge home. Numerous other species of birds, mammals, amphibians andreptiles live in this habit and viewing them can be a most memorableexperience. Call leaders to reserve space and get details of the itinerary. Somemay camp or stay overnight at local motels for the Panoche Valley portion of this trip. Blake T. Matheson President, Monterey Audubon Society http://www.flickr.com/photos/34328261 AT N02/sets/ "Men still live who, in their youth, remember Passenger Pigeons. Trees still live who, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a decade hence only the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last only the hills will know." Leopold (1949). _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Arboretum wintering Rufous- photos and notes From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 23:56:55 -0500 (EST) For those who are interested, I have put together a gallery of some of Wendy Naruos photos of the two Selasphorous hummingbirds that wintered at the UCSC Arboretum, along with some notes as to why I am convinced they are both Rufous Hummingbirds. The gallery is here: https://picasaweb.google.com/steve.gerow/UCSCWinteringRufous1303112PhotosByWendyNaruo# Steve Gerow_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Fw: Action Alert: Support Bird-Smart Wind Development Petition From: chris hartzell <c.hartzell AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 18:44:38 -0800 (PST) I am forwarding this message and choosing MBB vs. MBB Off-Topic as this absolutely impacts all MBBers and we need absolute full support on this drive. Currently, a study of less than 50% of the active wind turbines kills in excess of 300,000 birds each year. There are plans in the works to expand wind power by an additional 500% within 10-15 years and other countries are following the U.S. lead, including current plans for a 5,000 acre wind farm in Chile's offshore bird migration route. Please take a moment and familiarize yourself with this issue and sign the petition. This issue affects ALL of us. Now is the time to take action with the open public comment period. Chris Hartzell Monterey Audubon Society Vice President To: All Activists From: Steve Holmer Date: February 7, 2012 Action Alert: Support Bird-Smart Wind Development Petition American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has petitioned the U.S. Department of the Interior to protect millions of birds from the negative impacts of wind energy by developing regulations that will safeguard wildlife and reward responsible wind energy development. The more than 100-page petition for rulemaking, prepared by ABC and the Washington, D.C.-based public interest law firm of Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, calls for establishing a mandatory permitting system for the operation of wind energy projects and mitigation of their impacts on migratory birds. Now we are asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to open a public comment period so that the public can weigh in. Please go to http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5400/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9510 to send your comment. Background The government estimates that approximately 440,000 birds are currently killed each year by collisions with wind turbines. The massive expansion of wind power in the United States will likely result in the deaths of more than one million birds each year by 2030. Wind energy projects are also expected to adversely impact almost 20,000 square miles of wildlife habitat. ABC filed the petition because it is clear that the voluntary guidelines the government has drafted will neither protect birds adequately nor give the wind industry the regulatory certainty it has been asking for. Voluntary guidelines have been in place since 2003, and yet preventable bird deaths at wind farms keep occurring. This includes thousands of Golden Eagles that have died at Altamont Pass in California and recent mass mortality events that killed more than 500 songbirds in West Virginia. The petition is available online at: http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/collisions/pdf/wind_rulemaking_petition.pdf ABC supports wind power when it is bird-smart. ABC’s petition seeks to bring wind power into harmony with the law, as well as with the needs of the migratory bird species that the law is designed to safeguard. The petition states that properly sited and operated wind energy projects may be an important part of the solution to climate change, a phenomenon that poses an unprecedented threat to species and ecosystems. However, poorly sited and operated wind projects pose a serious threat to birds, including birds of prey such as Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, hawks, and owls; endangered and threatened species, such as the California Condor and Whooping Crane; and species of special conservation concern, such as the Bicknell’s Thrush, Cerulean Warbler, Tricolored Blackbird, Sprague’s Pipit, and Long-billed Curlew. ABC’s petition proposes a model rule that would allow the government to consider impacts of wind farms on all bird species, as well as bats and other wildlife. This proposal contrasts sharply with the voluntary guidelines that allow the industry to police itself and continue to disregard harm to birds and other wildlife._______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: West Santa Cruz Birds From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:14:25 -0500 (EST) Yesterday (Feb. 6) a MERLIN showing characteristics of the pale subspecies richardsonii (Prairie Merlin) was at Natural Bridges, perched in a pine tree in the northeast part of the park just east of the service road gate at Delaware Avenue. This subspecies is generally rare in the area, but one or two of these have turned up around Santa Cruz annually for the past few years (perhaps, at least in part, the same birds returning to the same wintering spots?), Some photos are here: https://picasaweb.google.com/steve.gerow/JanuaryFebruary2012 At Antonelli Pond, there was still one SWAMP SPARROW around, but it was in a different spot than I have found them earlier, farther south of the railroad trestle where the open water first meets the marsh vegetation, near where the stand of dried cat-tails meets the stand of green tules. The HOODED MERGANSER was also still there, and there were also three CINNAMON TEAL swimming in the pond. On Natural Bridges Beach a pair of large CANADA GEESE were sitting on the Natural Bridges among the gulls and cormorants. A pair of MARBLED MURRELETS were off West Cliff Drive near Getchell St. Steve Gerow Santa Cruz_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: recent fake message From: Todd Newberry <taxa AT ucsc.edu> Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:59:49 -0800 MBB'ers -- Re a recent ersatz message from Michael Geneau: he reports that he believes he has cleared up the matter (which caught him off-guard, too) and that the link, if you went there, apparently is virus-free (just spam). Amazing, how rarely stuff gets through the UCSC/MBB filters. Todd Newberry MBB listowner (or janitor) _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Brown Creepers From: cotopaxihigh AT comcast.net Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 18:56:34 +0000 (UTC) This morning my son & I observed a pair of BROWN CREEPERS calling to each other as they worked the bark of a Redwood tree.  I have never found a nest but I keep hoping!!  Barb Scharfenstein , near Scotts Valley Ca. _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: binoculars From: Shantanu Phukan <phukan AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 05:30:25 -0800 (GMT-08:00) Dear Friends: I am looking to buy a pair of used, but in good-shape, binoculars and thought I might begin by asking if any of you have a pair you would like to sell. The bins should be on the lighter side, so this will probably eliminate 10 power bins. I am happy with 8 power glasses with a wide field of view (for honing in on warblers, chikadees etc.). Please reply directly to me if you have a pair to sell. thanks Shantanu Shantanu Phukan Santa Cruz/San Jose _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Lewis's Woodpecker and others - Panoche Valley From: Joe Yuhas <joseph.yuhas AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:23:13 -0800 Hey Birders, Sorry for the late post. Yesterday (2/5), Sharon Hull, Pam Meyers, Tom Takano, and I birded Paicines Reservoir, Panoche Valley, all the spots between. As Sharon mentioned, she spotted the LEWIS'S WOODPECKER near Willow Springs Ranch. This was the highlight of the day, and for me, probably the year! It was a lifer for me and one I've been wanting to see for a while. Pam would agree... Woodpeckers rule! Hehe. We all got great looks including some other birders who stopped to see what we were looking at. What an amazingly beautiful and unique bird! At Paicines Reservoir, we saw one adult BALD EAGLE as well as some TREE SWALLOWS. Along Panoche Road on the way to the valley, we had many goodies. As far as woodpeckers go, we saw/heard a couple of RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS and NUTTALL'S WOODPECKERS. Near the intersection of Browns Valley Road, Tom found us 4 BARN OWLS, which was my other lifer for the day. And in the same area, a juvy light FERRUGINOUS HAWK circled low right over us giving us a nice show while staring us down. We also had some beautiful WESTERN BLUEBIRDS along the way. Near mile marker 6.71, we found a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH and a ROCK WREN who had confused a barn for some rocks apparently. Not too far down the road though, a GREATER ROADRUNNER did live up to its name and skirted across the road in front of the car. At the Miller Ranch, a flock of 15 to 20 CEDAR WAXWINGS were hanging out, as well as one beaut of a male PHAINOPEPLA at eye level. A mile or so later, Pam found us our group of about 8 WILD TURKEYS for the day. And near mile marker 17.86, Pam and Sharon located 2 RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS. In addition to the Lewis's Woodpecker near Willow Springs Ranch, Tom got us on a bobcat on the other side of the road. Very cool! A mammal lifer for me. In the valley proper, we had another FERRUGINOUS HAWK and a handful of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS. However, we missed Prairie Falcon and Mountain Plover. On the way home, we took Quien Sabe Road and picked up our total of 6 GOLDEN EAGLES for the day, but it was really cool to see five of them at one time. The previous times I've gone to Panoche with them, we've kept tally of Red-tails and Kestrels, just for fun. By the end of the day, Red-tails totalled 30, but Kestrels beat them out with 32! Thanks again to all for the the fun day! Take it easy, Joe -- Joe Yuhas 610.730.6845 Assistant Brewer Boulder Creek Brewery _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: B&W in Capitola From: "Sharon Hull" <plants AT cruzio.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:08:04 -0800 Around 11:30 this morning, while walking along Wharf Road in Capitola, at the intersection with Lincoln Ave. I watched a small flock of passerines working the trees and brush on the downhill/creek side. Among the expected species was one BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. Sharon Hull Aptos _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Wht-thr Sparrows continue From: Todd Newberry <taxa AT ucsc.edu> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:37:37 -0800 Two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS continue to feed together on grain tossed next to the Spring St driveway at 719 High St, SC. Todd Newberry Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Recent Santa Cruz Birds From: Paul Van Loan <pvanloan AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 10:50:56 -0800 Steve, The two Canada Geese to which you refer (Feb.2 sighting) have become regular if brief visitors to Neary Lagoon every spring and fall for the past three years. They always announce their arrival and departure with loud honking, and come back at odd intervals for a few days. On Wednesday, Feb.1, here at Neary, they attracted my attention as I was having breakfast, about 8 a.m., and then they left. But imagine my surprise when I arrived at Younger Lagoon one hour later for my stint as Docent at the Seymour Center) and there they were, waiting for me, swimming placidly! Paul Van Loan On Sat, Feb 4, 2012 at 4:48 PM, wrote: > A few miscellaneous observations that I didn't get around to reporting > over the last week: > Jan. 28- Four MARBLED MURRELETS were fairly close to shore off West Cliff > Drive near the outer rock off Columbia Street. Also that day two TREE > SWALLOWS flew over Lighthouse Field, my first this season in the immediate > Santa Cruz area. > Jan. 29- There were still two CINNAMON TEAL in the sewage treatment plant > tanks next to Neary Lagoon. > Jan 30- At the UCSC Arboretum, Wendy Naruo and I found the two wintering > immature male Selasphorus hummingbirds to be still present, and still > defending the same territories. I am now convinced that both of these are > RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS (and one is starting to turn rufous on its upper back) > I'll present more details regarding the identification later, in a separate > email. (Wendy also returned on Jan 31 and found them still in the same > spot, and obtained a great series of close photos). Also on the 30th, we > found the continuing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE near the north end of the slope > north of the Arboretum and just west of Moore Creek. > Feb. 1- A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was at Natural Bridges, foraging in > coffeeberry bushes near the lone bench at the start of the trail down to > lower Moore Creek. I assume this is the same bird that was nearby on > January 6. > Feb. 2- Two large CANADA GEESE flew westward over Walk Circle in the late > afternoon. These were my first in the Santa Cruz city limits since late > May of last year. Looking at my eBird records for the last few years, > there seems to be a pattern where the introduced-type Canadas become rather > regular around Santa Cruz in late winter and spring (mostly February to > May), but are scarce or absent the rest of the year. > Steve Gerow > Santa Cruz > > _______________________________________________ > mbb mailing list > mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu > http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb > >_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: j.fobbs From: Michael Geneau <michaelgeneau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 04:51:37 -0800 (PST) How are you feeling today? http://cell-net.net/hnrio.php?yvatheme=45 Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:51:36 _________________________________ "But he saw at once, by his grandmothers pleasant-looking face, that she was not going to find any fault with him." (c) Fernham weiyang _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: j.fobbs From: Michael Geneau <michaelgeneau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 04:51:37 -0800 (PST) How are you feeling today? http://cell-net.net/hnrio.php?yvatheme=45 Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:51:36 _________________________________ "But he saw at once, by his grandmothers pleasant-looking face, that she was not going to find any fault with him." (c) Fernham weiyang _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: SCBC Trip to Panoche Valley From: Clay Kempf <ltjaeger AT att.net> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:37:58 -0800 On Saturday, about 25 birders joined the Santa Cruz Bird Club trip to Panoche Valley & Tres Pińos Canyon. Highlights included two Bald Eagles at Paicines; Golden Eagle and White-throated Swifts at Falcon Rock, along with a very cooperative California Thrasher and a couple of White-tailed Kites. A Phainopepla happily perched on top of an oak was a life bird for a couple of participants; and some outstanding looks at Rufous-crowned Sparrow was a nice treat in the wiggle tail area. Only one Hooded Merganser remained at Summit Pond, although American Coot numbers remained around a dozen. A very dark Merlin showing some characteristics of the suckleyi race was near the Panoche Inn. Additional Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcon, light and dark morph Ferruginous Hawks continued to delight our group. A couple of Vesper Sparrows (seen mainly by the front cars in the caravan) were along Recalde Rd. and several dozen Mountain Bluebirds spread throughout the valley floor. We whiffed on Mountain Plovers despite extensive scanning near Silver Creek Ranch and in other areas with enticing habitat. After stopping at Mercy Hot Springs for Long-eared Owls, our group broke up and headed in different directions. One lucky car full of birders spotted 12-15 Chukars in Shotgun Pass on their way back to the valley. A couple of cars of birders were able to find the Lark Bunting that has been seen in recent months about 5 miles east of Mercy Hot Springs, although it wasn't easy. The Bunting contines to association with a large flock of Lark Sparrows. Burrowing Owl was spotted near the cattle pens between Mercy Hot Springs and Shotgun Pass, and Barn and Great Horned Owl were seen during the drive back to Paicines. Thanks to everyone who came on the trip for a fun day- Clay Kempf Save Panoche Valley _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Lewis's Woodpecker in Panoche Valley today From: "Sharon Hull" <plants AT cruzio.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 18:28:49 -0800 Today Pam Myers, Tommy Takano, Joe Yuhas and I birded Panoche Valley. It was a very exciting day with many wonderful species seen, which Joe will post in more detail tonight or tomorrow. But in case anyone is planning on heading out to the Valley tomorrow, we wanted to post this now: we found a LEWIS'S WOODPECKER a few hundred feet west of the Willow Springs Ranch entry sign. We first spotted it on the power pole on the north side of the road, then it flew to the top area of the giant oak behind the pole, where it stayed in good view for long enough for us to fully admire it - and to take many photos. When we drove back by the site several hours later, the bird was still in the same area. Since Lewis's have apparently been absent from the Valley for the last two winters, we thought this might be news worth sharing promptly. Sharon Hull Aptos _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Allen's return From: jeff bleam <jbleam AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 13:51:16 -0800 (PST) A female Allen's hummingbird showed up yesterday at my feeder about 5 miles north of Boulder Creek.   Jeff_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Allen's return From: jeff bleam <jbleam AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 13:51:16 -0800 (PST) A female Allen's hummingbird showed up yesterday at my feeder about 5 miles north of Boulder Creek.   Jeff_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Paicines Reservoir, Panoche Valley, Griswold Hills, Panoche Hills From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 08:57:16 -0800 All, I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding class on the Panoche Valley route again yesterday. Highlights were much the same as the week before, with a few differences. Most exciting was dark and light morph Ferruginous Hawk, better looks at Sage Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Vesper Sparrow and two Greater Roadrunners. Bald Eagles weren't bad either. Matthew Dodder PAICINES RESERVOIR Bald Eagle (two adults) Ring-necked Duck Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Clark's Grebe Spotted Sandpiper GRAVES RANCH (creek crosses road with large earth wall on left): Canyon Wren EAGLES NEST: Golden Eagle pair OAK AREAS (ranch on left, long wide turn out on right) Greater Roadrunner Phainopepla SUMMIT POND Hooded Merganser Prairie Falcon CREEK CROSSING at CONCRETE SLAB Rufous-crowned Sparrow RED FENCED ENCLOSURES (on both sides of road before Panoche Inn) Vesper Sparrow Ferruginous Hawk (light morph) PANOCHE ROAD (near school) Ferruginous Hawk (dark morph) SILVER CREEK Mountain Bluebird Horned Lark Tricolored Blackbird NEW IDRIA ROAD Golden Eagle Prairie Falcon GRISWOLD HILLS REST AREA Greater Roadrunner Rock Wren Lark Sparrow PANOCHE HILLS ROAD UP AND OVERLOOK Sage Sparrow Sage Thrasher California Thrasher PANOCHE ROAD (near I-5 after dark) Barn Owl (2 in orchard) . . . Matthew Dodder Mountain View, CA http://www.birdguy.net http://www.zazzle.com/mdodder _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Monterey yellow-billed loon From: Don Roberson <creagrus AT montereybay.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 19:13:11 -0800 Monterey's Yellow-billed Loon has moved. Yesterday morning Tom Edell & Maggie Smith found it a half-mile north along Del Monte beach (not in Wharf area at all, which I and others checked off and on much of the day yesterday) and then in late afternoon I saw what was likely it well offshore the Best Western Beach Resort Hotel in Seaside (foot of Canyon del Rey). Rita and I went to the Best Western hotel this a.m., and found the YBLO offshore there at 11 a.m. But noon it had come to the surf-line and Bill Bouton and I photographed it extensively. These and other photos are not up on the Monterey highlights page at http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/MTY_2012a.html In that same area I counted 131 White-winged Scoters yesterday (lots today but not as many), and I had 4 Long-tailed Ducks north of the Hotel in Seaside. At the same time I was taking the YBLO photos posted above, I note it was reported back at Del Monte beach. I would be very interested in seeing any photos from there today or yesterday. I suspect that an ivory-billed Common Loon is causing confusion, but maybe there are two birds? Photos would be helpful. Thanks, Don Don Roberson Pacific Grove CA http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/ _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Recent Santa Cruz Birds From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 19:48:07 -0500 (EST) A few miscellaneous observations that I didn't get around to reporting over the last week: Jan. 28- Four MARBLED MURRELETS were fairly close to shore off West Cliff Drive near the outer rock off Columbia Street. Also that day two TREE SWALLOWS flew over Lighthouse Field, my first this season in the immediate Santa Cruz area. Jan. 29- There were still two CINNAMON TEAL in the sewage treatment plant tanks next to Neary Lagoon. Jan 30- At the UCSC Arboretum, Wendy Naruo and I found the two wintering immature male Selasphorus hummingbirds to be still present, and still defending the same territories. I am now convinced that both of these are RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS (and one is starting to turn rufous on its upper back) I'll present more details regarding the identification later, in a separate email. (Wendy also returned on Jan 31 and found them still in the same spot, and obtained a great series of close photos). Also on the 30th, we found the continuing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE near the north end of the slope north of the Arboretum and just west of Moore Creek. Feb. 1- A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was at Natural Bridges, foraging in coffeeberry bushes near the lone bench at the start of the trail down to lower Moore Creek. I assume this is the same bird that was nearby on January 6. Feb. 2- Two large CANADA GEESE flew westward over Walk Circle in the late afternoon. These were my first in the Santa Cruz city limits since late May of last year. Looking at my eBird records for the last few years, there seems to be a pattern where the introduced-type Canadas become rather regular around Santa Cruz in late winter and spring (mostly February to May), but are scarce or absent the rest of the year. Steve Gerow Santa Cruz_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Geese at Rio del Mar From: "Jeff Poklen" <jpkln AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:16:52 -0800 Yesterday afternoon there was an Aleutian Cackling Goose and a Greater White-fronted Goose at the Aptos Creek mouth. http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/141294435 http://www.pbase.com/jpkln/image/141294372 Jeff Poklen Santa Cruz, CA_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Belted kingfisher From: "Kellie D. Morgantini" <tula AT hughes.net> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:54:33 -0800 Likely old hat for most of the listers, but my first this am across the RR tracks on Hummingbird Island at Elkhorn Slough Kdm Sent from my iPhone, so please excuse the occasional misspailings....._______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Yellow-billed Loon today? From: Mary Kenney <mary.kenney AT me.com> Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:18:59 -0800 Greetings MBB-ers, Is anyone going out to find the YB Loon today? I would love to meet you to get some help finding it. I'm pretty flexible timing-wise. Thank you. Mary _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Watsonville Sloughs From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:53:12 -0500 (EST) Yesterday's Santa Cruz Bird Club field trip started along Watsonville Slough by Ramsay Park. Things got off to a good start even before the official starting time, with a juv. PEREGRINE FALCON dashing across the parking lot toward the south side of Harkins Slough Road, and returning a few moments later carrying what appeared to be a Starling. A surprise in the riparian area along the slough just north of the nature center was a wintering WILSON'S WARBLER. It had a full black cap, and appeared to be of the bright golden-yellow subspecies chryseola, the same one that breeds locally. South of the Harkins Slough Road bridge an AMERICAN BITTERN flushed from the marsh vegetation, then dropped back down into the thick tules. We also saw a COMMON GALLINULE and a female HOODED MERGANSER in this area, and it was interesting to watch a large group of NORTHERN SHOVELERS foraging in an almost perfect circle, moving counter-clockwise. Kathy Kuyper spotted a pair of WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS flying high above some Tree Swallows, then eventually they moved down to lower levels, where we all had good views as they flew around and did a lot of loud chattering near the Harkins Slough Road bridge. We moved on to Struve Slough below West Marine, where there were a couple more Hooded Mergansers and other expected species, but nothing too unusual. Harkins Slough at the flooded Harkins Slough Road crossing had an OSPREY perched in a tree not far from the nesting platform, plus two COMMON GALLINULES, another HOODED MERGANSER, and a couple thousand mixed gulls. Steve Gerow Santa Cruz_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: chickadees and nesting material From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 23:38:35 -0500 (EST) Chickadees do begin nest building this early. No slight intended for the fine Monterey Co atlas, but one of the less strong points about much breeding bird atlas data is that there is usually only limited field work very early in the year, and so some early nesting efforts by some resident species are missed or poorly represented in the atlas data set, and this can affect the interpretation of a species' breeding chronology. However, that being said, birds sometimes begin gathering nest material or even building very early in the nesting cycle and then abandon the effort before it amounts to anything. Birds may also construct a nest and then wait some time to begin laying. David Suddjian Capitola -----Original Message----- From: Sharon Hull To: 'MBB' Sent: Fri, Feb 3, 2012 8:07 pm Subject: [MBB] chickadees and nesting material As I do every late winter, I put out a suet feeder filledwith clean dog hair (the soft undercoat) for the birds to use as nestingmaterial.  This year I put it out on Feb 1, a few weeks earlier than usual,so I didn’t actually expect any takers yet. But within a few minutes, theChestnut-backed Chickadees began pulling the hair out and carrying it away, andthey have continued harvesting the hair in the 2 days since.  A check in The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Monterey Countytold me that CB Chickadees don’t usually begin nesting in Monterey Countyuntil March and I would assume that Santa Cruz Countyis similar.  So I’m perplexed: are these birds, perhaps inexperiencedor first year, just practicing nest building, with the “real” nestto be constructed later?  Do our chickadees stock-pile nesting materialfor later use?  Or could they really be nest-building this early?  Doesanyone have an idea of what is going on?  So far, I have not been able to trackany of the birds to a cavity or bird house so do not know where they areactually taking the hair. Sharon HullAptos   _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: chickadees and nesting material From: "Sharon Hull" <plants AT cruzio.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:06:31 -0800 As I do every late winter, I put out a suet feeder filled with clean dog hair (the soft undercoat) for the birds to use as nesting material. This year I put it out on Feb 1, a few weeks earlier than usual, so I didn't actually expect any takers yet. But within a few minutes, the Chestnut-backed Chickadees began pulling the hair out and carrying it away, and they have continued harvesting the hair in the 2 days since. A check in The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Monterey County told me that CB Chickadees don't usually begin nesting in Monterey County until March and I would assume that Santa Cruz County is similar. So I'm perplexed: are these birds, perhaps inexperienced or first year, just practicing nest building, with the "real" nest to be constructed later? Do our chickadees stock-pile nesting material for later use? Or could they really be nest-building this early? Does anyone have an idea of what is going on? So far, I have not been able to track any of the birds to a cavity or bird house so do not know where they are actually taking the hair. Sharon Hull Aptos _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Monterey yellow-billed loon From: "Glasco, Don" <Don.Glasco AT cengage.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 17:39:38 -0500 The yellow-billed loon was still preset at 10:15 . Viewed from Window-on-the-Bay. Near surf zone along w Pacific Loon for good comparison. A 1st year Common Murre let itself be washed ashore. It rested for 5 minutes on shore then struggled against mild waves to get itself back into water. Don Glasco Senior Systems Engineer Cengage Learning Technical Services, Web Hosting don.glasco AT cengage.com 831.277.5042 http://www.cengage.com_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: College Lake and San Lorenzo Lesser Yellowlegs From: stephengerow AT aol.com Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:16:05 -0500 (EST) Identification of a lone, non-calling Yellowlegs can be quite difficult in the field, and relative size is often hard to judge. Unfortunately, having looked at a few different photos of this bird, it appears to me to be a Greater Yellowlegs. On a Lesser, the bill should be very straight, and no longer than the head. The bill on this bird appears to have a very slight upward bend, and is noticeably longer than the head, both pointing toward a Greater. On some photos the bill also looks slightly grayer toward the base, not as evenly black as a Lesser's bill. Steve Gerow -----Original Message----- From: richard lange To: mbb Sent: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 7:55 pm Subject: [MBB] College Lake and San Lorenzo Lesser Yellowlegs Apologies for the email of a moment ago...I mistakenly hit a random set of keys that, of course, fired off the email prematurely. I meant to say.... I headed to College Lake this morning in hopes of finding the Bald Eagle. When I first arrived there were a couple RED-TAILED HAWKS and AMERICAN KESTRELS but no eagles. So I surveyed the wide variety of ducks. Nothing unusual was present, but I got good looks at a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS and some distant looks at about 10 CANVASBACKS. When I had given up on the eagle and headed back toward my car, I turned for one last look and noticed the far off gull flock had taken flight. Sure enough, the BALD EAGLE was working across the lake and ended up settling in a nearby Eucalyptus. Arriving home, I read Phil Brown's post regarding the LESSER YELLOWLEGS. I headed down to the Laurel Street bridge and found Bob and Bernadette Ramer already on the bird. It was across the river from us, and there was some discussion about whether it was actually a Greater Yellowlegs. I got some not-great shots of the bird and after getting home and studying them, it seems (to me anyway) that Lesser Yellowlegs is the right call. The first photo shows the Yellowlegs in front of a Killdeer. According the Sibley, these two birds should be the same size, and that looks to be the case in the photo. (A Greater Yellowlegs would be about 35% larger than a Killdeer.) The second provides a closer (although fuzzy) look at the head-to-bill ratio. Though this is a bit more subjective, I do think the ratio is about right for Lesser Yellowlegs. Happy birding! Richard Lange _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: College Lake and San Lorenzo Lesser Yellowlegs From: richard lange <richardmlange AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:54:10 -0800 (PST) Apologies for the email of a moment ago...I mistakenly hit a random set of keys that, of course, fired off the email prematurely. I meant to say.... I headed to College Lake this morning in hopes of finding the Bald Eagle. When I first arrived there were a couple RED-TAILED HAWKS and AMERICAN KESTRELS but no eagles. So I surveyed the wide variety of ducks. Nothing unusual was present, but I got good looks at a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS and some distant looks at about 10 CANVASBACKS. When I had given up on the eagle and headed back toward my car, I turned for one last look and noticed the far off gull flock had taken flight. Sure enough, the BALD EAGLE was working across the lake and ended up settling in a nearby Eucalyptus. Arriving home, I read Phil Brown's post regarding the LESSER YELLOWLEGS. I headed down to the Laurel Street bridge and found Bob and Bernadette Ramer already on the bird. It was across the river from us, and there was some discussion about whether it was actually a Greater Yellowlegs. I got some not-great shots of the bird and after getting home and studying them, it seems (to me anyway) that Lesser Yellowlegs is the right call. The first photo shows the Yellowlegs in front of a Killdeer. According the Sibley, these two birds should be the same size, and that looks to be the case in the photo. (A Greater Yellowlegs would be about 35% larger than a Killdeer.) The second provides a closer (although fuzzy) look at the head-to-bill ratio. Though this is a bit more subjective, I do think the ratio is about right for Lesser Yellowlegs. Happy birding!Richard Lange_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Lesser Yellowlegs From: richard lange <richardmlange AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:37:06 -0800 (PST) I headed to College Lake this morning in hopes of finding the Bald Eagle. When I first arrived, there were a couple of RED-TAILED HAWKS  _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Snow and Ross's Geese Nelson Samuels From: samnelo AT razzolink.com Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:43:01 -0500 (EST) At lunch break while subbing in second Grade at Elkhorn ELM School I drove down Dolan RD and across from the Dairy found 29 Snow & Ross's Geese. Nelson Samuels Aromas https://picasaweb.google.com/112696384428981218004/February22012?authkey=Gv1sRgCLXQkOXUkqieIw _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Osprey in Odello From: Rick Berg <fb97e4ad AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:24:52 -0500 I saw an enormous osprey prowling over Carmel River lagoon this noon-time. There were a Cooper's hawk, two Red Tails and several kestrels at Palo Corona, along with a coyote stalking some deer for a while before losing interest. Permits for Palo Corona are required but free: http://www.mprpd.org/index.cfm/id/31/Access-Permit-Application/ _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Yellow-billed Loon? From: Lisa Larson <lisa_larson AT hardingmarketing.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:25:12 +0000 Hi Birders, Has this bird been seen around Del Monte Beach again today? -Lisa Fay Larson_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: San Lorenzo From: Phil Brown <pdpbrown AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:43:30 -0800 There was a LESSER YELLOWLEGS foraging on the East bank of the San Lorenzo just upstream of the Laurel Street bridge this morning. Phil Brown._______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Fascinating Ferruginous Hawk From: Laurie Graham <fair80 AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:25:12 +0000 (UTC) Hi, All We led a bird trip to the Pinnacles on Sunday, and on the way back, we birded the backroads of Hollister. At the junction of Quien Sabe and Santa Ana Road, we were watching some hawk activity in the field along Santa Ana. We saw an unusual Ferruginous Hawk land in the field and vanish. The bird was a medium gray color and had shown the three points of light as it landed. While we were waiting for it to reappear, we watched Golden Eagles and a beautiful, classic light-morph adult Ferrug in a tree; if I remember correctly, the only tree in the field, north of the junction. Eventually the gray bird flew up out of the field, flew low over the fence at the back, landed and stood briefly, so we could get a fix on it, and then LAID DOWN in the entrance to a squirrel burrow! We got our scopes on it, and could barely see it. Debi Shearwater pulled up and we showed her where it was, and she couldn't find it. After about 10 minutes, the bird flew again, and we determined that it was an adult by the dingy white tail. We don't know if this is an unknown color morph, or whatever. The color and the behavior were very unusual. Laurie Graham, Jeff Faiclough, Leslie Flint, Ginny, Marshall, Kim Kushka, and others _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Directions YBLoon From: lammergeiereyes AT aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:01:42 -0500 (EST) Also note the bird is easily scopable with quality optics from Wharf #2 if you don't want to get sandy. Blake T. Matheson President, Monterey Audubon Society http://www.flickr.com/photos/34328261 AT N02/sets/ "Men still live who, in their youth, remember Passenger Pigeons. Trees still live who, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a decade hence only the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last only the hills will know." Leopold (1949). -----Original Message----- From: Clifford Bixler To: MBB Sent: Wed, Feb 1, 2012 12:33 pm Subject: [MBB] Directions YBLoon I have had a couple of requests for more detailed directions so here it goes. Come into Monterey on Del Monte. Parking lot is before fisherman's wharf on the right across from McDonalds and next to the kayak business. Walk out to the beach. It was last seen down near the pier about 11:30 am. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Yellow-Billed Loon and others Nelson Samuels From: samnelo AT razzolink.com Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:11:40 -0500 (EST) Went around the south end of Monterey Bay first to Jetty Rd., all the expected. Next to Salinas River mouth a flock of twenty Horned Larks and a pair of Merlins. Stopped along Molera Rd and found an Allan's Hummingbird. Finally to Del Monte beach where the Yellow-Billed Loon was still present. Met another birder,Daniel Le Beaune ? I think We tracked the bird for a half mile along the beach as it worked its way in the direction of the townhouses. Nelson Samuels https://picasaweb.google.com/112696384428981218004/February12012?authkey=Gv1sRgCLXAwPmn_6aP7gE _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Swainson's Hawk From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:41:20 -0500 (EST) Lise, Swainson's is quite rare in our area, esp in winter, as this is only the 2nd county record for winter season ever. There is a dark morph Red-tailed living near Schwan. But the bird David E. described was a light morph Swainson's, so it would not be all dark. Size is not esp. helpful in the circumstances you describe. David -----Original Message----- From: Lise Peterson To: Monterey Bay Birders Sent: Wed, Feb 1, 2012 12:19 pm Subject: Re: [MBB] Swainson's Hawk Now that I have looked at Stokes' photos of the Swainson's hawk, I wonder if that is not what I glimpsed when I drove past Schwann Lagoon yesterday.  The raptor I saw, perched on a post near the roadway, was dark brown all over, and about the size listed for a Swainson's.  Not wanting to commit the sin of BWD (Birding While Driving) I did not come to a halt in the middle of East Cliff Drive.  Has anyone else seen it in that neighborhood? On Sat, Jan 28, 2012 at 9:06 PM, David and Connie <dekdahl49 AT comcast.net> wrote:      This afternoon Connie and I were birding the Pajaro River mouth area.  As we were about to leave, around 4:30 PM, an adult light morph Swainson’s Hawk flew relatively low over the condominiums.  It then flew over the Pajaro River, into Monterey County for a short while, back over the Watsonville farm fields inland from the condominiums, and eventually towards HWY 1, where it turned north.  The hawk was very white on the beast and belly, had a broad chest band, and a pale throat.  The under tail feathers had numerous indistinct bands.  The wing linings were white, but the flight feathers were almost black.  When the hawk turned in flight the back was dark except for pale upper tail coverts.  In flight, the wings were somewhat raised similar to a Turkey Vulture.   David Ekdahl Connie Vigno _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb -- Lise Peterson Operations manager | Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 831.420.1136 Connecting people with nature, and inspiring stewardship of the natural world_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Directions YBLoon From: "Clifford Bixler" <clifford.bixler AT att.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:32:39 +0000 I have had a couple of requests for more detailed directions so here it goes. Come into Monterey on Del Monte. Parking lot is before fisherman's wharf on the right across from McDonalds and next to the kayak business. Walk out to the beach. It was last seen down near the pier about 11:30 am. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Swainson's Hawk From: Lise Peterson <lise AT santacruzmuseums.org> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:18:54 -0800 Now that I have looked at Stokes' photos of the Swainson's hawk, I wonder if that is not what I glimpsed when I drove past Schwann Lagoon yesterday. The raptor I saw, perched on a post near the roadway, was dark brown all over, and about the size listed for a Swainson's. Not wanting to commit the sin of BWD (Birding While Driving) I did not come to a halt in the middle of East Cliff Drive. Has anyone else seen it in that neighborhood? On Sat, Jan 28, 2012 at 9:06 PM, David and Connie wrote: > This afternoon Connie and I were birding the Pajaro River mouth > area. As we were about to leave, around 4:30 PM, an adult light morph > Swainson’s Hawk flew relatively low over the condominiums. It then flew > over the Pajaro River, into Monterey County for a short while, back over > the Watsonville farm fields inland from the condominiums, and eventually > towards HWY 1, where it turned north. The hawk was very white on the beast > and belly, had a broad chest band, and a pale throat. The under tail > feathers had numerous indistinct bands. The wing linings were white, but > the flight feathers were almost black. > When the hawk turned in flight the back was dark except for pale upper > tail coverts. In flight, the wings were somewhat raised similar to a > Turkey Vulture. > > David Ekdahl > Connie Vigno > > _______________________________________________ > mbb mailing list > mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu > http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb > > -- Lise Peterson Operations manager | Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 831.420.1136 *Connecting people with nature, and inspiring stewardship of the natural world*_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Natural Bridges From: Phil Brown <pdpbrown AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:11:01 -0800 The beach this morning had the usual suspects including 4 MARBLED GODWITS and a WHIMBREL. 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL including an alternate plumaged male were in the pond along with a couple of male BUFFLEHEAD. The resident RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was offshore. Of most interest was a small flock of 4 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS that flew north. A couple of COMMON MURRE flew south fairly close in, and another flock of 6 flew in the opposite direction further out to sea. Phil Brown_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Yellow Billed Loon From: "Clifford Bixler" <clifford.bixler AT att.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:52:53 +0000 The yellow billed loon was visible and close in perfect light this morning and seen and photographed by a number of birders. It was east of the parking lot then gradually swam almost to the pier staying right at the surf line. Wonderful bird. Cliff Bixler Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: YB Loon, RB Mergansers, marbled murrelet From: Rick Berg <fb97e4ad AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:46:26 -0500 Yellow-billed loon fishing in the surf at Del Monte Beach/Window On The Bay. Several RB Mergansers off Hopkins Beach, along with a marbled murrelet.. _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Yellow-billed Loon From: "Bill Hill" <billhill AT redshift.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:15:05 -0800 Brian Weed found a Yellow-billed Loon this morning at the Window on the Bay along Del Monte Beach in Monterey. I relocated the bird later in the morning and took a few distant shots. You can look at one of them here http://www.birdshotphotography.com/yellowbilled_loon.htm _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Two Bald Eagles @ Pinto Lake, 1/31 @ 11 AM From: Bernadette Ramer <baramer AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:38:11 -0800 We were at Bob's family farm in Watsonville on the east side and adjacent to Pinto Lake and were thrilled to see 2 adult BALD EAGLES fly low overhead. They were headed east to west, coming from the general direction of College Lake. They flew over Pinto Lake and landed in some Eucalyptus Trees on the western side of the lake. It was the first time we had seen them on the property and at Pinto Lake. Bernadette and Bob Ramer Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Geese, Plumbeous, and miscellaneous From: Lise Peterson <lise AT santacruzmuseums.org> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:16:31 -0800 Steve, thanks for such specific directions as to where to seek the PLUMBEOUS VIREO in San Lorenzo Park--- I was able to find it yesterday afternoon, although I did not see either of the warblers. I also saw a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and a PINE SISKIN flitting along the trees closer to the river. When we first hung feeders in our yard in RDM, ten years ago, we had several siskins regularly visiting them; I have not seen any the last two years. (On the other hand, as David observed, we host 8-10 juncos where we used to have none.) The large flock of KILLDEER who took over the 'occupy' area after it was fenced have since departed. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Lise On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 7:27 PM, wrote: > Late this afternoon, I was surprised to see a flock of 35+ GREATER > WHITE-FRONTED GEESE plus one ROSS'S GOOSE flying over Garfield Park in > western Santa Cruz, heading southwest. > Earlier this afternoon, Wendy Naruo and I checked the San Lorenzo River > in the San Lorenzo Park area. We found the PLUMBEOUS VIREO around 3:00 PM, > in the pines on the west side of the county building, toward the north > (court house) end. It was staying mostly in the one pine that was of a > shorter needled species. The continuing HERMIT WARBLER was also working > through the pines in this area, and the BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was in a > cottonwood along the river near the north end of the recovering lawn area > with the orange plastic fence. The two continuing GREATER WHITE-FRONTED > GEESE were still in the San Lorenzo Park duck pond. > This morning's Santa Cruz Bird Club field trip found a nice variety of > species in the Natural Bridges area, but nothing too unusual. There was > only one GREEN-WINGED TEAL left at the Moore Creek lagoon, but AMERICAN > ROBIN numbers were up considerably, > Yesterday there were two male CINNAMON TEAL at Neary Lagoon, both in > the waste-water treatment plants clarifier tanks, visible through the fence > from the ramp down from the west entrance to the lagoon. > Steve Gerow > Santa Cruz > > _______________________________________________ > mbb mailing list > mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu > http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb > > -- Lise Peterson Operations manager | Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 831.420.1136 *Connecting people with nature, and inspiring stewardship of the natural world*_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Lake San Antonio From: Greg Meyer <gmeyer AT csumb.edu> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:39:26 -0800 I spent a wonderful, warm weekend kayaking at Lake San Antonio with higher water than I have seen in several years. On Saturday we saw 2 adult and 10 – 13 juvenile BALD EAGLES, plus 2 GOLDEN EAGLES. On Sunday, we had a similar show with numerous juveniles but only one adult BAEA and a distant soaring GOEA. Other highlights included a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, SNOW GOOSE, LESSER YELLOWLEGS and many AMERICAN WIDGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL AND RUDDY DUCKS. There were a number of ‘missing’ birds this year. I saw *no* WESTERN GREBES, only four CLARK’S GREEBES (2 on each day) and *no* WHITE PELICANS. Usually in late January both species of Grebes are present in large numbers, calling and even starting to dance. Either the Grebes are very late or they will not be attempting to nest this coming spring. I will be going back for another weekend at the end of February, we shall see then! -- Greg Meyer, M.A. Outdoor Education and Recreation Program Kinesiology Department, Valley Hall 82D California State University Monterey Bay 100 Campus Center Seaside, CA 93955_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Lake San Antonio From: Greg Meyer <gmeyer AT csumb.edu> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:39:26 -0800 I spent a wonderful, warm weekend kayaking at Lake San Antonio with higher water than I have seen in several years. On Saturday we saw 2 adult and 10 – 13 juvenile BALD EAGLES, plus 2 GOLDEN EAGLES. On Sunday, we had a similar show with numerous juveniles but only one adult BAEA and a distant soaring GOEA. Other highlights included a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, SNOW GOOSE, LESSER YELLOWLEGS and many AMERICAN WIDGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL AND RUDDY DUCKS. There were a number of ‘missing’ birds this year. I saw *no* WESTERN GREBES, only four CLARK’S GREEBES (2 on each day) and *no* WHITE PELICANS. Usually in late January both species of Grebes are present in large numbers, calling and even starting to dance. Either the Grebes are very late or they will not be attempting to nest this coming spring. I will be going back for another weekend at the end of February, we shall see then! -- Greg Meyer, M.A. Outdoor Education and Recreation Program Kinesiology Department, Valley Hall 82D California State University Monterey Bay 100 Campus Center Seaside, CA 93955_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Lake San Antonio From: Greg Meyer <gmeyer AT csumb.edu> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:39:26 -0800 I spent a wonderful, warm weekend kayaking at Lake San Antonio with higher water than I have seen in several years. On Saturday we saw 2 adult and 10 – 13 juvenile BALD EAGLES, plus 2 GOLDEN EAGLES. On Sunday, we had a similar show with numerous juveniles but only one adult BAEA and a distant soaring GOEA. Other highlights included a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, SNOW GOOSE, LESSER YELLOWLEGS and many AMERICAN WIDGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL AND RUDDY DUCKS. There were a number of ‘missing’ birds this year. I saw *no* WESTERN GREBES, only four CLARK’S GREEBES (2 on each day) and *no* WHITE PELICANS. Usually in late January both species of Grebes are present in large numbers, calling and even starting to dance. Either the Grebes are very late or they will not be attempting to nest this coming spring. I will be going back for another weekend at the end of February, we shall see then! -- Greg Meyer, M.A. Outdoor Education and Recreation Program Kinesiology Department, Valley Hall 82D California State University Monterey Bay 100 Campus Center Seaside, CA 93955_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Hooded Oriole Photo From: waxwingboheme <waxwingboheme AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:45:35 -0800 Here's a photo of the HOODED ORIOLE that John Garrett found at Ramsay Park yesterday. It was in the Sycamore near the street at the extreme north east corner of the park, across the footpath from the gated soccer field. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10246978 AT N00/6793227143/ happy monday, Christian Schwarz, Santa Cruz/Watsonville_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Request for a friend re SCBC Panoche trip on 2/4 From: Earl <hawkowl AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:31:47 -0800 (PST) Hi, Isaac Field is looking for a ride to either the Wells Fargo meeting place or the Panoche Inn for this Saturdays trip. You can contact isaac at either 831-426-6207 or hobozero AT hotmail.com. He lives on Lincoln St. between Chestnut and Cedar downtown Santa Cruz. Thanks, Earl_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Allen's hummingbird From: kathy kuyper <chswift AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:18:37 +0000 There was an ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD, male, in Manresa State Park this morning. I saw the coppery-orange gorget as he watched me - until the Anna's chased him off - and heard the display several times. Kathy Kuyper Rio del Mar _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Early Migration? From: Paul Stevens <stevens AT tivo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:10:18 -0800 Not sure if it was a wintering individual, but I was surprised to hear (I think) an Orange-crowned Warbler in my yard this morning. From: "Glasco, Don" > Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:57:24 -0800 To: chris hartzell >, MBB > Subject: RE: [MBB] Early Migration? I don’t know about unusual or early migrations but I’ve noticed following in the last week which I don’t associate with Jan - poppies, Indian Paint Brush and Monkey Flower in flower - Mallards copulating - very agitated chickadees with displaying and challenging (so it appeared to me) - thrashers perched atop of bushes displaying and singing for multiple minutes Don Glasco Seaside, CA don.glasco AT cengage.com 831.277.5042 http://www.cengage.com From: mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu [mailto:mbb-bounces AT acg.ucsc.edu] On Behalf Of chris hartzell Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 4:17 PM To: MBB Subject: [MBB] Early Migration? With the lack of rain and continually warmer weather...is anyone noticing an early migration north yet? -Chris Hartzell ________________________________ This email and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient. 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Binding agreements with TiVo Inc. may only be made by a signed written agreement. _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: test From: Greg Meyer <gmeyer AT csumb.edu> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:11:50 -0800 -- Greg Meyer, M.A. Outdoor Education and Recreation Program Kinesiology Department, Valley Hall 82D California State University Monterey Bay 100 Campus Center Seaside, CA 93955_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Early Migration From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:06:09 -0500 (EST) Okay. When I observe nature I see patterns and trends that help me understand and explain how things fit together. Who ever said anything in nature is absolute, if by that it is meant that nothing changes? Of course things change. And most often they change in ways that make sense given the factors that are driving the change. ("Climate change" is too easy of an umbrella here). Our history of bird knowledge is all about documenting and celebrating change. Just look at what we summarize in the "Santa Cruz Birds" articles in each issue of the Bird Club's "Albatross": < http://santacruzbirdclub.org/Archive%20to%202011.pdf>. Change is right there at the heart of what we are tracking, and we recognize (and sometimes make sense of) that change because it can be evaluated with regard to patterns and trends. Bob's comments seem to decry trends and patterns, but his examples mostly fit into them. Irruptions of Snowy Owls are a well known pattern. The increasing trend of caracaras that have appeared in the west out of their usual range are forming a pattern. Hard to say much about the flycatcher that was alluded to, since its identity was never fully agreed upon. But vagrant birds for the most part occur predictably and within established patterns that can be observed. They are not random. Swainson's Thrush in January? Maybe, but if so let's have it be firmly documented as is appropriate for such a seasonally rare bird, and then we can consider where it fits in. David Suddjian Capitola -----Original Message----- From: Bob LaPointe To: mbb Sent: Sun, Jan 29, 2012 9:39 pm Subject: [MBB] Early Migration Perfectly quite perhaps...a Swainson's Thrush was at Quail Hollow. And perhaps a Snowy Owl was in Missouri! The big picture is that the planet is indeed changing climate, and what we are seeing is a migratory response to those changes. Nothing is absolute under these variable conditions. How do you explain a vagrant like a Caracara at Scott's Creek or a disputed intercontinental flycatcher on the West Side. You don't explain, you simply observe. Nature's unpredictability commands the flow of experience. That alone captures my attention. Anything is possible regardless of trends. Bob LaPointe_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Early Migration From: chris hartzell <c.hartzell AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:06:57 -0800 (PST) I was aware of the Snowy Owl in Missouri...did you hear they had one show up at the airport in Hawaii? True story...shows up, makes the news, birders flock to see it...except...it was in the path of aircraft so they shot it. A Snowy Owl flies all the way to Honolulu and they shoot it!!! -Chris Hartzell ________________________________ From: Bob LaPointe To: mbb AT acg.ucsc.edu Sent: Sun, January 29, 2012 9:38:51 PM Subject: [MBB] Early Migration Perfectly quite perhaps...a Swainson's Thrush was at Quail Hollow. And perhaps a Snowy Owl was in Missouri! The big picture is that the planet is indeed changing climate, and what we are seeing is a migratory response to those changes. Nothing is absolute under these variable conditions. How do you explain a vagrant like a Caracara at Scott's Creek or a disputed intercontinental flycatcher on the West Side. You don't explain, you simply observe. Nature's unpredictability commands the flow of experience. That alone captures my attention. Anything is possible regardless of trends. Bob LaPointe_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Early Migration From: Bob LaPointe <eboifelix AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:38:51 -0800 (PST) Perfectly quite perhaps...a Swainson's Thrush was at Quail Hollow. And perhaps a Snowy Owl was in Missouri! The big picture is that the planet is indeed changing climate, and what we are seeing is a migratory response to those changes. Nothing is absolute under these variable conditions. How do you explain a vagrant like a Caracara at Scott's Creek or a disputed intercontinental flycatcher on the West Side. You don't explain, you simply observe. Nature's unpredictability commands the flow of experience. That alone captures my attention. Anything is possible regardless of trends. Bob LaPointe_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Ramsay Park--Hooded Oriole, etc From: John Garrett <johngarrett AT jps.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:47:35 -0800 (GMT-08:00) Birders, Today (1/29) Christian Schwarz and I saw a HOODED ORIOLE (photographed by Christian) at Ramsay Park in Watsonville. It was northeast of the soccer fields, and eventually flew north across Main St. Also in the park north of Harkins Slough Rd was a COMMON GALLINULE. Three GOLDEN EAGLES were over the 152 near Soda Lake. At lower Watsonville Slough, Nick Levendosky, Christian and I saw a male EURASIAN WIGEON fly in where it joined many Americans, regularly calling. Also around were two ROSS'S GEESE, a 'minima' CACKLING GOOSE, and an AMERICAN BITTERN. Also, I've seen several YELLOW-SHAFTED-type FLICKERS in Santa Cruz this month, with a pure-looking female wintering at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, another at Moore Creek Preserve, and various intergrades (leaning on the yellow-shafted side) at Natural Bridges SB, Neary Lagoon, and Henry Cowell Redwoods SP. John Garrett Santa Cruz _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: San Benito County Today: We Have Incubation! From: Debra Shearwater <debiluv AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:39:04 -0800 Howdy, Birders, It was a gorgeous day for birding — I couldn't resist getting out there! Some highlights for SAN BENITO COUNTY: At PAICINES RESERVOIR I found 1 EURASIAN WIGEON, 2 CACKLING GEESE, 5 WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, one 4th year BALD EAGLE in the morning and one adult MALE BALD EAGLE in the late afternoon, 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER and an assortment of waterfowl. On PANOCHE ROAD I found the "usual suspects," including PHAINOPEPLA, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, HERMIT THRUSH, etc. Quite a few singing CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, WRENTITS, OAK TITS, etc. as is normal for this time of year. Two HOODED MERGANSERS were at the pond at Summit Ranch. Be sure to look on the duck house! (I failed to find the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker which had been around for several weeks). At the intersection of Panoche and Recalde Roads, a MERLIN was present. Sixteen MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were along Recalde Road. On Panoche Road from Silver Creek Ranch to Jackass Pass at least 28 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were in mixed flocks with House Finches. Unusual birds included one SAGE SPARROW and one male NORTHERN HARRIER. A FERRUGINOUS HAWK was hunting here, also. Back on lower QUIEN SABE ROAD, one adult GOLDEN EAGLE was perched on a small tree and one BURROWING OWL was present. A PRAIRIE FALCON sped by. Here, I reconnected with Leslie Flint and the Sequoia Audubon folks. (We had run into run into each other at Paicines Reservoir in the morning). Her group was busily watching many GOLDEN EAGLES and several FERRUGINOUS HAWKS. We zipped around on SANTA ANA VALLEY ROAD to the spot where the EASTERN PHOEBE lives. http://shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com/2011/12/san-benito-county-birding-eastern.html Within 10 seconds, I had spotted the phoebe. In general, the "parade" of raptors continues on Santa Ana Valley Road, as previously reported on my blog posts. The most productive location is near the intersection of Santa Ana Valley and John Smith Roads. Up to 30 golden eagles and 7 ferruginous hawks, including one dark morph have been present in this area. http://shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com/2011/11/san-benito-county-birding-october-31.html Today, I am absolutely thrilled to report that "Bernadette" has rolled out her eggs and is incubating. "Bob and Bernadette" are the names that I have given to the mated pair of BALD EAGLES whose nest was discovered in 2004— the first bald eagle nest ever, in San Benito County. I've monitored this nest every year. This egg date is within 14 days of last year's egg date. Of course, I have no idea of the actual date of laying, as I am watching the nest from a distance of about a mile and I don't check it every day. (So, for instance, I didn't check the nest yesterday. So, she may have laid her first egg yesterday, or two days ago. I can only go by dates when I check. Last year, I confirmed that she was on eggs about February 10th). She is deep in the nest, while Bob goes hunting during the day, and perches about 4 feet on a branch above and to the side of the nest in the evening. They will need to protect their eggs from ravens and magpies who would steal them for food. Both eagles are quite capable when it comes to this, as I have observed in years past. Since I spent most of 2011 home, I was able to monitor them more closely than ever. This particular pair stayed together for the entire year. This is often the case for nesting bald eagles at this latitude. Since late September, they have been within sight of each other, every day that I've been able to observe them. Quite the couple! Most years, they have produced and fledged two young. Please check my blog for updates on their progress. Elsewhere in the county, the first ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD showed up this week. Happy Trails, Debi Shearwater San Benito County Birding Debra Shearwater Shearwater Journeys, Inc. PO Box 190 Hollister, CA 95024 831.637.8527 debi AT shearwaterjourneys.com www.shearwaterjourneys.com www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com Scotland in Spring: April 24 - May 2 with Debi High Arctic: Polar Bears, Walrus & Seabirds: 8 - 18 July, 2013 charter with Debi _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Ano Nuevo. strange locations From: "Glasco, Don" <Don.Glasco AT cengage.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:47:37 -0500 I spent a gorgeous warm day at Ano Nuevo doing my docent thang, leading a couple of tours to view Elephant Seals. Birding was somewhat secondary. BTW, last days of Jan or first week of Feb is the best time of year to see these magnificent critters. One of groups even got to watch close up mating (<50 feet away) for several minutes, even watching the 'Pink Floyd' extracting itself. No often seen than close. Enough porn. No unusual or unexpected birds. The pond was practically empty in the morning. But 2 Canadian Geese on the pond in the afternoon, the first I've seen at Ano. But the location of two birds struck me as odd. - A male Common Yellow-throat was working the tall grass and coyote brush between the staging hut and port-o-johns, < 10 feet from trail. yellow-throats frequent the tule reeds around the pond, but this was ~500 feet from the wet tule and there are no puddles or ponds about due to dry winter. A male Downy Woodpecker was gleaning thru short stunted Arroyo Willow at top of Lawrence of Arabia Dune, the first big dune visitors walk across. (I assume Downy instead Hairy because of thinness of tree branches and small size. No good look at bill.) A very dry non-riparian habitat. Don Glasco Seaside, CA don.glasco AT cengage.com 831.277.5042 http://www.cengage.com_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Allen Hummingbird From: Silverbirder AT aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:23:54 -0500 (EST) We just had a beautiful male Allen's hummingbird at our feeder, first for the year. Laura and Betty The Land, Royal Oaks_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Early Migration? From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:45:33 -0500 (EST) Winter song by juncos has become a regular feature in the mid-county region of Santa Cruz Co in recent years, coincident with a change in status in that area, where the species has expanded its breeding range into urban areas where they formerly did not nest. Now they are resident in those areas and some begin to sing in late November. But if you listen closely, the song is not as intense, loud or persistent as later when we are actually in the species' nesting season. They were singing at the same time during last year's much wetter winter. Chickadees are commonly chasing each other by late January. On the topic of migrant arrival dates, there is a summary for a number of landbirds in Santa Cruz County here: http://santacruzbirdclub.org/Spring%20Arrivals-08.pdf David Suddjian Capitola -----Original Message----- From: Pete Sole To: mbb Sent: Sun, Jan 29, 2012 8:59 am Subject: Re: [MBB] Early Migration? All, I think another way to ask a similar question, is: Is the breeding cycle for birds ahead of schedule this year due to the relatively mild weather we've been enjoying? One of the observations I've noticed lately is that Dark Eyed Juncos (Oregonian subspecies) are singing in what appears to be an attempt at establishing territories. I can also corroborate what another mbb another poster noted, Chickadees seem to be chasing each other, and being far more aggressive to each other, than earlier in the winter. I have no idea when Juncos normally start singing and establishing territories. Likewise Chickadees, but the question above still stands: Are we seeing activity indicative of an "early" breeding season? Great discussion! Pete On 1/29/12 8:44 AM, Don Roberson wrote: > David Suddjian is right on target. "Early migration" has no meaning at this date, in late January, except to ask whether Allen's Hummers and Tree Swallows are on time or not. No migration of any species is going to be accelerated or delayed by months.... the meaning of the term "early migration" is to ask whether the normal arrival date of each migrant is "early" by a margin of a few days or a week. > > Each species of migrant has a well-known and predictable arrival date. For Monterey County these are discussed in "Monterey Birds" or the Breeding Bird Atlas. An "early" spring is when a few arrive a few days before the usual "first" date; a "late" spring is when the first one is found some days or a week after the usual first date. Bar graphs indicate these timings. > > Actually more important that the usual "first" date is the timing of the first "surge" of migrants of any specific species, and that can sometimes be noticeable to birders -- but again, it will be near the usual timing. > > Swainson's Thrush is an example -- rather like Western Wood Pewee or Olive-sided Flycatcher -- that does not arrive until late April in any year. There is no such thing as an "early" migrant of any of those in January. The occurrence of such a bird -- if proven -- would be of a wintering individual. An "early" pewee or SWTH would be mid-April. > > Using migration terminology correctly is important in discussing this very interesting subject. > > Cheers, Don > > Don Roberson > Pacific Grove CA > http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/ > > > > > Don Roberson > Pacific Grove CA > http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > mbb mailing list > mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu > http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Cedar Waxwings galore From: mzpmyers AT aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:05:56 -0500 (EST) While walking in a neighborhood across from Henry Cowell this morning, I was pleased to see a flock of 60+ CEDAR WAXWINGS in a bare tree. They were glistening and gorgeous in the sunlight. Small groups came down to take turns drinking in a puddle. Pam Myers Santa Cruz_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Early Migration? From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:25:21 -0800 Another bit of anecdotal info... When I was out at Merced NWR a couple of weekends ago, one thing that struck me was how poor shape the the pastures were in. That was just before the big storm, so we'd had no rain, and everything had that "august brown" look to it; I remember thinking at the time this wasn't going to be a good year for the birds depending on the growth the rains normally bring. It would not surprise me a bit given the dry and warm winter that some birds are choosing to head north early (if this actually is early) because of the poor food supplies caused by the lack of rain. The weekend I was at Merced, there were almost no sandhill cranes on refuge which is unusual. I saw maybe half a dozen. They were in the area, because they flew in en masse right at the end of twilight for the evening. I've never seen that happen before, but it indicated to me the flock that's typically on the refuge was somewhere nearby where the food sources were better and came in to roost. Typically, there'll be good numbers in the pastures near the tour routes, but this year, no. I get out there 2-3 times a year (and this is my fifth year of doing that), so my data's limited, but it really struck me as not typical for this time of year and it was notable how poor pickings the pastures were for a grazing species. On Jan 29, 2012, at 9:57 AM, chris hartzell wrote: > What brought the question up, which I probably should have stated in my original post, is I received a couple unusual reports. A co-worker, who does geese hunting trips, said he has noticed in the last week that geese numbers are significantly down and they have also been seeing tens of thousands of geese flying northward (how far he could not say). I got a similar report from a wildlife photographer in New Mexico who said they seem to be noticing a similar pattern of low numbers at sites and large numbers flying north of cranes. +-+-+-+-+-+-+ Chuq Von Rospach, photographer, writer, and herder of cats email: chuqvr AT gmail.com blog: http://www.chuqui.com photos: http://chuqui.smugmug.com more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chuqui _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Early Migration? From: chris hartzell <c.hartzell AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:57:22 -0800 (PST) What brought the question up, which I probably should have stated in my original post, is I received a couple unusual reports. A co-worker, who does geese hunting trips, said he has noticed in the last week that geese numbers are significantly down and they have also been seeing tens of thousands of geese flying northward (how far he could not say). I got a similar report from a wildlife photographer in New Mexico who said they seem to be noticing a similar pattern of low numbers at sites and large numbers flying north of cranes. -Chris Hartzell_______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: [Fwd: photolink] Nelson Samuels From: samnelo AT razzolink.com Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:54:33 -0500 (EST) ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: photolink From: samnelo AT razzolink.com Date: Sun, January 29, 2012 12:52 pm To: samnelo AT razzolink.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- photo link https://picasaweb.google.com/112696384428981218004/January292012ExperimentingWithMyNewLens?authkey=Gv1sRgCMCJlIm1xc7XRQ _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb Subject: Re: Early Migration? From: Chuq Von Rospach <chuqvr AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:21:12 -0800 A couple of minor data points from my watching. Every year our neighborhood gets invaded by a large flock of robins when they flock and move from their wintering grounds. For a few days they're everywhere. That just happened this last week, and is about on schedule. I heard my first singing oak titmouse yesterday, and saw one checking out a nesting location in the last week. That's about normal. Checking the old cal avers bald eagle nest I found one of the birds, I think the female. In two weeks she should be brooding. It looks like they haven't laid yet, so they seem to be on schedule. So that's three species I have watched afor a few years and in these locations, things seem to be on schedule, not early or late. Chuq Von Rospach Blogger, photographer, cat herder chuqvr AT gmail.com, chuqui AT me.com Blog: http://www.chuqui.com Answering your email while mobile... On Jan 29, 2012, at 8:58, Pete Sole wrote: > I have no idea when Juncos normally start singing and establishing territories. Likewise Chickadees, but the question above still stands: > > Are we seeing activity indicative of an "early" breeding season? > > Great discussion! > > _______________________________________________ mbb mailing list mbb AT lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu http://lists.pbsci.ucsc.edu/mailman/listinfo/mbb