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17 Mar Kenwood local interest ["Ruth Rudesill" ] 16 Mar Pt. Reyes, 3/15 ["Denise and David Hamilton" ] 16 Mar Re:Burrowing Owl ["Steven D. Miller" ] 16 Mar European birding info request (please reply off-list) ["Ctalcroft" ] 15 Mar cont. Northern Waterthrush and misc local interest 3/15/10 [Dominik Mosur ] 14 Mar Long-eared Owl - Campbell Cove [] 14 Mar Lake Ralphine, Spring Lake, Place-to-Play Park, Santa Rosa ["Ctalcroft" ] 13 Mar Burrowing Owl [Rebecca Olsen ] 13 Mar Another PRFA... ["Bill Doyle" ] 13 Mar Harlequin Duck and others at Tomales Bay ["Bob Battagin" ] 13 Mar Merlin (S. Novato) [Maggie Rufo ] 12 Mar POINT REYES [Rich Stallcup ] 08 Mar Re: Cliff Swallows SSU [Gary Scheppke ] 8 Mar Spring Lake Spring survey ["Ruth Rudesill" ] 8 Mar Fort Ross Road [Rich Stallcup ] 8 Mar RE: Cliff Swallows SSU [Rich Stallcup ] 08 Mar Cliff Swallows SSU ["kleinhea" ] 08 Mar Loss of the Forest cap at Hawk Hill ["shenmaker" ] 08 Mar Nest-building Great Blue Herons ["shenmaker" ] 7 Mar correction Orange-cr Warbler ["Ruth Rudesill" ] 7 Mar Spring Lake today ["Ruth Rudesill" ] 7 Mar 3 Seasonal (Expected) Singing Species: Migrant Arrival, Resident, Non-Breeding Resident [Daniel Edelstein ] 7 Mar Vaux's Swifts [Harry Fuller ] 07 Mar Solano County Madrone Audubon Society Trip ["Ctalcroft" ] 07 Mar Rufous-crowned Sparrows - Pine Mt. Rd ["Stephen" ] 06 Mar CA. Burrowing Owl Symposium Slated for Sonoma (9-11-2010) ["torusert" ] 06 Mar More activity on Richardson Bay ["wilcox_kerry" ] 3 Mar Kenwood local interest ["Ruth Rudesill" ] 01 Mar Las Gallinas: Great Blue Heron tangled in fishing line ["Joan" ] 1 Mar Las Gallinas Ponds 02/28/10 [Maggie Rufo ] 28 Feb Bodega ["Sharon Salisbury" ] 01 Mar Spring NAB Reports ["AJSearcy" ] 28 Feb Re: Mergansers at Rodeo Beach [] 28 Feb PRFA at Crane Creek, again... ["Bill Doyle" ] 28 Feb Mergansers at Rodeo Beach ["Karen Jo Rippens" ] 26 Feb Re: Burrowing Owl Survey in Sonoma [Bob Power ] 26 Feb Burrowing Owl Survey in Sonoma ["gd4bird" ] 26 Feb Harriers vocalizing. [mary morrison ] 26 Feb Suburban Santa Rosa Birds, including an osprey and an odd downy woodpecker ["Ctalcroft" ] 26 Feb Harriers vocalizing. ["richa" ] 25 Feb Hybrid Blue Wing x Cinnamon Teal at Ellis Creek ["fcox_1946" ] 25 Feb EBIRD.ORG NEW FEATURE ["MaryM" ] 24 Feb Richardson Bay ["wilcox_kerry" ] 24 Feb Coopers Hawks at SSU [Becky Olsen ] 24 Feb Re: Not in my bird sanctuary, you don't... ["lbvireo" ] 22 Feb Huichica Rails ["emwood94559" ] 21 Feb Eurasian Collared Dove Santa Rosa, Sonoma County ["Doug Shaw" ] 21 Feb Re: Not in my bird sanctuary, you don't... ["Bob Dyer" ] 21 Feb Not in my bird sanctuary, you don't... [Shollenberger Park ] 21 Feb Fw: Gull ID? [Logan Kahle ] 20 Feb Las Gallinas 2/20/10 [Dominik Mosur ] 20 Feb Gull ID? ["Cindy McCluskey" ] 21 Feb Gull ID? ["rhysingup" ] 20 Feb Richardson Bay and White-throated Sparrow at Las Gallinas ["Michael" ] 19 Feb North Marin birds ["Bob Battagin" ] 19 Feb Email Addresses ["Jon Winter" ] 19 Feb Re: Long-tailed Duck ["zygofoot" ] 18 Feb Long-tailed Duck and Bucephala Hybrid [Len Blumin ] 18 Feb Odd Ducks on Richardson Bay [Len Blumin ] 18 Feb WTSWs, etc. ["Jules" ] 17 Feb Marin/Napa 2-17-10 [Dominik Mosur ] 18 Feb Re: Mystery duck, Richardson Bay ["wilcox_kerry" ] 18 Feb Mystery duck, Richardson Bay ["wilcox_kerry" ] 17 Feb Sonoma County Breed Bird Atlas Training Course [Veronica Bowers ] 16 Feb Re: Barred Owl hooting near Muir Woods NM (2/14)? ["KenS" ] 15 Feb White-throated Sparrow at Stinson Gulch [Bob Battagin ] 15 Feb Birds Of Local Interest/Seasonal Sightings: Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds [Daniel Edelstein ] 15 Feb Barred Owl hooting near Muir Woods NM (2/14)? ["KenS" ] 14 Feb February 13, 2010 Bodega Bay ["Ctalcroft" ] 13 Feb Home depot ["Sharon Salisbury" ] 12 Feb Photos of Northbay Birds needed ["gd4bird" ] 10 Feb Tolay Park sightings ["peter_colasanti" ] 10 Feb Common Moorhen Phoenix Lake ["bhlenarz" ] 9 Feb Skaggs Island Clapper Rail and Red-tails in Love [Maggie Rufo ] 8 Feb Napa Huichica Creek Short-eared Owls 2/7 ["Denise and David Hamilton" ] 09 Feb Smith Ranch Road - Nuttall's Woodpecker ["Christian" ] Subject: Kenwood local interest From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:23:29 -0700 With the time change, my morning walks start at o'dark thirty again. It the darkness, a distant Great Horned Owl was calling, also Killdeer, Wild Turkey, Mockingbirds and Black-cr Night-Herons flew over. Heard a splash in a water filled ditch and with a flashlight saw a long dark mammal go into a pipe. Too small for Otter, not a Raccoon, so I'm thinking Mink. Saw a Raccoon in the next block though (Mac wanted to chase it...) Heard a weird call I could not ID in some redwoods. A low, hoarse bark sort of like a hound but unlike any owl calls I know... Then the American Robin chorus started up and that woke up many other species - towhees, jays etc. Best bird of the morning was a fly over, calling Pileated Woodpecker. Treated to several beautiful singing Hermit Thrushes. 28 species in all and this was well before sunrise. Ruth Rudesill (with Mac the collie) Kenwood Sonoma Valley CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pt. Reyes, 3/15 From: "Denise and David Hamilton" <napabirders AT att.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:28:31 -0700 Hi all, After reading Rich Stallcup's post the other day, we headed out to Pt. Reyes on Monday. Beautiful weather and NO wind! First stop was White House Pool- resident birds were singing away, with a few Orange-crowned Warblers singing away also. An Osprey landed out in the field and then flew overhead carrying some nesting material. What happened to the outhouses there?? There is still a good number of grebes, brant and ducks out on Tomales Bay. Hiking out to Chimney Rock, met up with another birder who did not see any Red-necked Grebes, the White-winged Scoter or the female Harlequin Duck, but we went out anyway. After a lot of scanning, we found them all. The birds were diving more than spending time up, so it made it difficult to see them. The White-winged Scoter we saw, was such a drab brown, that it was a most difficult bird to pick up on other than the little white showing on the wing. The white spot on the cheek of the female Harlequin Duck really stands out. We were amazed that after watching her for about 15 minutes, one time she dove down and just disappeared!! The cormorants on the rocks are in a dazzling breeding plumage right now. The adult Peregrine Falcon was still out on the cliffs, and there is a great group of Elephant Seals hauled out right below the bench at the end of Chimney Rock. We did see 2 whales spouting off and saw them slide above the water once. Flowers are coming along beautifully! We took a quick drive out to Drake's Beach to look for gulls (which there were hardly any of), but the surprise bird was a Rock Wren sitting right on the pile of drift wood right next to the fence of the parking area! At Five Brooks, we did not see any Wood Ducks, just a lot of American Wigeon, a flock of 60, very tame CA Quail and a buzzy Allen's Hummingbird. Ended up with 102 species for the day. Best birding, Denise & David Hamilton Napa napabirders AT att.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re:Burrowing Owl From: "Steven D. Miller" <steve AT born-today.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:43:45 -0700 I met Rebecca and Ken out on the trail at Tolay Lake, having myself seen a Golden Eagle from near the end of the West Ridge Trail. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: European birding info request (please reply off-list) From: "Ctalcroft" <ctalcroft AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:56:40 -0000 Hope it's not inappropriate to ask here for info. from anyone with recent experience birding in any of the following areas: Britain, southern France, northeastern Spain, northern Italy. Please reply off-list. Looking for specific place recommendations or pointers to useful resources for trip planning. Thanks Colin Talcroft Santa Rosa Subject: cont. Northern Waterthrush and misc local interest 3/15/10 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:55:48 -0700 (PDT) This morning, between 10-10:45 a.m. I heard the wintering NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH that was found on '09 Pt. Reyes CBC by Todd Easterla. It was in the same area as reported previously (don't recall it being reported since mid Jan. though.), west of the large pull-out, north side of Sir Francis Drake, just past the sign for Drake's View Way. I never got a look but the loud, metallic, chip notes were quite distinctive. Also of local interest were two BALD EAGLES flying over the area headed east. One appeared to be carrying something (fish?) the other seemed to be in pursuit. Earlier, scoping from the top of the Lighthouse stairs on the OP I had (4) BLACK SCOTERS (3m 1f) and my FOS PIGEON GUILLEMOTS with several hundred vocalizing Common Murres on the water. The only apparent migrant on the OP today was a single ORANGE-cROWNED WARBLER chipping in the trees near the Fishdocks. I then drove through Chileno Valley and stopped to scope frequently but still am left wondering whatever happened to Loggerhead Shrikes in Marin. There was an apparent brooding Mute Swan on La Laguna along with (20+) Ring-necked ducks and a distant male Scaup. Also across from 3053 Chileno Valley Road/mm.8.27 in a flooded field there was an impressive array of waterfowl. Hundreds of American Wigeons/Northern Pintails as well as lesser numbers of Northern Shovelers and Bufflehead were present on the "vernal" pond that I had never noticed there before this spring. Later, driving through Petaluma I saw a GREEN HERON standing on the bank of the Petaluma river, behind the Petaluma Nail Salon. At Ellis Creek the duck numbers were way down from my last visit, a pair of Cinnamon Teal, (3) female Com. goldeneyes and a few N.Shovelers/Buffleheads/Gadwalls are all that remain. Plus another 3 pairs of Mute Swans. Also heard SORA and COMMON MOORHEN. A Savannah Sparrow was observed carrying nesting material along the trail. Good birding, Dominik Mosur San Francisco Subject: Long-eared Owl - Campbell Cove From: helen.k AT comcast.net Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:42:51 +0000 (UTC) Bill Doyle and I were very pleased to have great looks at our county Long-eared Owl at Campbell Cove at Bodega Harbor today.  The bird flushed out of trees on the north end of the pond and then sat on one of the back fence posts in the noon sun for a while before flying into the wax-myrtle at the back north corner.  We also saw our first of season male Rufous Hummingbird at the rail ponds,  otherwise, pretty quiet. Helen Kochenderfer Santa Rosa [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Ralphine, Spring Lake, Place-to-Play Park, Santa Rosa From: "Ctalcroft" <ctalcroft AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:55:45 -0000 On a walk around LAKE RALPHINE (at Howarth Park, Santa Rosa) and SPRING LAKE today (March 13) I saw nothing much unusual except the SPOTTED SANDPIPER that's been hanging out on the east side of Lake Ralphine, but I was able to get an extraordinary photograph of a golden-crowned sparrow (above). The bird virtually walked up to me and sat at my feet. Who knows why? At first I thought it was sitting on a nest, but I don't think these sparrows are ground nesters. It was as if the bird simply wanted companionship. It reminded me of a cat curling up to sleep in a comfortable spot. From about six feet away, it allowed me to take photographs for several minutes, not stirring until I stood up to leave. Birds I saw: Anna's hummingbird, red-winged blackbirds, pied-billed grebes, coot, turkey vultures, California towhees, spotted towhees, yellow-rumped warblers, Canada geese, scrub jays, crows, ravens, Northern flicker, bushtits, Bewick's wren, American goldfinch, golden-crowned sparrow, mallards, buffleheads, snowy egret, double-crested cormorant, ring-billed gull, California gull, Brewer's blackbird, common merganser (46 on Lake Ralphine today), oak titmouse, spotted sandpiper, common goldeneye, ruby-crowned kinglet, house finch, and dark-eyed junco--thirty-one species on a three-hour walk covering about three miles. On Friday (March 12) I spent about 40 minutes at PLACE TO PLAY PARK in Santa Rosa. Some long-time birdwatchers in the area rightly lament that the park today is just a remnant of what used to be a much more extensive wild area, but it continues to attract a lot of birds. On a short walk covering a distance of only a few hundred yards (once around the small lake) I saw: Red-shouldered hawk, crows, common merganser, killdeer, double-crested cormorant, snowy egret, bufflehead, ruddy duck, black phoebe, yellow-rumped warbler, bushtits, California towhee, coots, turkey vulture, scrub jay, Canada geese, house finches, robin, golden-crowned sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, Nuttall's woodpecker, mourning doves, pied-billed grebe, and a Northern mockingbird. I also saw a warbler I was unable to identify--mostly yellow and pale gray with a distinct white eye ring. Twenty-five species in total, which is nearly as many as I saw at Lake Ralphine and Spring Lake in a much smaller area and covering a much shorter distance. Photo of the golden-crowned sparrow is here: http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/1947215/sn/1775560693/name/Golden+crowned+sparrow+1+small.jpg Photo of the spotted sandpiper is here: http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/1947215/sn/990641154/name/Spotted+sandpiper+smallcmt.jpg Colin Talcroft Santa Rosa Subject: Burrowing Owl From: Rebecca Olsen <ryderbird AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:46:38 -0800 Today Ken Wilson and I found a Burrowing owl at Tolay Lake Regional Park in Petaluma. It was perched in a rocky area on the east (southeast?) side of the Burrowing Owl trail. Other birds we saw there include several Allen's hummingbirds, Ring- necked ducks, a Say's phoebe, Lincoln sparrows, and groups of willets and Dowitcher sp. As noted in other reports from Tolay, this park is not open to the general public yet. Weekend access is gained by attending an orientation. Becky Olsen Petaluma Subject: Another PRFA... From: "Bill Doyle" <bill.doyle AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:17:19 -0800 Another Prairie Falcon for Helen Kochenderfer and myself today, soaring right overhead at Sugarloaf State Park. Otherwise, pretty quiet, but a clear, beautiful day. Bill Doyle Santa Rosa [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Harlequin Duck and others at Tomales Bay From: "Bob Battagin" <bigfootbob AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:32:31 -0800 Hi NBBers, Today at noon there was a male Harlequin Duck resting on an exposed rock in Tomales Bay about 1.5 miles south of Nick's Cove along Highway 1. The address on the east side of the Highway at this location was 22222. Earlier in the day along the east side of Tomales Bay there was a White-winged Scoter near the Marconi Center south of Marshall. At the south end of the Bay three Eurasian Wigeon, a Snow Goose, and two River Otters were in the various channels at that location. I'm not familiar with the occurrence of Black-crowned Night Heron at Nicasio Reservoir, so I'll mention that I saw two in the NE corner willows as I drove to Tomales Bay this morning. They are the first two I've observed at the Reservoir. Good birding, Bob Battagin Woodacre [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Merlin (S. Novato) From: Maggie Rufo <magwhls AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:24:32 -0800 Dear Birders, This morning a merlin, possibly the same one as about a month ago, is on the wonderful snag above my house, having a songbird for breakfast. I've done a little research to see if it's usual for them to still be here at this time and I'm still not really clear on whether it's notable that this bird is still around. Anyway, nice way to start the day (unless you are a songbird). Maggie Rufo Novato "...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!" - Emerson Subject: POINT REYES From: Rich Stallcup <rstallcup AT prbo.org> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:05:35 -0800 HI NORTH BAYBIRDERS- Yesterday a group of us slipped in between storms and took the walk to Chimney Rock. It was amazing with the riots of flowers$B!D(B watching Gray Whales on calm seas and Long-tailed Weasel scurring past us along the trail; a $B!j(B Harlequin Duck on the bay side near the end; several Red-necked Grebes and White-winged Scoters a Rhinoceros Auklet some Harbor Porpoises, migrating loons, fancy Guillemots, colonial murres and the usual pinnipeds and Peregrines. After today it should just get better and better for a month but please remember, the bus shuttle is in effect on good-weather weekend days. THANKS, RICH [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Cliff Swallows SSU From: Gary Scheppke <gscheppke AT orgman.org> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:46:49 -0800 Cliff Swallows at Lake Solano/Putah Creek yesterday. G Rich Stallcup wrote: > > > HI ANDY- > > That is very early for Cliff Swallows west of the coast ranges. > It is just right for the Central Valleys at this same latitude. We > will expect to see earlier and earlier returnees as G.W. advances. > > Have you seen the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker or Zaboria Sparrow > at SSU lately?? > > TRHANKS.......RICH > > From: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com > > [mailto:northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com > ] On Behalf Of kleinhea > Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 8:34 AM > To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [NBB] Cliff Swallows SSU > > Anyone have Cliff Swallows in Sonoma Co. yet this year? > > I had my first few Cliff Swallows of the season high over Copeland > Creek at SSU yesterday. Also two new Orange-crowned Warblers in the > willows. > > Good birding, > > Andy Kleinhesselink > Cotati > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Spring Lake Spring survey From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 15:08:09 -0800 This morning Bob Speckels and I did the spring Spring Lake Reg Park survey. 68 species and 696 birds counted. Had some surprises: the biggest one was a singing Cassin's Vireo, which is about 2 weeks early per Mike Parmeter's "Birds of Sonoma County." We also had 3 singing Orange-crowned Warblers, an active Bushtit nest and an excellent look at a male Sharp-shinned Hawk. The female Barrow's Goldeneye is still present. A Wh-Br Nuthatch that had an almost entirely white head. The swallows are back! Five species were seen, mostly Violet-greens. Birds observed: Canada Goose 38, Mallard 11, Barrow's Goldeneye 1 female, Common Goldeneye 1, Bufflehead 10, Common Merganser 1, California Quail 14, Pied-billed Grebe 11, Double-crested Cormorant 12, Turkey Vulture 10, Snowy Egret 2, Green Heron 1, Black-crowned Night-Heron 1, Osprey 2, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Red-shouldered Hawk 2, Virginia Rail 1, Sora 2, Common Moorhen 6, American Coot 1, Ring-billed Gull 1, Band-tailed Pigeon 10, Anna's Hummingbird 15, Selasphorus sp. 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Northern Flicker 2, Acorn Woodpecker 9, Nuttall's Woodpecker 5, Downy Woodpecker 2, Black Phoebe 7, Cassin's Vireo 1, Hutton's Vireo 4, Steller's Jay 4, Western Scrub-Jay 9, American Crow 26, Common Raven 5, Tree Swallow 23, Violet-green Swallow 53, Rough-winged Swallow 1, Cliff Swallow 3, Barn Swallow 5, Chestnut-backed Chickadee 8, Oak Titmouse 25, Bushtit 23, White-breasted Nuthatch 9, Brown Creeper 3, Bewick's Wren 7, Marsh Wren 1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14, Western Bluebird 23, American Robin 103, Vaired Thrush 1, Hermit Thrush 6, Wrentit 2, Cedar Waxwing 4, Orange-crowned Warbler 3, Yellow-rumped Warbler 26, Spotted Towhee 9, California Towhee 22, Song Sparrow 10, Fox Sparrow 1, Golden-crowned Sparrow 5, Dark-eyed Junco 14, Red-winged Blackbird 13, House Finch 22, Lesser Goldfinch 21, American Goldfinch 5. Ruth Rudesill Kenwood Sonoma Co [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fort Ross Road From: Rich Stallcup <rstallcup AT prbo.org> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:05:23 -0800 GOOD AFTERNOON NORTHBAY BIRDERS— Yesterday we travelled the Cazadero-Fort Ross Road seeking year birds and salamanders… There were many cool wildlife subjects but the only truly unexpected one was a ♂ Hermit Warbler just down the driveway to the PADMASAMBHAVA peace institurte. Perhaps surprisingly, it was in alternate plumage (very spiffy) and was the only warbler in a flock that was made up primarily of rufecent Chestnut-backed Chickadees. ♫ RICH [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Cliff Swallows SSU From: Rich Stallcup <rstallcup AT prbo.org> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:00:48 -0800 HI ANDY- That is very early for Cliff Swallows west of the coast ranges. It is just right for the Central Valleys at this same latitude. We will expect to see earlier and earlier returnees as G.W. advances. Have you seen the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker or Zaboria Sparrow at SSU lately?? TRHANKS.......RICH From: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of kleinhea Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 8:34 AM To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NBB] Cliff Swallows SSU Anyone have Cliff Swallows in Sonoma Co. yet this year? I had my first few Cliff Swallows of the season high over Copeland Creek at SSU yesterday. Also two new Orange-crowned Warblers in the willows. Good birding, Andy Kleinhesselink Cotati [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cliff Swallows SSU From: "kleinhea" <andy_kleinhesselink AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:34:01 -0000 Anyone have Cliff Swallows in Sonoma Co. yet this year? I had my first few Cliff Swallows of the season high over Copeland Creek at SSU yesterday. Also two new Orange-crowned Warblers in the willows. Good birding, Andy Kleinhesselink Cotati Subject: Loss of the Forest cap at Hawk Hill From: "shenmaker" <shenmaker AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:50:36 -0000 I need your help. Hidden in the recently announced plans to improve the access to Hawk Hill (along with parking meters and paid toilets) is a small mention of "removing non-native trees." What they don't tell you unless you read through the 550+ page EIS is that they intend to completely destroy the entire small forest at the top of Hawk Hill, on the grounds that the trees are non-native. Yes, and it will happen within the next few months. I am trying to organize a petition to stop this. It would help greatly if I can compile a list of birds observed within and in proximity to the forest, during the past year. I could also use some help in putting this together, especially some legal advice if any of you are in the legal profession. You can reach me at: shenmaker AT msn.com or 415/331-3753 thanks, Richard Pavek Subject: Nest-building Great Blue Herons From: "shenmaker" <shenmaker AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:39:53 -0000 Not exactly in the North Bay but several Great Blue Herons are again re-building their nests at the north end of Stowe Lake, in Golden Gate Park in San Fransisco. Richard Subject: correction Orange-cr Warbler From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:48:36 -0800 Okay - no nasty e-mails - the Orange-crowned Warbler was SINGING not calling..... well, it gave a call note, too, but the point was it was singing. Ruth Rudesill Kenwood [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Spring Lake today From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:45:56 -0800 This afternoon, at Spring Lake Regional Park in eastern Santa Rosa, I heard the first of the season Orange-crowned Warbler calling on the lakeside trail on the west side. Also several Virginia Rails were calling. Ruthie Rudesill Kenwood Sonoma Co CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 3 Seasonal (Expected) Singing Species: Migrant Arrival, Resident, Non-Breeding Resident From: Daniel Edelstein <edelstein AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:07:55 -0500 (EST) Novato Hills, Marin Co. Open Space, Marin Co., 3/7/10 * Today's hike yielded familiar, common, (expected) seasonal singing spp. such as: - ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (recent migrant arrival/Marin Co. nester; back for a good spell and detected previously by many others, but my first verbal testimonial for this spring in the Novato hills today) - BROWN CREEPER (resident) (calling and singing) - RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (non-breeding season resident only) (calling and singing) Happy Spring, Daniel Daniel Edelstein Novato, CA (Bay Area) & Ellison Bay, WI http://www.warblerwatch.com My two popular blog sites: 1) http://warblerwatch.blogspot.com (devoted to wood-warblers) 2) http://danielsmerrittclasses.blogspot.com (focused on classes I teach at Merritt College in Oakland, CA, including information about how to register for my next one -- "Bird Song Ecology/Birding By Ear" -- that begins in 4/10) 12 Kingfisher Court Novato, CA 94949-6628 USA 415-382-1827 (voice & DSL fax) Subject: Vaux's Swifts From: Harry Fuller <anzatowhee AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 10:06:22 -0800 (PST) On Friday evening there was a small flock of Vaux's Swifts circling high above the Bear Valley Visitors Center at Point Reyes. Harry Fuller www.towhee.net for birding Oregon & Northern California bird updates at : http://atowhee.wordpress.com/ Partnership for International Birding: PIBirding.wordpress.com Subject: Solano County Madrone Audubon Society Trip From: "Ctalcroft" <ctalcroft AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:40:42 -0000 I joined a group of birders from the Madrone Audubon Society today on a trip to Solano County, mostly along Putah Creek, near Lake Solano Campground. The group was hoping to find the pygmy owls that have been reported in the area recently, and I was hoping to see an American dipper and a Lewis's woodpecker, but no luck with any of these birds. I did get a new bird, however, a PHAINOPEPLA--a rather drab female, but a new bird nevertheless. Other highlights included good views of a GREEN HERON, good views of hermit thrushes, good views of WOOD DUCKS, a PILEATED WOODPECKER sighting, an immature GOLDEN EAGLE, two active bushtit nests, common goldeneyes engaged in courtship behavior, and two rather oddly colored birds--one a Canada goose that looked like it had some greater white-fronted goose in it and a male bufflehead that looked like a first-year male (broad white strip at the bottom of the area that is usually white rather than a full white bonnet) but with the top of the bonnet beginning to turn white; the upper part of the head where normally white was a dappled gray. The group saw 50 species, of which I saw 48 (add one if you count the numerous peacocks and peahens). At and around Lake Solano Campground: belted kingfisher, buffleheads, greater scaup, red-winged blackbird, American robin, mallards, Canada geese, black phoebe, red-shouldered hawk, phainopepla, yellow-rumped warblers, double-crested cormorant, downy woodpecker, violet-green swallow, tree swallow, dark-eyed junco, wood duck, scrub jay, great blue heron, green heron, American crow, raven, Nuttall's woodpecker, golden-crowned sparrow, oak titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, acorn woodpecker, bushtits, ruby-crowned kinglet, pied-billed grebe, cedar waxwings, snowy egret, Western bluebird, Bewick's wren, spotted towhee, common goldeneye, American wigeon, song sparrow, pileated woodpecker, northern flicker, lesser goldfinch, turkey vulture, white-crowned sparrow, Lincoln's sparrow, northern mockingbird, and house finch--the last two seen by the group, but not by me (forty-eight species at this location). At the spot marked as Fishing Access No. 2, we saw: A large group of common goldeneyes engaging in courtship behavior (the males bending their necks back, touching their backs, and then thrusting their necks forward), buffleheads, double-crested cormorant, yellow-rumped warblers, bushtits, California towhee, orange-crowned warblers, downy woodpecker, wood ducks, scrub jays, and mallards. Heard Nuttall's woodpecker and a wrentit. The immature golden eagle was at Fishing Access No. 3. (The golden eagle and wrentit bring the group total to 50.) All in all, a good day. A photo of the odd Canada goose is here: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2elorB2OitM/S5MQi3IMBhI/AAAAAAAABH4/uyMbhaBJMk4/s1600/Odd%2BCanada%2BGoose%2Bsmallcmt.jpg A photo of the bufflhead with odd plumage is here: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2elorB2OitM/S5MQPRc8tBI/AAAAAAAABHw/u-Y_9brOn20/s1600/Bufflehead%2Bodd%2Bplumage%2Bsmallcmt.jpg Colin Talcroft Santa Rosa Subject: Rufous-crowned Sparrows - Pine Mt. Rd From: "Stephen" <diomedea.stephen AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:13:43 -0000 Birders, I've been stuck on 249 species in Marin for a while now, so I decided to try for Rufous-crowned Sparrow on Pine Mountain Road. This is a hiking road; parking at the trailhead is on Bolinas-Fairfax Road, near mile marker 3.80. Arrived at 8:48 AM to a gloriously beautiful day -- high overcast, ZERO wind, and the kind of "sharp" air that made the Farallons stand-out like they were five miles offshore. [Note: You can't see the Farallons from the part of Pine Mt. Rd. I was on, but you have a beautiful vista of the Bay and the East Bay. The "no wind" aspect was very welcomed since I assumed that I would only hear the Rufous-crowned Sparrows. But it was curiously quiet. Silent, on might say. An occasional WRENTIT song, a distant NORTHERN FLICKER, and two SPOTTED TOWHEES were the sum total of singing birds. Nevertheless, about 1/3rd of a mile from the trailhead, I pished up two RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, who then obliged by sitting on top of a bush about 15 meters away for a half-minute or so; beautiful looks. Several BAND-TAILED PIGEONS flew over and male ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were sitting on bushtops, orienting their gorgets to the sun for maximum effect. If I hadn't seen my 250th county species on this short hike, I would have counted the hearing of Foothill Yellow-legged Frog as the highlight of the hike and the day. I don't know for sure that this Mt. Tam watershed population has yet suffered chytrid infestation, but congeners of this species are highly susceptible and its just a matter of time -- when it hits, the entire population is likely to be wiped-out. Kent Lake had a single female COMMON MERGANSER; a male & female pair were seen on Bolinas Lagoon. On Bolinas Lagoon, it seems that WILLETs are massing in advance of migration. (I also saw huge Willet flocks yesterday at Coyote Hills in Alameda Cty.) Along SR-1 in Olema Valley, a female SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was perched on a telephone pole. Sharpies seem (to me) more prevalent this winter than in the recent past, even to the point of having seen more of them than of Cooper's. Another definite highlight of this beautiful day in West Marin, this one of a hydrographic nature, was Nicasio Reservoir. Water was flowing down the spillway! A lot!! The Reservoir is completely full. I haven't seen that in a number of years, and in mid-January (the 17th, to be exact), I commented to a friend that it was dryer than I had ever seen it, with large patches of the lake bottom revealed. Good birding, Stephen Long Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California Berkeley, CA 94720 diomedea at berkeley dot edu Subject: CA. Burrowing Owl Symposium Slated for Sonoma (9-11-2010) From: "torusert" <sonomanature AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:15:24 -0000 On Saturday, September 11th from 10:00-4:00PM at Viansa Wetlands and Winery the science and citizen science community will gather to focus on the Western Burrowing Owl. The current status in Western United States and specifically the Bay Area along with helpful initiatives and breakout sessions on habitat restoration, monitoring, banding and pubic education will be offered. Currently, multiple organizations, agencies, private land owners, consultants and clubs associated with birding are actively working together gathering the most current information possible for the North Bay and surrounds in preparation for the symposium. Google maps, GPS, eBird, and existing maps and records are assisting the effort. For more information on the event or to assist with updating current information please contact us at - http://www.sonomabirding.org/. Thanks, Tom Rusert Sonoma California Subject: More activity on Richardson Bay From: "wilcox_kerry" <kwilcox AT audubon.org> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:27:30 -0000 As of 4pm today in Richardson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, another big group of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORTANTS (~1000), BROWN PELICANS (~70) and GULLS (~500) were all fighting over fish, presumably (another herring run?). Many more birds on the bay compared to yesterday's survey, which was relatively quiet. Kerry Wilcox Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary Tiburon Subject: Kenwood local interest From: "Ruth Rudesill" <ruthier AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 20:25:53 -0800 This afternoon, between the hailstorms, there was a male Slate -colored Junco at my feeders in Kenwood (Sonoma Valley.) Walked around Spring Lake Reg Park in the am, but not a lot of bird activity. Very few ducks on the lake (Bufflehead and Common Goldeneyes) and it was flooding slightly. Good birding, when the rain stops, Ruthie Rudesill Kenwood Sonoma Co [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Las Gallinas: Great Blue Heron tangled in fishing line From: "Joan" <joan AT joanrobins.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:22:07 -0000 Hi Birders, I just posted two pictures in an NBB group album. Album title is Las Gallinas posted by robinsj4. I took these pictures on Feb 22 and didn't realize what I had until later when I brought them up on my computer. The GBH seems to be able to get around, walking and flying, but I fear that he will get caught somewhere. Maggie Rufo suggested that I post the pictures so we can all be on the lookout for a GBH in distress in the Las Gallinas area. If you do find a bird in distress, call the Marin Humane Society at 883-4621. If they are able to capture the bird, they'll transport it to WildCare. Thanks! Joan Subject: Las Gallinas Ponds 02/28/10 From: Maggie Rufo <magwhls AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 15:42:28 +0000 (UTC) Birders, I'm not sure if this is report-worthy, but I've never seen them there before: a large flock of band-tailed pigeons foraging in the green field. Yesterday seemed like a glorious day to be a bird! Big swarms of insects and all the birds really seemed so lively and happy to have a sunny day. But maybe I'm projecting. There's a whole new wetlands area right now, just past "The Vine" center where the field is flooded and full of dabbling ducks, shorebirds, geese and crows. Along that area of the road a gorgeous pair of Western Bluebirds enjoying the insect swarms, as well as Yellow-rumped Warblers. Some other interesting things: I believe it was a Forester's Tern I saw flying over Pond 2. A trio of Red-shouldered Hawks all the way out by the yellow shed. Lots of calling and flying from tower to tower. I find it interesting whenever I see them out in open habitat like that because I think of them more as hawks found where there are trees. I actually came upon one of the hawks bathing in a puddle where there is a sort of cairn of large rocks near that yellow shed and a perfect bathing area for birds has formed. The hawk then flew up on one of those rocks and then up to one of the electrical towers where it roused frequently to dry its feathers. The RS's were not happy when a Red-tail showed up. Also, a group of Ring-neck Ducks on Pond 1 (I don't feel confident on that ID but I can't think of any other duck I'd see around here that has the bill with the ring at the tip.) I saw 37 species total. Maggie Rufo Novato In wildness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau Subject: Bodega From: "Sharon Salisbury" <daisy44 AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:50:22 -0800 Had a wonderful, sunny, CALM day at Bodega, Sunday, Feb. 28. At the Head we saw all 3 kinds of Cormorants with Brandt's and Pelagic in breeding plumage. There were also Brown pelicans and 2 Oyster Catchers, lots of Western Gulls, one Glaucus-winged a large raft of black and white small birds which we think were Common Murres but too far off to call and 3 Great Egrets hunting on the greened hills behind the Head. We also got a great look at an Osprey perched on top of a high pole eating a 2-foot long fish, which he flew off with over the bay. Also saw several Kestrels.On the bay were hundreds of Brandt's, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks, several Horned Grebes, Western Grebes, Common Loons, Surf Scoters, one Common female Goldeneye, one lone female Red-Breasted Merganser, one Red-Throated Loon and at our last stop(parking lot across from pier) there was a handsome pair of RB Mergansers, a Brown Pelican in breeding plumage, several Willets all taking baths, one Wimbrel, one Black Turnstone, standing next to a Ruddy Turnstone, both in breeding plumage. As we were leaving hundreds of Marbled Godwits flew in and on the way out we saw many RT Hawks and one RS Hawk. No whales but lots of sea lions. Best of all, I found my old Peterson guidebook, which had been missing for years with my (then) lifelist in it including birds in Hawaii and Europe. A good day. Sharon Salisbury Mill Valley [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Spring NAB Reports From: "AJSearcy" <serpophaga AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:09:42 -0000 Greetings NAB contributors, As Ed said in the previous message, the winter season (1DEC through 28FEB) has ended. Please submit observations from MARIN County to me by 10 March. Note below that my email address has one more consonant than that listed in Ed's post. Thank you for your contributions. Cheers, Adam Searcy serpophaga AT gmail.com 2420 Balmoral Ct. Camarillo, CA 93010 Subject: Re: Mergansers at Rodeo Beach From: WGDLegge AT aol.com Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:05:01 -0500 Karen, You were pretty much spot on in your observation. Female/1st year Mergansers (both Common and Red-breasted) have largely white secondaries which is I suspect what you observed. I undertook a circuit of the lagoon earlier on Sunday morning and counted four Common Mergansers (including the adult male) and 1 female Red-breasted Merganser at the western end of the main lagoon (two of trhe latter were present on Saturday). There have been up to 10 of the former and 4 of the latter at this site this winter. Hoping the Common Mergansers stay and breed again this year. Other highlights from my visit to the lagoon this weekend included: 4 Common Goldeneye 1 male Bufflehead 9 Wild Turkey (near the Visitor Center) 1 Green Heron (the in-residence 1st year bird) 1 female-type Northern Harrier 1 male Allen's Hummingbird (Visitor Center car park) 1 House Wren in song Only two River Otters seen this weekend and several Harbor Seals offshore. Good birding! William Legge Mill Valley, CA -----Original Message----- From: Karen Jo Rippens To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sun, Feb 28, 2010 5:01 pm Subject: [NBB] Mergansers at Rodeo Beach My husband and I had a pleasant walk at Rodeo beach this afternoon and I didn't take my binos because I just wanted to enjoy the beach. Right! We decided to check out the beach end of the lagoon and there were Mergansers there. :-> Crept up close enough to make out two females and a male Common Merganser waddling along, and further down the beach two more females. I have good enough distance vision (and they weren't that far away) to be clear about this, but I do have one question. The closer females both had distinct white wing bands, which - according to The Sibley Guide - is typical of nonbreeding adults. And this is breeding season. Anyone? Karen Jo Rippens Terra Linda, San Rafael, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: PRFA at Crane Creek, again... From: "Bill Doyle" <bill.doyle AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:34:39 -0800 This morning, at Crane Creek Regional Park, Helen Kochenderfer and I had a very pale Prairie Falcon in a large oak just west of the park boundary, on the NW corner of the park. This is the same tree in which I saw and reported a PRFA a month or so ago, and seems to be the same bird. Bill Doyle Santa Rosa [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mergansers at Rodeo Beach From: "Karen Jo Rippens" <krippens AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:01:02 -0800 My husband and I had a pleasant walk at Rodeo beach this afternoon and I didn't take my binos because I just wanted to enjoy the beach. Right! We decided to check out the beach end of the lagoon and there were Mergansers there. :-> Crept up close enough to make out two females and a male Common Merganser waddling along, and further down the beach two more females. I have good enough distance vision (and they weren't that far away) to be clear about this, but I do have one question. The closer females both had distinct white wing bands, which - according to The Sibley Guide - is typical of nonbreeding adults. And this is breeding season. Anyone? Karen Jo Rippens Terra Linda, San Rafael, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl Survey in Sonoma From: Bob Power <rcpower AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:40:45 -0800 (PST) We should all applaud and appreciate Tom's efforts and outreach, and at the same time, it's important to support the efforts of a very dedicated contingent of birders working very hard to protect Antioch's Burrowing Owls. There is no lack of targets for finger-pointing at owl-eviction specialists, as you go around the bay, whichever county or city we live in. There's a CaliforniaBurrowingOwlConsortium google group where this discussion will continue for some time on many different fronts.  Those interested in the issue might consider signing up and staying informed. Good birding, Bob Power Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Reversing the Trend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihetYuxOFY --- On Fri, 2/26/10, gd4bird wrote: From: gd4bird Subject: [NBB] Burrowing Owl Survey in Sonoma To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, February 26, 2010, 9:33 AM   Tom Rusert of Sonoma Birding is leading this effort! Nice to hear of a community wanting to help these owls, unlike Antioch, which wants them gone gone gone. Maggie Rufo Novato News Bringing home burrowing owls BURROWING OWLS ONCE nested all over Sonoma Valley, but now are only seen during the winter. One Valley resident is hoping to change that. By Emily Charrier-Botts INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Published: Thu 2/25 7 PM Valley birder Tom Rusert is tapping a number of conservation organizations to help reestablish the burrowing owl population in Sonoma, but they need area residents to help make it happen. For decades, burrowing owls nested in colonies throughout the tall grasslands of Northern California, but now the birds have almost completely disappeared from the Bay Area. The last time a burrowing owl was recorded nesting in the area was at Skaggs Island in 1986. Since then, single birds have been recorded during the annual Christmas Bird Count, but the owls have not reclaimed a home in this area. "That's largely because the habitat has been altered to meet agricultural needs," Rusert said. According to the Institute for Bird Populations, there was a 27 percent decrease in the burrowing owl population in the Bay Area over the last 10 years. While the birds could live here year-round, they have only been recorded as winter residents in recent years. "They were nesting here and because of the changing landscape, they moved on," Rusert said. In September, Rusert plans to host an owl symposium that will not only educate the public, but will also bring together interest groups like the Sonoma Land Trust, the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the Institute for Bird Population and the Burrowing Owl Preservation Society to discuss ways to protect the burrowing owls from further population decline. "It's a time for all these agencies to be together and discuss this issue," Rusert said. "They're (the owls) still here, we still have a chance to do something, but we need to act." But prior to the symposium, Rusert wants to get a better idea of where the birds are wintering in Sonoma Valley right now, and he needs the public's help. While Rusert has been closely monitoring public lands by working with organizations like the Sonoma Land Trust, research indicates 90 percent of burrowing owls live on rural, privately owned land. "If we can see what type of habitat they feel safe in, we might be able to expand that," Rusert said. He is asking interested residents to keep an eye out for the owl, and report any sighting. The bird is most commonly seen in low-lying grass lands and rough pastures, although recent studies suggest the birds have grown accustomed to less natural habitats, and may even nest in abandoned structures. Normally they require open habitats that contain potential nesting burrows, usually with short grasses and sparse shrubs. Rusert said he is happy to visit properties with environments suitable for the owls if landowners do not want to search the land themselves, he just needs permission to enter. "I'm going to begin getting access and a baseline of information now," Rusert said, adding that numerous private land owners, such as Viansa Winery, are already on board. "Maybe, just maybe, we can bring them back to their rightful home." To report an owl sighting or inquire about having a property monitored, contact Rusert at sonomanature AT gmail.com or 939-8007 (be sure to provide specific information about where and when the owl was seen). Learn more about burrowing owls at www.burrowingowlpre servation. org. Copyright © 2010 - sonomanews.com Subject: Burrowing Owl Survey in Sonoma From: "gd4bird" <magwhls AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:33:42 -0000 Tom Rusert of Sonoma Birding is leading this effort! Nice to hear of a community wanting to help these owls, unlike Antioch, which wants them gone gone gone. Maggie Rufo Novato News Bringing home burrowing owls BURROWING OWLS ONCE nested all over Sonoma Valley, but now are only seen during the winter. One Valley resident is hoping to change that. By Emily Charrier-Botts INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Published: Thu 2/25 7 PM Valley birder Tom Rusert is tapping a number of conservation organizations to help reestablish the burrowing owl population in Sonoma, but they need area residents to help make it happen. For decades, burrowing owls nested in colonies throughout the tall grasslands of Northern California, but now the birds have almost completely disappeared from the Bay Area. The last time a burrowing owl was recorded nesting in the area was at Skaggs Island in 1986. Since then, single birds have been recorded during the annual Christmas Bird Count, but the owls have not reclaimed a home in this area. "That's largely because the habitat has been altered to meet agricultural needs," Rusert said. According to the Institute for Bird Populations, there was a 27 percent decrease in the burrowing owl population in the Bay Area over the last 10 years. While the birds could live here year-round, they have only been recorded as winter residents in recent years. "They were nesting here and because of the changing landscape, they moved on," Rusert said. In September, Rusert plans to host an owl symposium that will not only educate the public, but will also bring together interest groups like the Sonoma Land Trust, the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the Institute for Bird Population and the Burrowing Owl Preservation Society to discuss ways to protect the burrowing owls from further population decline. "It's a time for all these agencies to be together and discuss this issue," Rusert said. "They're (the owls) still here, we still have a chance to do something, but we need to act." But prior to the symposium, Rusert wants to get a better idea of where the birds are wintering in Sonoma Valley right now, and he needs the public's help. While Rusert has been closely monitoring public lands by working with organizations like the Sonoma Land Trust, research indicates 90 percent of burrowing owls live on rural, privately owned land. "If we can see what type of habitat they feel safe in, we might be able to expand that," Rusert said. He is asking interested residents to keep an eye out for the owl, and report any sighting. The bird is most commonly seen in low-lying grass lands and rough pastures, although recent studies suggest the birds have grown accustomed to less natural habitats, and may even nest in abandoned structures. Normally they require open habitats that contain potential nesting burrows, usually with short grasses and sparse shrubs. Rusert said he is happy to visit properties with environments suitable for the owls if landowners do not want to search the land themselves, he just needs permission to enter. "I'm going to begin getting access and a baseline of information now," Rusert said, adding that numerous private land owners, such as Viansa Winery, are already on board. "Maybe, just maybe, we can bring them back to their rightful home." To report an owl sighting or inquire about having a property monitored, contact Rusert at sonomanature AT gmail.com or 939-8007 (be sure to provide specific information about where and when the owl was seen). Learn more about burrowing owls at www.burrowingowlpreservation.org. Copyright © 2010 - sonomanews.com Subject: Harriers vocalizing. From: mary morrison <mmorrison53 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:10:09 -0800 www.birds.cornell.org is the Audubon-Cornell U site that has a field guide that includes sounds (as well as many other projects) www.whatbird.com is a free site that has a bird guide including sound. The App for iPhone has bird sounds with the guide if you can afford an iphone/service. Mary Morrison San Rafael, CA -- Mary [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Suburban Santa Rosa Birds, including an osprey and an odd downy woodpecker From: "Ctalcroft" <ctalcroft AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:21:24 -0000 I used a free hour and a half today to take a walk along one of the creeks near my house--about a three-minute drive away--to look for birds on a strip of land there about 50-feet wide on either side of the creek. (Accessible from Arroyo Sierra Dr., between Summerfield Rd. and Hoen Ave., in Santa Rosa.) I saw many birds, including dark-eyed juncos, turkey vultures (14), a belted kingfisher (which was something of a surprise; I've never seen one so close to home before.) I saw ruby-crowned kinglets, California towhees, scrub jays, three brown creepers, yellow-rumped warblers, chestnut-backed chickadees, Nuttall's woodpeckers, robins (10), crows (6), bushtits, house finches, a mallard, an oak titmouse, American and lesser goldfinches, black phoebes, a raptor that went by too quickly to identify (but probably a Cooper's hawk), and, improbably, an Osprey. I've never seen an osprey in suburban Santa Rosa before. The bird was soaring at a very high elevation, not anywhere near water, so at first I doubted my eyes, but nothing else made sense. It was an osprey (and the location is only about two miles from Lake Ralphine). Also of interest was a rather oddly colored female downy woodpecker. I'm almost certain the bird was a downy, but the markings are somehow shifted. There was almost no speckling on the very plain black wings, and the bird did not have the usual white stripe down the back, although I did not get a very good look at it from behind. The photo below was hastily snapped, but shows enough to get an idea. Considering the short time I spent, I saw a solid 22 species. A photo of the downy woodpecker is here. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2elorB2OitM/S4dmwu1fMaI/AAAAAAAABGU/d30_pYevDKg/s1600/woodpecker%2Bsmallcmt.jpg Subject: Harriers vocalizing. From: "richa" <Rrarik AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:15:42 -0000 As luck would have it, it was near dark again but the white rump was evident. This is a new yard bird for me. The sounds, however, surprised me. At first I thought I might have a Pileated Woodpecker in my yard. This pair of hawks was involved in what, hopefully, could be mating behavior. Anyone know of a site that plays bird sounds? Elsewhere on Hargrave Ave in the Santa Rosa Plain, was a Cooper's Hawk chasing a group of pheasants. I would have thought this too large a target, and he didn't get any. Other hawks resident include a pair of Kites (hoping they finally nest this year)and a pair of Red Shouldered. Oh, Kestrels of course. Subject: Hybrid Blue Wing x Cinnamon Teal at Ellis Creek From: "fcox_1946" <frank_c AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:47:42 -0000 There's a male hybrid Cinnamon x Blue wing teal in the vernal 'first pond' at Ellis Creek - cinnamon body with multiple speckles, a faint half moon crescent between the bill and eye with a small white line above the eye - Many thanks to Steve Howell and Amber Wingert of PRBO, for spotting this bird & giving me he tip! Frank Cox San Rafael Subject: EBIRD.ORG NEW FEATURE From: "MaryM" <perfect53 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:28:05 -0000 From EBIRD: Birding News and Features New Feature: eBird State Needs Alert! February 24, 2010 We've just launched a new tool that will help birders find new birds at the state level--the eBird State Needs Alert. By subscribing to this alert, you'll get an email alert every day highlighting the birds that have been reported in a state that you haven't seen before. This tool compares all the birds you've reported in a state with the new reports coming in, and then sends you a list of the reports for species that you have not yet personally reported to eBird. This tool will make it easier for you to keep abreast of recent records of birds you might want to see in a given state that might not necessarily be rare enough to make it to the eBird Notable Birds Google Gadget. www.ebird.org When you keep a tally at ebird.org, or upload to ebird.organy list that you tally to another site, ebird.org will alert you to any bird not on your life list (within your state). It's a good thing. Subject: Richardson Bay From: "wilcox_kerry" <kwilcox AT audubon.org> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:07:25 -0000 Lots of action on Richardson Bay this afternoon, as 1500+ cormorants and at least 80 Brown Pelicans leap frog each other apparently chasing scaly prey. Plenty of rafting ducks (1000+) and gulls (~500) nearby as well. Another herring run? Kerry Wilcox Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary Tiburon Subject: Coopers Hawks at SSU From: Becky Olsen <ryderbird AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:53:07 +0000 (UTC) The pair of Cooper's hawks have returned to SSU (Sonoma State University) for (hopefully!) another successful breeding season.  I observed the pair today in their ususal spot, the redwood trees in front of the Boiler Plant.  This is the time of year I start looking for them and they haven't disappointed me yet. Becky Olsen Petaluma [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Not in my bird sanctuary, you don't... From: "lbvireo" <lbviman AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:10:58 -0000 Bob - regardless of who gets the proceeds, it is common practice to PAY for one-time use and GIVE credit to any photographer. Anyone who "takes without just compensation" in my opinion is not better than a common thief. Several years ago, Santa Barbara News-Press used a tiny (2x1.5 inch) image of a Snowy Plover that was mine, no doubt taken from AP online which had paid me to use it "once". I informed SBN-P that they neither asked for nor received permission to use my photo, told them what I could "normally get", and within a few days, without any other contact (no doubt in order to avoid potential lawsuit for copyright infringement - which I did NOT threaten), a check came in the mail for the specified amount. You might consider this, especially if you want your work to both be recognized and proceeds go to what you consider a good cause. Just a suggestion. Bird lovers and bird photographers every where are equally as important, and deserve the right to protec the fruits of their labors, no matter to whom the fruit goes! Contact me off list for suggested "value" if interested in seeing your chosen recipient receive same - my approach may not always work (as it did not when an Audubon chapter "stole" my work without asking or giving credit, and never replied to my email about that theft), but it is always worth a shot. Without mutual respect for our endeavors, what point calling ourselves either civilized or polite? - Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls MT --- In northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Bob Dyer" wrote: > > Article is positive but i would like to point out that all the photos are mine and I cannot find any request to use them and there is not even any attempt to give me credit. I could have helped her with the captions. I think she got these from my forum for Petaluma Wetlands Alliance on Petaluma360. Most of these photos are available in 50 Shollenberger Birds, to which I donated my art. I sell the book with all funds going to O.W.L. to support the Petaluma River Council's efforts to defeat the asphalt plant. Any requests for books should be directed to me. [snipped for brevity] Subject: Huichica Rails From: "emwood94559" <emwood94559 AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:40:31 -0000 Last evening hoping for Short-eared Owls, I spent an hour or so at the NW pond at Huichica (right next to parking lot). I sat in the hide and had great views of Sora and Virginia Rail. Unfortunately no SEO, but I did see 2 GHO as I drove through Carneros back to Napa, Matt Subject: Eurasian Collared Dove Santa Rosa, Sonoma County From: "Doug Shaw" <dougshaw09 AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:01:49 -0800 Hi All, I have been seeing 1-2 of this species flying over my yard a few times in the past year, but never perched. Early, this morning 2/21 arriving home after work I got out of my car and immediately heard the calls of an Eurasian Collared Dove. The bird was perched atop a telephone pole in the neighboring Redwood Village Mobile Home Park in northern Santa Rosa off of Airport Blvd. near the Old Redwood Hwy. There may have been a second bird calling in the distance. Doug Shaw Santa Rosa, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Not in my bird sanctuary, you don't... From: "Bob Dyer" <nrdyer AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:06:24 -0800 Article is positive but i would like to point out that all the photos are mine and I cannot find any request to use them and there is not even any attempt to give me credit. I could have helped her with the captions. I think she got these from my forum for Petaluma Wetlands Alliance on Petaluma360. Most of these photos are available in 50 Shollenberger Birds, to which I donated my art. I sell the book with all funds going to O.W.L. to support the Petaluma River Council's efforts to defeat the asphalt plant. Any requests for books should be directed to me. ----- Original Message ----- From: Shollenberger Park To: greenaction AT yahoogroups.com ; northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com ; sustainablepetaluma AT yahoogroups.com ; SonomaWildlife AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 12:01 PM Subject: [NBB] Not in my bird sanctuary, you don't... Here is a great article on Shollenberger Park with lots of great photos. Thanks to the folks at Daily Kos! http://bit.ly/cPjCW6 "For a year and a half now, my pastoral California town has been menaced by the threat of a stinky, black, nasty asphalt plant in the name of the Dutra Family -- five-time heavyweight champions of being fined ONE MILLION BUCKS for dumping waste into the ocean. Our 165-acre nature preserve, wetlands, and bird sanctuary, Shollenberger Park is nestled along an oceanic estuary which flows through my historic town, serving as a haven for both people, animals, and aquatic plants, as well as housing the beloved local spotted salamander who mucks up California mass transit year after year (much to the delightful confusion of environmentalists in area)." Click here to read the entire post: http://bit.ly/cPjCW6 -- Help Save Shollenberger Park http://www.SaveShollenberger.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Not in my bird sanctuary, you don't... From: Shollenberger Park <saveshollenberger AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:01:58 -0800 Here is a great article on Shollenberger Park with lots of great photos. Thanks to the folks at Daily Kos! http://bit.ly/cPjCW6 "For a year and a half now, my pastoral California town has been menaced by the threat of a stinky, black, nasty asphalt plant in the name of the Dutra Family -- five-time heavyweight champions of being fined ONE MILLION BUCKS for dumping waste into the ocean. Our 165-acre nature preserve, wetlands, and bird sanctuary, Shollenberger Park is nestled along an oceanic estuary which flows through my historic town, serving as a haven for both people, animals, and aquatic plants, as well as housing the beloved local spotted salamander who mucks up California mass transit year after year (much to the delightful confusion of environmentalists in area)." Click here to read the entire post: http://bit.ly/cPjCW6 -- Help Save Shollenberger Park http://www.SaveShollenberger.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: Gull ID? From: Logan Kahle <logan.kahle AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:20:33 -0800 (PST) first winter, to be more precise ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Cindy McCluskey To: northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sat, February 20, 2010 9:16:28 PM Subject: [NBB] Gull ID? This is a Heermann's Gull. :) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Las Gallinas 2/20/10 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:40:47 -0800 (PST) Birded Las Gallinas this afternoon from about 3 - 6:15 p.m. joined for some of the time by local biologist Daniel Edelstein. Some of the highlights were 8 species of raptors: Northern Harrier (8-10), White-tailed Kite (2), Cooper's Hawk (adult female) Sharp-shinned Hawk (AHY), Osprey, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk (3, including one Dark morph) and American Kestrel. We also observed our FOS VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS (~10) over pond 1 which had (3) continuing Common Mergansers and (4) Lesser Scaup. An additional (3) Common Mergansers were on pond 2. A Turkey Vulture was devouring the remains of a raccoon in the reeds at the southeast corner of pond 1. Walking out on the levee toward the south end of the Hamilton Wetlands restoration project I heard at least a half-dozen CLAPPER RAILS "kek"ing from the marsh. Didn't detect any Black Rails this time. Scoping out on the bay from the end of the public access trail I saw (8) American White Pelicans and (~20) Forster's Terns roosting on remains of a pier. There were (28) LONG-BILLED CURLEWS foraging in the flooded sections of the alfalfa fields east of the levee. I then looked for the White-throated Sparrow reported yesterday by Michael Park. The Zonotrichia flock was in the same area as described previously (in baccharis near the row of pine trees) but I couldn't relocate the WT. As I walked back to my car in the waning light I had a Green Heron fly-over heading east and a few minutes later a Barn Owl flew over heading in the opposite direction. Good birding, Dominik Mosur San Francisco Subject: Gull ID? From: "Cindy McCluskey" <grey AT greypaper.com> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:16:28 -0800 This is a Heermann's Gull. :) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Gull ID? From: "rhysingup" <rhysingup AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:32:54 -0000 While visiting the Marin coast, I spotted a gull quite different than all the others in the area. Probably a common species, that was just hanging out with all the others, but I photographed it anyway. It was smaller than the rest and quite a bit darker. http://www.cygnusstudios.com/Clients/Stock-Images/Gulls/DSC3249/793090774_pkFrs-L.jpg Steve Bryan Rohnert Park Subject: Richardson Bay and White-throated Sparrow at Las Gallinas From: "Michael" <dpbot AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:00:22 -0000 I got a late start today (which is better than the usual "no-start") by skipping an academic talk and leaving the office early. Richardson Bay was somewhat sheltered, but the wind eventually started picking up. There was no sign of the Long-tailed Duck, but I did see the putative Bucephala hybrid. There were plenty of other ducks and the best of the bunch was a drake Red-breasted Merganser. I also amused myself with long distance views of Red-throated Loon. By this time, the wind really bit into my flesh and it was time to leave. I wanted to avoid traffic back to Berkeley and decided to spend time at Las Gallinas. There were many of the usual suspects in Pond 1, but sadly I didn't see Bonaparte's Gull. But from the vantage looking across Pond 2 to the division with Pond 3, I fortuitously had a Red-shouldered Hawk fly into my scope's view with some limp food-like item dangling from its beak. A short moment later, a Green Heron came into view. Best of all, at the end of the path to Pond 4, just before the left hand turn in Baccharis near some pines was a White-throated Sparrow mingling with a motley collection of Zonotrichia (the usual suspects -- White-crowned and Golden-crowned) and a Common Yellowthroat. Michael Park, Berkeley Subject: North Marin birds From: "Bob Battagin" <bigfootbob AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:21:56 -0800 Hi NBBers, This morning I did a loop around part of North Marin County: Hicks Valley Road, Marshall-Petaluma Road, Highway 1, Point Reyes-Petaluma Road. At the Bolinas Ridge section of Marshall-Petaluma Road there was a Ferruginous Hawk perched on a large rock. Just south of Marshall in Tomales Bay there was a Black Scoter and two White-winged Scoters. I stopped counting Surf Scoters when I passed 1500. In Nicasio Reservoir, near the Osprey nest post, there were six Wood Ducks, and in Hicks Valley I noticed a Barn Owl roosting in a Barn Owl nest box. Good birding, Bob Battagin Woodacre [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Email Addresses From: "Jon Winter" <wint AT tdl.com> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:53:22 -0800 Does anyone have a current email address for Ruth Rudesill and Rick Lebaudour? Jon Winter __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 3832 (20090206) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Long-tailed Duck From: "zygofoot" <byerbird AT sonic.net> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:19:32 -0000 Aha! I saw a Long-tailed Duck (looked just like the one in your photograph, Len) but couldn't I.D. it at the time of sighting. She was all by herself on a ranch pond just about a half mile southeast of Cardinal Newman High School. The ranch pond is on the east side of Old Redwood Highway. Thanks to your photograph, my mystery is solved. Cynthia Boyer Sonoma Vista Ranch Subject: Long-tailed Duck and Bucephala Hybrid From: Len Blumin <Len.blumin AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:10:22 -0800 Have posted photos of today's Long-tailed Duck and the Bucephala Hybrid (possible Bufflehead x Common Goldeneye) on the NBB website. Dave McKenzie kindly forwarded his shot of the hybird, which is included. See Album "Ducks on Richardson Bay". These ducks were seen 10-11am along the walking path parallel to Tiburon Blvd, looking out from the tennis court site at the junction of Rock Hill Rd. and Tiburon Blvd, east of Blackie's Pasture. This link may or may not work: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/northbaybirds/photos/album/1032331177/pic/list-- Cheers, Len Blumin, Mill Valley, California len.blumin AT gmail.com Swaro 80 HD, 30X, DCA, CoolPix 8400 http://www.flickriver.com/photos/lenblumin/sets/72157614994688364/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Odd Ducks on Richardson Bay From: Len Blumin <Len.blumin AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:01:49 -0800 Heads up, duck-lovers! Kerry Wilcox et. al. viewed an unusual duck(s) yesterday on Richardson Bay. I joined Jim White and Dave McKenzie there today. Location is in front of the tennis courts along Tiburon Blvd., opposite the Rock Hill Road traffic signal. There is a steep little access path at the east end of the tennis courts. Looking out through the fog I spotted a female Long-tailed Duck, and watched it preen for 15-20 minutes. Jim and Dave arrived shortly thereafter, and we spotted a strange black-and-white Bucephala-sized duck about 200 yards out, diving actively with Ruddy Ducks and Buffleheads. Two fog-softened shots of the female LT Duck (Oldsquaw, if you will) can be found at the links below, as well as the very marginal 200+ yard shot of the presumed Bucephala hybrid. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4368029561_7bf7a33d4f_o.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4368029651_eabc4da02a_o.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2735/4368029701_b839c8cc5d_o.jpg-- Cheers, Len Blumin, Mill Valley, California len.blumin AT gmail.com Swaro 80 HD, 30X, DCA, CoolPix 8400 http://www.flickriver.com/photos/lenblumin/sets/72157614994688364/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: WTSWs, etc. From: "Jules" <jevens AT svn.net> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:03:07 -0000 Good evening, birders. The warm weather today inspired White-throated Swifts to strafe Binford Road, Novato, entering and exiting the drainage holes in the Hwy 101 overpass. Could they nest here? Last week a Barred Owl (also a Saw-whet, rare lately) was calling in Point Reyes Station (Tomasini Canyon) and a pair of Bald Eagles displaying high in the sky over town. Cheers, Jules Subject: Marin/Napa 2-17-10 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:40:43 -0800 (PST) Went after some nemesis Marin County birds this morning. At 7 a.m. I started by biking/hiking north up Pine Mountain Road off the Bolinas-Fairfax road. A VARIED THRUSH flew over just as the sun rose. Spent the next three hours in what looked like decent habitat looking and listening for thrasher but without luck. Did see a YELLOW-SHAFTED Flicker with a brigh red nape and got great scopes looks of RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS in several spots in addition to hearing them sing. In a grassy area near the trail cut for Oat Hill/Carson Falls there was also a pair of WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, one of them was singing. Later tried Phoenix Lake but didn't see any wood ducks. There were (6) RING-NECKED DUCKS and one GREATER SCAUP on the water and many California Tortoishells and Mourning Cloaks flying. In the afternoon I drove out to the Huichica Creek Unit in Napa County (end of Buchli Station Road.) I spent a pleasant couple of hours there listening to multiple SORAS, VIRGINIA RAILS and watching FORSTER'S TERNS forage in the marsh. Right around 5 p.m. I first heard, then saw, (4) SHORT-EARED OWLS flying over the levee trail that runs south from the parking lot. After a few minutes of flying together in one area the owls all appeared to go their different ways. In the next 45 minutes I scoped individual Short-eared Owls as they in turn mobbed passing Northern Harriers, chased after Black-bellied Plovers/Dunlin/Killdeer and sat on the ground. Unfortunately, as I was leaving Huichica, I also witnessed two Australian Shepherds chasing one of the Short-eared owls. The signs at the refuge say dogs aren't allowed from March 2nd through June to protect nesting birds. Good birding, Dominik Mosur San Francisco Subject: Re: Mystery duck, Richardson Bay From: "wilcox_kerry" <kwilcox AT audubon.org> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:31:02 -0000 Bob Power just pointed out that the mystery duck sounded like a Bufflehead hybrid. I found a photo online that looks almost identical to the bird we saw. It is identified as a possible BUFFLEHEAD x COMMON GOLDENEYE hybrid! Sounds as if we may have the answer! Thanks, Bob! Kerry Wilcox Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary Tiburon See: http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=10&pos=11 --- In northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com, "wilcox_kerry" wrote: > > Sorry for the late post. Earlier today during a regular waterbird survey at approximately 12:30pm, I spotted an unusual diving duck within the Audubon Sanctuary waters and within a few hundred yards of the Tiburon bike path. > > The duck was a bit larger than the Buffleheads it was seen with originally. It had a dark, stout bill, similar in shape to a Goldeneye bill. The forehead, crown, nape, neck, back, undertail coverts and tail were dark and the dark covered the eye. The cheek below the eye, throat, breast and flanks were clean white. It also had a bit of a crest that was most prominant near the back of the head and when in good light gave off a bit of a green sheen. The feet were reddish/orange. > > Several other birders including Jim White and Helen Lindqvist saw the bird later with me, and we watched it forage for at least 20 minutes. It spent most of the time diving and stay under water for what seemed to be up to a minute at a time, often moving significant distance before surfacing. Jim tried to get some photos, and if they were successful we will definitely post them. > > It was last seen moving northeast towards Blackie's Pasture. We'd love it some other experienced birders were able to find it again!! > > Kerry Wilcox > Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary > Tiburon > Subject: Mystery duck, Richardson Bay From: "wilcox_kerry" <kwilcox AT audubon.org> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:36:15 -0000 Sorry for the late post. Earlier today during a regular waterbird survey at approximately 12:30pm, I spotted an unusual diving duck within the Audubon Sanctuary waters and within a few hundred yards of the Tiburon bike path. The duck was a bit larger than the Buffleheads it was seen with originally. It had a dark, stout bill, similar in shape to a Goldeneye bill. The forehead, crown, nape, neck, back, undertail coverts and tail were dark and the dark covered the eye. The cheek below the eye, throat, breast and flanks were clean white. It also had a bit of a crest that was most prominant near the back of the head and when in good light gave off a bit of a green sheen. The feet were reddish/orange. Several other birders including Jim White and Helen Lindqvist saw the bird later with me, and we watched it forage for at least 20 minutes. It spent most of the time diving and stay under water for what seemed to be up to a minute at a time, often moving significant distance before surfacing. Jim tried to get some photos, and if they were successful we will definitely post them. It was last seen moving northeast towards Blackie's Pasture. We'd love it some other experienced birders were able to find it again!! Kerry Wilcox Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary Tiburon Subject: Sonoma County Breed Bird Atlas Training Course From: Veronica Bowers <vlbowers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:36:24 -0800 Hello North Bay Birders, This is a call for volunteers - and an excellent learning opportunity! Madrone Audubon Society will begin data collection for the second edition of the Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas starting Spring of 2011 and finishing in 2016. Data was collected for the first edition between 1986 to 1991 and published in 1995. Oh how time flies! In preparation for data collection for the second edition, Madrone Audubon Society will offer a 9-session training for project volunteers. Training will cover such topics as bird identification brush-ups, bird song recognition, interpreting bird behavior, nest-finding strategies and protocols, and data management techniques. The course is free, however; course participants are expected to fulfill their commitment as a Sonoma County BBA volunteer when project begins Spring 2011. There will be three classroom meetings - two to get started with the field season and one to wrap up. Six sessions will be held in the field, in various locations and habitats throughout Sonoma County. Lisa Hug, experienced birder, teacher, and naturalist, will be teaching the course. *For training dates and to register for the Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas training, please visit Madrone's website at: **http://audubon.sonoma.net* We are also seeking members for a Sonoma County BBA technical committee. If you have excellent bird identification skills, thorough understanding and knowledge of breeding birds in Sonoma County and the BBA process, please contact either of the following individuals: Bob Speckels, BBA Committee Co-Chair: robertspeckels AT yahoo.com Veronica Bowers, BBA Committee Co-Chair: vlbowers AT gmail.com If you have participated with other BBA projects and would like to sign up now to volunteer for the Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas, please contact us! Thanks for your time! We look forward to hearing from you! Veronica Bowers Madrone Audubon Society -- Veronica Bowers, Director The Songbird Hospital of Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue Dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of native passerines www.songbirdhospital.org (707) 484-6502 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Barred Owl hooting near Muir Woods NM (2/14)? From: "KenS" <kschnei1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:15:28 -0000 As a follow up, several experienced local birders were kind enough to email me offline and confirm this observation as a Barred Owl. I didn't know these owls were regular at this location. Ken Schneider --- In northbaybirds AT yahoogroups.com, "KenS" wrote: > > I heard possible Barred Owl hooting near Muir Woods this evening. For about ten minutes, an owl was loudly hooting a "who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you" series. I did not hear a "you-all" ending at any point. A link to a point-and-shoot camera "video" clip of the hooting is below - it's about one minute long and has a couple of examples of the hooting spaced 20-30 seconds apart. You have to really crank up your speakers to hear the sounds - my apologies. > > Sadly, this is the first Strix sp. I've heard in California and I think it's probably a Barred Owl. Comments on the ID would be welcome. I'm aware of the NPS reporting form for these owls... > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/zonotrichia/4358733690/ > > Ken Schneider > Redwood City > Subject: White-throated Sparrow at Stinson Gulch From: Bob Battagin <bigfootbob AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:53:37 -0800 (PST) Hi NBBers, This morning at Stinson Gulch a White-throated Sparrow was in with a flock of Golden-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. After parking at the Stinson Gulch pull-out next to the Stinson Elementary School along Highway 1 north of the town of Stinson Beach, follow the road in a couple hundred yards, veering to the right at the fork, until just before the pump building. The sparrow was in the restoration site to the left foraging in the new hay ground cover. A minima Cackling Goose and a Greater White-fronted Goose, as well as dozens of Wilson's Snipes, persist at Warren Weber's Pumpkin Patch. I counted six Eurasian Wigeons and one Green-winged Teal x Eurasian Green-winged Teal intergrade in Bolinas Lagoon. Good birding, Bob Battagin Woodacre [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birds Of Local Interest/Seasonal Sightings: Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds From: Daniel Edelstein <edelstein AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:36:59 -0500 (EST) Birds Of Local Interest/Seasonal Sightings: Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds, S. Rafael, Marin Co. 2/15/10 * No vagrants or casual visitors to report, but it was interesting to note: - COMMON MERGANSER (3 female on Pond 1's island/mud bank; 1 female swimming in Pond 2) - Singing and calling SAY's PHOEBE throughout the area where I walked to the trail's end approximately 2.5 miles from the parking lot. Best of birding to all, Daniel Edelstein Novato, CA (Bay Area) & Ellison Bay, WI http://www.warblerwatch.com My two popular blog sites: 1) http://warblerwatch.blogspot.com (devoted to wood-warblers) 2) http://danielsmerrittclasses.blogspot.com (focused on classes I teach at Merritt College in Oakland, CA, including information about how to register for my next one -- "Bird Song Ecology/Birding By Ear" -- that begins in 4/10) 12 Kingfisher Court Novato, CA 94949-6628 USA 415-382-1827 (voice & DSL fax) Subject: Barred Owl hooting near Muir Woods NM (2/14)? From: "KenS" <kschnei1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:40:01 -0000 I heard possible Barred Owl hooting near Muir Woods this evening. For about ten minutes, an owl was loudly hooting a "who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you" series. I did not hear a "you-all" ending at any point. A link to a point-and-shoot camera "video" clip of the hooting is below - it's about one minute long and has a couple of examples of the hooting spaced 20-30 seconds apart. You have to really crank up your speakers to hear the sounds - my apologies. Sadly, this is the first Strix sp. I've heard in California and I think it's probably a Barred Owl. Comments on the ID would be welcome. I'm aware of the NPS reporting form for these owls... http://www.flickr.com/photos/zonotrichia/4358733690/ Ken Schneider Redwood City Subject: February 13, 2010 Bodega Bay From: "Ctalcroft" <ctalcroft AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 02:12:40 -0000 Did a little birding today. At the Bodega farm pond (about a mile east of the town of Bodega) I saw mostly canvasbacks (about 12) along with buffleheads, mallards, Canada geese, and turkey vultures overhead. At Smith Bros. Rd., behind the Inn there, saw about 35 snowy egrets on the mud flats along with two great egrets--I don't remember seeing so many egrets together before. There were about 200 marbled godwits and about 30 willets. On the water there were buffleheads, a few greater scaup, Western grebes, about 300 brants, ruddy ducks, a few double-crested cormorants, Western gulls, a pied-billed grebe or two, one horned grebe, and a couple of female mergansers that looked like common mergansers but may have been red-breasted--they were quite far out. At Porto Bodega, saw 12 coots, a couple of common mergansers, ring-billed gulls, common loons, a great blue heron, a ruddy turnstone, black turnstones, Western grebes, and both horned and eared grebes (these all fairly close in). Further out, saw surf scoters, a common goldeneye, more horned grebes, buffleheads, brants, and a red-breasted merganser drake. At the north end of Bodega harbor, saw greater scaup, Western grebes, buffleheads, ruddy ducks, brants, horned grebes, eared grebes, and common loons. At Campbell Cove, saw sanderlings, common loons, Western gulls, scrub jays, and a black phoebe. So, nothing startling, but there were certainly many, many brants today, more loons than I'm used to seeing (probably saw about 12 different birds during the day), and many more grebes than usual. In at least two locations (Porto Bodega and the north end of the harbor) there were groups of 10-30 birds, mostly eared grebes, with a few horned grebes thrown in--an excellent opportunity to compare the two in their confusing (to me, anyway) winter plumages. The ruddy turnstone (pictured above) sat quite contently nearby on the pier at Porto Bodega while I photographed him. One of the loons also let me get close. Something is odd about the markings on its head. I wonder if this bird is the one I saw in about the same area during the summer struggling to get disentangled from a loop of fishing line? The ruddy turnstone is here: http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/1947215/sn/441928446/name/Ruddyturnstonesmallcmt.jpg The loon is here: http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/1947215/sn/1825062154/name/Common+loon+smallcmt.jpg Subject: Home depot From: "Sharon Salisbury" <daisy44 AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:43:54 -0800 Went on a misty walk yesterday, the 12th, along the bay behind Home Depot in San Rafael. This is a great birding spot with a long, paved walk bordered on one side with fresh water ponds and native plants and on the other the bay. I was counting for the bird count and it was low tide. Here is the count...4 Mallards, 4 Greater Scaups, >50 Lesser Scaups, >60 Buffleheads, 1 Hooded Merganser, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 DC Cormorant, 2 Great Egrets, 6 Coots, 20 Black-bellied Plovers, 1 Stilt, 6 Avocets, 20 Willets, 1 Mew Gull, lots of Western and CA gulls, 2 Song Sparrows, 1 GC Sparrow, 1 RT Hawk and best of all, 4 Black Oystercatchers, which I have never seen there before. Watched a CA gull steal an 8" worm from a BP Plover who put up a hard but futile fight. Sharon Salisbury\ Mill Valley [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Photos of Northbay Birds needed From: "gd4bird" <magwhls AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:26:34 -0000 Dear Birders, The editor of The Estuary Partnership newsletter (a very informative publication) is a friend of mine and I volunteered to let you all know that they are having a contest for excellent photos of Bay Area birds. Selected photos will be published in their 2011 calendar and there's a $50 award. Knowing how many good bird photographers hang out here I thought you should know! I placed a PDF file under FILES on the Northbay Birds web site so you can learn more if you are interested. Thanks and hope I don't get slapped for posting this! It seems Northbay bird-related to ME! Maggie Rufo Novato Subject: Tolay Park sightings From: "peter_colasanti" <peter_colasanti AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:03:42 -0000 Hi All, We (Andy Lacasse, Elaine Pruett, Gary Compari) just completed the monthly Tolay Park bird survey, logging 74 species on a round trip up the East Ridge. Highlights included: Over 1000 waterfowl on Tolay Lake in over a dozen species, including a drake EURASIAN WIGEON, 40 Canvasback and 70 Ring-necked Ducks. Simultaneous binocular views of FERRUGINOUS and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK close overhead near the pinot vineyard. A couple Selasphorus hummers buzzing around headquarters. 5 species of woodpecker on East Ridge. A pair of Loggerhead Shrikes keeping very close company (only 10 more impaling days 'til Valentine's Day gang). A Hutton's Vireo and a furtive VARIED THRUSH, also on the East Ridge. Tolay is the latest Sonoma County Regional Park, located at the end of Cannon Lane from Lakeville. It's presently open weekends to permit holders and their guests. The lake there is why they call Lakeville Lakeville. Peter Colasanti Petaluma Subject: Common Moorhen Phoenix Lake From: "bhlenarz" <blenarz AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:08:48 -0000 Hi, This morning I was walking along the service road on the left hand side (facing the dam) of Phoenix Lake (Marin County) and saw a common moorhen. It was at the edge of the tules in front of the old ranch about 2-300 meters from the dam. Since its shield was dull reddish, I believe it was in adult nonbreeding plumage. It was partialy concealed by the tules and I would not have noticed it if I hadn't been waiting to see if a diving dc cormorant caught a fish. (it didn't). This is the first moorhen I have seen in Phoenix Lake, which I have visited many times during the past three decades. However there is reasonably good habitat for them in the upper part of the lake and they may have been there but not obvious during previous visits. I only heard two varied thrushes. After showing up early and in reasonable numbers in the fall they seem to be quite scarce this winter in my part of Marin. Good birding, Bill Lenarz Kentfield, Marin County Subject: Skaggs Island Clapper Rail and Red-tails in Love From: Maggie Rufo <magwhls AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 15:14:23 +0000 (UTC) Hi Birders, I don't know if this is of interest, but on Sunday Michael Stevenson and I were out at Skaggs Island and we heard a Clapper Rail sounding in the channel near where the road ends at the fence. The other fun thing was seeing a pair of red-tails mating. I had a perched red-tail in my scope, it had an execeptionally white breast, no band, and then another red-tail just dropped into the scope view and landed on her back and voila. Afterwards they spent about 10 minutes preening themselves before taking off, one after the other. Maggie Rufo Novato In wildness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau Subject: Napa Huichica Creek Short-eared Owls 2/7 From: "Denise and David Hamilton" <napabirders AT att.net> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:55:42 -0800 Hi all, Went out Sunday afternoon around 5:30 pm to Huichica Creek, at the end of Buchli Station Rd. to do some scouting for the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend. In the small marsh area by the bird blind (close to the parking lot) Soras and Virginia Rails were quite vocal. Standing next to the blind, just kept scanning the area and soon 2 Short-eared Owls were out hunting for some time, and a nearby Great Horned Owl started to hoot. (Got back home soon enough to see the New Orleans Saints win!) If any other Napans are planning to do the count this weekend, please let us know. Thanks! Best birding, Denise & David Hamilton Napa Napabirders AT att.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Smith Ranch Road - Nuttall's Woodpecker From: "Christian" <xian400 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:30:00 -0000 A Nuttall's Woodpecker visited outside our classroom today, resting on a slightly decayed fence post and then drumming for about a minute. This is the first that has been seen by fellow teachers in the three years at our current location and also a somewhat surprising find given the amount of development in the area.