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10 Oct Fall River Common Terns ["adamfam147" ] 09 Oct Fall River Mills Christmas Bird Count Dec. 14, 2008 - SUNDAY (usually Saturday) [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 09 Oct The last message should say "Hello all," sorry about that. Poor proofreading! ["Bob & Carol Yutzy" ] 09 Oct Western Screech Owl - all day yesterday ["Bob & Carol Yutzy" ] 08 Oct Common Terns in the County [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 8 Oct House Finches and House Sparrows ["Karen" ] 8 Oct Re: White-Crowned Sparrows ["Barbara Peck" ] 07 Oct [Fwd: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker] [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 7 Oct Re: House Sparrows and House Finches ["John Hansen" ] 6 Oct Re: White-Crowned Sparrows ["Bill Oliver" ] 07 Oct House Sparrows and House Finches ["Larry Jordan" ] 07 Oct Reading Island Today ["Red Modeen" ] 06 Oct Re: White-Crowned Sparrows [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 6 Oct Re: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ["Bill Oliver" ] 06 Oct White-Crowned Sparrows ["Brad Dupre" ] 05 Oct Re: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 5 Oct Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ["Bill Oliver" ] 24 Sep Rat Farm shorebirds today ["Kenneth Able" ] 23 Sep Rat Farm shorebirds ["Kenneth Able" ] 23 Sep Field Trip To Burney Falls Saturday ["geo_horn" ] 21 Sep my backyard hawks ["maniacmomd" ] 19 Sep No Ovenbird in Red Bluff today either [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 17 Sep NO Ovenbird in Red Bluff today [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 17 Sep Ovenbird in Red Bluff ["Dan Williams" ] 11 Sep Bridge Over Troubled Waters ["Ken Bachman" ] 10 Sep FOS White-crowned Sparrow ["Barbara Peck" ] 09 Sep Good birding at Reading Island ["Ken Bachman" ] 03 Sep Waxwings and Mountain Bluebird near Cottonwood ["Dan Williams" ] 2 Sep Wildlife of Northern California - Fall 2008 [Len Lindstrand ] 31 Aug Re: September 9, 2008 Wintu Audubon Program Notice ["Larry Jordan" ] 28 Aug Hummingbird Behavior [Larry A Siemens ] 29 Aug Shore Bird ponds along Rat Farm Road, McArthur ["Red Modeen" ] 27 Aug Cottonwood migrants ["Dan Williams" ] 26 Aug Trip to Nevada and Sutter counties ["BRUCE DEUEL" ] 27 Aug Re: American gold finch ["geo_horn" ] 26 Aug American gold finch [] 25 Aug Rat Farm shorebird pond ["Kenneth Able" ] 25 Aug Re: Winter wren [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 25 Aug Re: Lewis's Woodpeckers in Cottonwood ["BRUCE DEUEL" ] 25 Aug Winter wren [John Plank ] 25 Aug Ken Bachman's phone number? [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 26 Aug Lewis's Woodpeckers in Cottonwood ["Dan Williams" ] 24 Aug Magpies doing well ["Barbara Peck" ] 20 Aug [Fwd: Lassen visit 7/31-8/15/08] [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 19 Aug Sage Thrasher (not) and Fall River Valley shorebirds ["BRUCE DEUEL" ] 19 Aug September 9, 2008 Wintu Audubon Program Notice [Mike Damoth ] 17 Aug Rat Farm shorebirds ["Kenneth Able" ] 16 Aug Sage Thrasher, continuing Baird's Sandpiper ["Ken Burton" ] 16 Aug Lawrence's Goldfinches [Bob & Carol Yutzy ] 16 Aug Re: Turkeys [BeauRose ] 16 Aug Turkeys ["Bob & Carol Yutzy" ] 13 Aug Rat Farm shorebirds ["Kenneth Able" ] Subject: Fall River Common Terns From: "adamfam147" <adamfam AT charter.net> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:12:30 -0000 I have just posted a few pictures of the Common Terns that Judee and I say Sept. 6, 2008 on the upper part of Fall River. We had Kayaked out and for the 1st time we took our cameras with us. We also got good pictures of a Common Loon that trip as well. You never know what you will see out birding!! Bill and Judee Adams Redding, CA Subject: Fall River Mills Christmas Bird Count Dec. 14, 2008 - SUNDAY (usually Saturday) From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:38:57 -0700 Hello all, Mark your schedule for the Fall River Mills Christmas Count which is set for December 14, 2008 - SUNDAY (it is usually on Saturday.) Please contact Bob & Carol Yutzy, compilers, by email for further information if needed - but see below. Meet at 7:00 am SUNDAY morning at the Fall River Hotel for assignments, etc. Let us know if you are planning on eating (costs $) at the group breakfast on SUNDAY morning at the hotel. Many meet the night before (Saturday night) at the hotel for dinner and BYOB wine. Compilation will be between 5 & 6 pm in Redding at a local restaurant - to be announced. Thanks and hope to see ya there, Bob & Carol Yutzy Subject: The last message should say "Hello all," sorry about that. Poor proofreading! From: "Bob & Carol Yutzy" <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:58:25 -0000 Subject: Western Screech Owl - all day yesterday From: "Bob & Carol Yutzy" <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:57:01 -0000 Hell all, Carol noticed out jays kicking up a storm out front yesterday morning and found they were squawking at a Screech Owl in the tree above our front porch. I took photos from the porch underneath and out the window upstairs. Titmice, hummers and jays spent the day, off and on, harassing the little guy and one time a squirrel scampered within a few inches of the Screech Owl startling it. I posted some of the better photos all the way at the end of Shasta Birders photos - Called Owls - Yutzy. Check them out. It is amazing how the bird can be a cryptic and changing, light tan and lightly streaky in one view and very dark and heavily marked in another. What a treat! Subject: Common Terns in the County From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:50:53 -0700 Bill & Judee Adams sent me some unidentified tern photos from Fall River or was it the Sacramento River? - which I forwarded to Bruce Deuel and he suggested they be forwarded to John Sterling for advice on the ID. It "terns" out they were our first verified county record of Common Tern. John Sterling has seen Common Tern in the county a few years ago. Maybe Bill and Judee could post the photos to Shasta Birders. I can't find the email or the photos so need the information again as to date and place, etc. Bob -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Fwd: Emailing: wildblue.jpg Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 22:07:55 -0700 From: BRUCE DEUEL To: Bob & Carol Yutzy References: <012b01c929a7$9f37c7c0$dda75740$ AT net> <4e81a41a0810081808t205e4565y7a0ea770d3d21748 AT mail.gmail.com> <014201c929ad$bdd7d750$398785f0$ AT net> Here's John's response. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: *JOHN STERLING* > Date: Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 6:24 PM Subject: RE: Emailing: wildblue.jpg To: BRUCE DEUEL > Those are much better photos. Thanks. Nice Common Terns. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 ani AT cal.net *From:* BRUCE DEUEL [mailto:bdeuel AT wildblue.net ] *Sent:* Wednesday, October 08, 2008 6:09 PM *To:* JOHN STERLING *Subject:* Re: Emailing: wildblue.jpg I'll forward the original pictures. They're HUGE! Cheers, Bruce On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 5:40 PM, JOHN STERLING > wrote: Bruce, Welcome back. Can't wait to hear about the trip. This is a bad photo of what I presume are Common Terns?they certainly looked like this species, but the photo is so small that I cannot be 100% certain. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 ani AT cal.net *From:* Bruce Deuel [mailto:bdeuel AT wildblue.net ] *Sent:* Wednesday, October 08, 2008 2:43 PM *To:* John Sterling *Subject:* Emailing: wildblue.jpg Hi John, Just got back from Oz yesterday. Bob Yutzy wanted me to get your opinion on these terns from Fall River Valley. There will be 2 e-mails. Cheers, Bruce Subject: House Finches and House Sparrows From: "Karen" <kscheuer AT c-zone.net> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 20:25:14 -0800 There was an article in Bird Source (The Cornell Lab Newsletter) about some research findings: when house finches moved in, house sparrows moved out! I don't remember what issue it was. Karen Scheuermann www.shastarootsnshoots.com/Tehama_Wild_Care.htm Sioux Proverb: Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: White-Crowned Sparrows From: "Barbara Peck" <bapeck AT jeffnet.org> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 19:03:05 -0700 This surprises me. They have been in Anderson singing ever since I first reported one in my yard in Sept. Barbara Peck Anderson ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Oliver To: Brad Dupre ; Bob & Carol Yutzy Cc: shasta_birders AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 9:25 PM Subject: Re: [shasta_birders] White-Crowned Sparrows I've had Golden-crowned Sparrows in my yard for a couple of days. Today was my first for White-crowns. Bill Oliver ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob & Carol Yutzy To: Brad Dupre Cc: shasta_birders AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 4:55 PM Subject: Re: [shasta_birders] White-Crowned Sparrows We just had out first also along with a 1st Junco. Bob Yutzy Brad Dupre wrote: > The White-Crowned Sparrows seem to be coming back. I had 3 in my yard > yesterday afternoon (Summit City). The first of the fall. > > peace...brad > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: [Fwd: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker] From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:30:58 -0700 FYI to Shasta Birders. Bob -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 17:09:56 -0700 From: Todd Easterla To: B & C Yutzy CC: John Sterling Hey Bob, I found a juvenile yellow bellied Sapsucker (12-25-1991) in Caldwell Park in Redding along the Sacramento River. I was by my self on the initial finding as I was returning from a short birding trip to Humboldt County. About a month later my self and Mike Bumgardner re-found the bird in the same tree. I think we were up looking for the Yellow-billed Loon or the Laysan Albatross when we re-found the sapsucker, Can't remember which one? I would have posted some thing to Shasta Birds but I'm not on that list serve. I thought that I had told Bruce Duel this at one time, but I can't remember for sure. Todd Easterla Subject: Re: House Sparrows and House Finches From: "John Hansen" <majorhart AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 10:17:15 -0500 I've never seen it. Both species seem to keep their distance. John Hansen majorhart AT sbcglobal.net The Marketplace Central http://marketplace-central.com Ebook Store 1 http://ebook-dashboard.com Ebook Store 2 http://american-states-online.com/cbstore2 ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry Jordan To: shasta_birders AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 11:09 PM Subject: [shasta_birders] House Sparrows and House Finches I had someone ask me whether house sparrows flock with house finches and I was unsure of the answer. I have never heard of these two species flocking together but I wanted to know if any of you have any personal experience or knowledge about this phenomenon. Thanks for your help, Larry [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: White-Crowned Sparrows From: "Bill Oliver" <bxoliver AT c-zone.net> Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 21:25:40 -0700 I've had Golden-crowned Sparrows in my yard for a couple of days. Today was my first for White-crowns. Bill Oliver ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob & Carol Yutzy To: Brad Dupre Cc: shasta_birders AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 4:55 PM Subject: Re: [shasta_birders] White-Crowned Sparrows We just had out first also along with a 1st Junco. Bob Yutzy Brad Dupre wrote: > The White-Crowned Sparrows seem to be coming back. I had 3 in my yard > yesterday afternoon (Summit City). The first of the fall. > > peace...brad > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: House Sparrows and House Finches From: "Larry Jordan" <soaringfalcon6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:09:07 -0000 I had someone ask me whether house sparrows flock with house finches and I was unsure of the answer. I have never heard of these two species flocking together but I wanted to know if any of you have any personal experience or knowledge about this phenomenon. Thanks for your help, Larry Subject: Reading Island Today From: "Red Modeen" <ffbrdr AT att.net> Date: Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:59:15 -0000 Yo Birders -- This morning, Nancy and I spent over an hour walking Reading Island just before noon. No Yellow-breasted Sapsucker, but we did have one sighting that was encouraging. As we walked out from the picnic area, I noticed a bit of activity in the top of a large cottonwood on the west side of the slough. Several birds were harrassing something and in few seconds a woodpecker type flew across in front of me at maybe 150 yards, crossed the road and was harrassed again by a small bird that looked like a Yellow-rump Warbler(made a pass on the woodpecker who pumped to avoid) and the woodpecker then crossed the Sacramento River and disappeared into a very large cottonwood there. While I couln't ID the bird to species, I'm confident it was a sapsucker. The flight pattern was correct, the size was correct, and during the glide phase of flight, a well defined white horizontal stripe was seen on the wing coverts. No call was heard. Earlier, we twice heard tapping/hammering that could have been sapsucker, once from the bottom of the island area and once from west of the slough. A "burst, tap tap tap", then another "burst tap tap tap". We did not locate the source and there were several woodpeckers plus White-breasted Nuthatch in the area. We had a total of 34 species including: 1 Cooper's hawk 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 10+ Acorn Woodpecker 1 Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 Downey Woodpecker 3 Northern Flicker 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 10+ Cedar Waxwing 2 Yellow Warbler 10+ Yellow-rump Warbler 8 White-crowned Sparrow Good bird activity with something going on all the time. Red Modeen Redding, CA Subject: Re: White-Crowned Sparrows From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:55:19 -0700 We just had out first also along with a 1st Junco. Bob Yutzy Brad Dupre wrote: > The White-Crowned Sparrows seem to be coming back. I had 3 in my yard > yesterday afternoon (Summit City). The first of the fall. > > peace...brad > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > Subject: Re: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker From: "Bill Oliver" <bxoliver AT c-zone.net> Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 08:49:13 -0700 You are correct, Bob. It will have to be considered unverified and probably unrecorded unless someone can refind and photograph the bird. I was very disappointed to not view it longer. Bill Oliver ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob & Carol Yutzy" To: "Bill Oliver" Cc: "Shasta Birders" Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 11:03 PM Subject: Re: [shasta_birders] Yellow-bellied Sapsucker >I believe that would be a new species for the county. > > We need folk to verify and re-find the bird if possible. The possibility > of hybridization with Red-naped/Red-breasted & Yellow-bellied Sapsucker > should not be ruled out with a careful view. > > Bob Yutzy > > Bill Oliver wrote: >> This morning about 9:30 I viewed a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on Reading >> Island on the Sacramento River in southern Shasta County. It was near the >> southern tip of Reading Island about 30 yards south of the restroom on >> the trail near a fallen willow tree. I got a good, although short, look >> at it before it flew. I spent about 45 minutes trying to find it again to >> no avail. I have seen many Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in the eastern U.S. >> but this is my first here in the West. It's red throat was clearly >> outlined by black and I saw no red on the nape. The bird seems much >> lighter on the back and on the belly than the Red-naped I have seen >> recently. >> >> Bill Oliver >> Redding >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> > Subject: White-Crowned Sparrows From: "Brad Dupre" <abynrml2 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:10:37 -0000 The White-Crowned Sparrows seem to be coming back. I had 3 in my yard yesterday afternoon (Summit City). The first of the fall. peace...brad Subject: Re: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:03:20 -0700 I believe that would be a new species for the county. We need folk to verify and re-find the bird if possible. The possibility of hybridization with Red-naped/Red-breasted & Yellow-bellied Sapsucker should not be ruled out with a careful view. Bob Yutzy Bill Oliver wrote: > This morning about 9:30 I viewed a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on Reading Island on the Sacramento River in southern Shasta County. It was near the southern tip of Reading Island about 30 yards south of the restroom on the trail near a fallen willow tree. I got a good, although short, look at it before it flew. I spent about 45 minutes trying to find it again to no avail. I have seen many Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in the eastern U.S. but this is my first here in the West. It's red throat was clearly outlined by black and I saw no red on the nape. The bird seems much lighter on the back and on the belly than the Red-naped I have seen recently. > > Bill Oliver > Redding > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > Subject: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker From: "Bill Oliver" <bxoliver AT c-zone.net> Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 15:09:54 -0700 This morning about 9:30 I viewed a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on Reading Island on the Sacramento River in southern Shasta County. It was near the southern tip of Reading Island about 30 yards south of the restroom on the trail near a fallen willow tree. I got a good, although short, look at it before it flew. I spent about 45 minutes trying to find it again to no avail. I have seen many Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in the eastern U.S. but this is my first here in the West. It's red throat was clearly outlined by black and I saw no red on the nape. The bird seems much lighter on the back and on the belly than the Red-naped I have seen recently. Bill Oliver Redding [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rat Farm shorebirds today From: "Kenneth Able" <kenable AT hughes.net> Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:16:04 -0700 Only 5 black-bellies (all juvs) seen at the north rice pond (hardly a pond anymore!) this afternoon. Otherwise, about the same numbers and species as reported by Bob yesterday. Lots of pipits and some shorebirds too far away to ID with any confidence. At the boat launch a large number (70-100) violet-green swallows. Ken Able Kenneth P. Able Bob's Creek Ranch 535-000 Little Valley Road McArthur, California 96056 The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. Winston Churchill [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rat Farm shorebirds From: "Kenneth Able" <kenable AT hughes.net> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:50:12 -0700 I just had a call from Bob Yutzy who is on the road today. He has just left the rice ponds at the Rat Farm where there are lots of shorebirds, including 18 (yes, 18) black-bellied plovers, 2 pectorals, numerous yellowlegs, leasts, westerns, etc. Apparently the action is in the northernmost of the two ponds. Ken Able Kenneth P. Able Bob's Creek Ranch 535-000 Little Valley Road McArthur, California 96056 The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. Winston Churchill [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Field Trip To Burney Falls Saturday From: "geo_horn" <geohorn AT charter.net> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:53:39 -0000 Wintu Audubon will have a field trip to the Burney Falls area on Saturday, Sep. 27. We will meet at the Redding Convention Center at 7:30 a.m. for car pooling. We will also meet at the Safeway parking lot in Burney at 8:30 a.m. for folks that live closer. Expect some walking and bring a lunch and water. George Horn will be the trip leader. Call 244-0581 for more details. Hope to see you there! Subject: my backyard hawks From: "maniacmomd" <runciman AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:31:23 -0000 I added a shot of my two backyard hawks, side bys side, to my photo album. The "maniacmom '08" is my screen name over on fotothing. I post quite a few bird pictures there. http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/photos/view/b4d4?b=21 Denise Subject: No Ovenbird in Red Bluff today either From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:16:16 -0700 After a job in Red Bluff today Carol and I looked for the Ovenbird without success. Just an FYI. Bob Yuzy Shasta Subject: NO Ovenbird in Red Bluff today From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:17:27 -0700 Dan Williams and I looked and listened for the Ovenbird this morning with no luck. Only a few Yellow Warblers, a Nashville Warbler and a Cooper's hawk or maybe two. Many shorebirds - Yellowlegs and West & Least along the canal on the road in. The exact place if others want to look is take Sale Street in Red Bluff going South all the way. Go in to the left toward the campground. When the campground entrance is on your right - look to your left and you will see a walking or jogging path going along a fence in through some pines and trees. The bird was seen and heard calling loudly along that area but on the other side of the fence near the small building of some kind on a little hill on the other side of the fence. Don't park in the campground or you will get a ticket. Park further along the road outside the campground in the big parking area on the left and walk back and look. Let us know if you see anything. Bob Subject: Ovenbird in Red Bluff From: "Dan Williams" <jaegermaestro AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:38:54 -0000 This evening at about 5:30 I had an OVENBIRD calling incessantly and wandering through the leaf litter and underbrush across the jogging path from the Red Bluff Rec Area campground off Sale Lane. Lots of western migrants too (Black-throated Grays, Hermits, Yellows, western tanagers, etc) in the oaks along the river. Dan Williams Red Bluff Subject: Bridge Over Troubled Waters From: "Ken Bachman" <ken.bachman AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:32:16 -0000 Hi all, Those of you that like to bird Battle Creek W.L.R., will be happy to know that they have finally started building the new bridge. It will be made of concrete, and will be downstream from the old one. I was told by one of the workers that it would take nearly a month to complete. Let's hope that they restore the trail system as well. Ken Bachman Anderson, Ca Subject: FOS White-crowned Sparrow From: "Barbara Peck" <bapeck AT jeffnet.org> Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:08:11 -0700 I had a single adult White-crowned Sparrow in my yard yesterday, 9 Sept. I didn't see it today. Barbara Peck Anderson, CA (Shasta County) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Good birding at Reading Island From: "Ken Bachman" <ken.bachman AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:39:56 -0000 Hi all, I birded Reading Island this morning, and the fall migrants are coming through. I don't think that I have ever seen so many Yellow Warblers! Also there were a number of Orange-crowned, and Nashville Warblers. And one Black-throated Gray. Plus a few species I was unable to identify. There also were several Empids, of which I was able to identify only two. A Willow, and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Vaux's Swifts were feeding for a short time over the river before they left, and I counted over 20 Lewis's Woodpeckers flying south high over head. The best bird of the day was a Phainopepla. I posted a picture of it in my `photo album'. Ken Bachman Anderson, CA Subject: Waxwings and Mountain Bluebird near Cottonwood From: "Dan Williams" <jaegermaestro AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:52:01 -0000 I had a female MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD this morning in the oak savanna south of Bowman Road. She was initially mingling on the ground with a small flock of Westerns, but then she took off on her own and headed north toward Bowman. I also saw my first CEDAR WAXWING flock (about a dozen) of the season there this afternoon. The number of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS in this area continues to swell. I originally reported one, then two a couple of weeks ago. There were at least 20 individuals there today. They all seem to float in from the east, pause in the oaks for a few minutes, then continue on in a southwesterly direction. Dan Williams Sacramento Subject: Wildlife of Northern California - Fall 2008 From: Len Lindstrand <lindstrand AT nsrnet.com> Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 09:02:38 -0700 Please excuse the plug, but for those interested or those who know someone that may be interested, here is some information for this fall's wildlife class at Shasta College. This year the class has expanded so there will me more meetings and activities. Thank you, Len Wildlife of Northern California: Shasta College is offering a short wildlife identification, ecology and management class for the Fall 2008 Semester taught by Len Lindstrand III, North State Resources, Inc. of Redding. The course is titled Wildlife of Northern California, and will meet Tuesdays from October 7 to November 11 from 6 to 9 pm. The course also includes a weekend overnight field trip on October 18 and 19 (transportation is provided). The field trip leaves from Redding and gradually heads northeasterly to Lower Klamath Wildlife Refuge/Lava Beds National Monument, making several stops along the way. The class stays overnight at Lava Beds National Monument. The following day, the class heads southwesterly back to Redding, making several more stops along the way. This course is designed to provide a brief introduction to many wildlife and wildlife-related topics, and is suitable for the general public as well as students, professionals, or others interested in our local natural resources. Many topics are discussed, including species identification, management issues, survey techniques, regulatory framework, and habitat ecology. The Shasta College catalog course number is AGNR 176, and is worth 1-unit of college credit. To obtain additional information and/or register, please contact the Shasta College Admissions office (242-7650) and/or the Center for Science, Industry, and Natural Resources office (225-4660). Len Lindstrand III, CWB(r) Fisheries/Wildlife Biologist, Terrestrial Biology Program Manager North State Resources, Inc. 5000 Bechelli Lane, Suite 203 Redding, CA 96002 530.222.5347#15 office 530.222.4958 fax e-mail: lindstrand AT nsrnet.com web: www.nsrnet.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: September 9, 2008 Wintu Audubon Program Notice From: "Larry Jordan" <soaringfalcon6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 05:17:26 -0000 Hello Everyone, Please note that all Wintu events are updated as soon as I get them now and the "Chirp N Chatter" is now posted on the Wintu website http://www.wintuaudubon.org which outlines all the upcoming events with dates and times ;-) I hope this makes it easier for everyone to stay informed. Larry Jordan webmaster AT wintuaudubon.org --- In shasta_birders AT yahoogroups.com, Mike Damoth wrote: > > Wintu Audubon September Meeting – "Alaskan Birds, Scenery, Flowers, and Bears" presented by Bill and Judee Adams > Please plan to attend our first of the season Wintu Audubon meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Bill and Judee Adams will be presenting their recent Alaska trip which will include a nice collection of Alaska birds, including 3 species of eider and 4 species of loon, as well as some beautiful photos of the Alaskan scenery, flowers, wolves and bears. > Please put this date on your calendar and plan on joining us for this informative and fun program. The Wintu Audubon meetings are held at the TurtleBay Visitors Center in Redding at 7 PM. The meetings are open to the public and are free of charge. See you there! Mike Damoth > Palo Cedro, CA > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Hummingbird Behavior From: Larry A Siemens <lsiemens1 AT juno.com> Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:45:33 -0700 This hummingbird story continues in the back yard of my colleague Dan Berger, communications professor at Simpson University. As Dan shared with me today, a pair of Anna's Hummingbirds have nested in an oak tree in his back yard for the last 3 years. The pair spent a lot of time together in the dogwood tree. On Monday, August 18, Dan watched as the female of this pair died below the redwood tree about 15 yards from the nest oak tree. Dan buried her under a wisteria bush about 30 yards from the nest tree. As the female was fluttering her last under the redwood tree and as Dan buried the dead bird, the male called a mournful call that was much lower in tone than the usual squeaky chatter of these birds. Now for almost 2 weeks the male hummingbird has been sitting on the fence between the oak tree and the redwood and seems to stare at the place were his mate died. Or he sits on the fence by the wisteria looking at the place where his mate is buried. Dan has never seen either hummingbird sit on the fence before, they always chose a tree or flowering shrub. The impression is very strong that a strong and enduring relationship is being missed by this male Anna's Hummingbird. Shared by Larry Siemens, Redding ____________________________________________________________ Internet Security Software - Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3mEWsGBRCpQfM0NoQVApgRPQHKc8SNJTsbWk6bmA8bMTUW0l/ Subject: Shore Bird ponds along Rat Farm Road, McArthur From: "Red Modeen" <ffbrdr AT att.net> Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:07:47 -0000 Yo Birders -- Today while visiting the Inter-Mountain Fair at McArthur, Nancy and I made a run past the shore bird ponds along Rat Farm Road. The south pond is completely dried up but the north pond still holds good water but few birds. We counted 7 Black-necked Stilt and a half dozen Grtr Yellowlegs. That's all. While standing by the fence pondering why, there was a loud bang I thought was a sonic boom. It literally knocked by hat off. A few minutes later it was repeated and I discovered why no birds.... There is what looks like a propane cannon mounted on the dike between the ponds, and it is a loud one. Apparently, the above birds have learned to live with it or are deaf. They never raised a feather or showed any reaction when it went off. There is a sparse looking crop of something growing in the north pond, probably rice, and it looks as though the owner intends to protect it from foraging birds, at least for the time being. Red Modeen Redding, CA Subject: Cottonwood migrants From: "Dan Williams" <jaegermaestro AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:17:43 -0000 Thanks to the Yutzys and Bruce Deuel for the Lewie info. They have grown in number at my Cottonwood site just south of Bowman Road. There were at least six LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS there today, and I also had a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, both species I'm not used to seeing in 100 degree heat! Other migrants there this morning were 2 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, several YELLOW WARBLERS, and LAZULI BUNTINGS, and a juv BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. Dan Williams Sacramento Subject: Trip to Nevada and Sutter counties From: "BRUCE DEUEL" <bdeuel AT wildblue.net> Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:31:33 -0700 Hi all, Ken Bachman, Bob Yutzy, and I left Red Bluff this morning at 0700 on a successful trip to Rudy Darling's house in Nevada City to see the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird he has visiting there (see Calbirds or Sierra Nevada Birds for details). We got there at 0926 and saw the bird at 0942. Then we looked for shorebirds in Sutter County. On Pleasant Grove Road between Marcum and Catlett we found 2 large flooded fields. Among the many White-faced Ibis, stilts, avocets (2), Greater Yellowlegs, dowitchers, and smaller numbers of peeps we had 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 15-20 Wilson's Phalaropes, 4-6 Red-necked Phalaropes, and a possible Semipalmated Sandpiper - we were 75% convinced, but couldn't relocate any bird we thought was the same individual when we tried to get closer. We also visited Yolo Wildlife Area, but found no shorebird habitat. We had Swainson's Hawks all over the valley floor. Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: American gold finch From: "geo_horn" <geohorn AT charter.net> Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:29:16 -0000 --- In shasta_birders AT yahoogroups.com, 7poneill7 AT ... wrote: > > I have half a dozen regulars who visit my feeder, but have just lately > started eating the leaves off my sunflowers. I don't remember seeing > this feeding pattern previously. Does anyone know if this is typical > behavior? > > Pete > I have sunflowers in my garden also. Every year the Lesser Goldfinches eat some of the leaves, they seem to like them more than the seeds. Good Birding, George Horn Subject: American gold finch From: 7poneill7 AT jett.net Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:09:48 -0700 I have half a dozen regulars who visit my feeder, but have just lately started eating the leaves off my sunflowers. I don't remember seeing this feeding pattern previously. Does anyone know if this is typical behavior? Pete Subject: Rat Farm shorebird pond From: "Kenneth Able" <kenable AT hughes.net> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:58:20 -0700 If, in fact, the north rice pond along Rat Farm Rd. was being drained, the process seems to have halted. Today the water level was about the same as it was last Wednesday. There is some shorebird habitat, but not many birds were present today and most of the pond is too deep for any except long-legged species. Sixteen stilts and two juv. Baird's sandpipers were all the pond had to offer today. Ken Kenneth P. Able Bob's Creek Ranch 535-000 Little Valley Road McArthur, California 96056 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Winter wren From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:06:58 -0700 It probably bred around there somewhere - but birds are wandering right now. Bob Yutzy Shasta, CA John Plank wrote: > On a hike above hat lake in lassen we saw a winter wren darting in and out around rotten log near a little stream. Never saw one before. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.9/1634 - Release Date: 8/25/2008 8:48 PM > > > > Subject: Re: Lewis's Woodpeckers in Cottonwood From: "BRUCE DEUEL" <bdeuel AT wildblue.net> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:35:35 -0700 Hi Dan, Lewis's Woodpeckers can be quite common anywhere there are blue oaks in season, but the numbers vary from year to year. This seems very early (by about 2 weeks), but many of our birds have been doing weird things because of the fires, so maybe this is related. Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff On Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 5:46 PM, Dan Williams wrote: > Shasta/Tehama Birders, > > I am a Sacramento birder on a work assignment right now in > Cottonwood, and I have been seeing a couple of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS in > the oak savannah just south of Bowman Road (one last week, and two > this morning). > I was just curious about their status in this area since they're > quite sought after where I come from. If there is any interest I can > post better directions to where I've been seeing them, but for all I > know they could be quite common around here. I would love to hear > some local insight. > > Thanks, > > Dan Williams > Sacramento > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Winter wren From: John Plank <bluesrollers AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:55:06 -0700 (PDT) On a hike above hat lake in lassen we saw a winter wren darting in and out around rotten log near a little stream. Never saw one before. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ken Bachman's phone number? From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:06:41 -0700 Could anyone email directly (off Shasta Birders) with Ken Bachman's phone number - I can't seem to find it. Thanks, Bob Subject: Lewis's Woodpeckers in Cottonwood From: "Dan Williams" <jaegermaestro AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:46:32 -0000 Shasta/Tehama Birders, I am a Sacramento birder on a work assignment right now in Cottonwood, and I have been seeing a couple of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS in the oak savannah just south of Bowman Road (one last week, and two this morning). I was just curious about their status in this area since they're quite sought after where I come from. If there is any interest I can post better directions to where I've been seeing them, but for all I know they could be quite common around here. I would love to hear some local insight. Thanks, Dan Williams Sacramento Subject: Magpies doing well From: "Barbara Peck" <bapeck AT jeffnet.org> Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:12:39 -0700 Hi all, Friday morning I saw at least 165 Yellow-billed Magpies fly from what the northeast side of the river into Anderson River Park. I assume the area on the other side of the river is a roost since this was first thing in the morning. Some stayed in the park to forage by the soccer field. Others seemed to fly on to other areas. Barbara Peck Anderson, CA (Shasta County) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: [Fwd: Lassen visit 7/31-8/15/08] From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:10:28 -0700 Hello all, Below is nifty bird stuff from Gary Lester's annual Lassen birding. Bob -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Lassen visit 7/31-8/15/08 Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:10:00 -0700 From: Gary Lester To: References: <9AD3328EFE2D004BA4AC9D3E0ABF88D103B5A7C4 AT mail1.w-and-k.com> <46946154.8070008 AT c-zone.net> Bob, We are fresh back from out annual Lassen trip. Although road work along the length of much of the park road hampered the experience, we fortunately had a few birds. Which included the first confirmed park Solitary Sandpiper (Hat Lake 8/6-10), a Barred Owl (Summit Lake 8/9), first recent park record for Swainson’s Thrush (Summit Lake 8/10), 5^th park Bullock’s Oriole (8/1), 5th park record for Lesser Goldfinch (Hat Lake 8/10) and 6^th park record for American Goldfinch (Summit Lake 8/14). Other noteworthies included our first Western Grebe (present 2 weeks prior to our visit, handicapped with fishing line & sinkers hanging from gape, stayed 3 more days after our arrival then disappeared), Northern Goshawk and Barn Owl for Summit. The Barred Owl called for about 5 minutes near camp one night but I was never able to hear it again or see it. Efforts to re-locate only turned up fresh preened Great Horned Owl feathers that were evident in nearby Dersch Meadows. Evening Grosbeaks were as common as I’ve ever seen at Summit. The big three (Gray Jay, Black-backed Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker) were present but tricky (Lauren went 2 weeks w/o seeing Black-backed, but heard it nearly every morning from camp). Those three species were also present at Lower Twin Lake along the Pacific Crest Trail east of Summit Lake. No evidence of Rosy Finch on Lassen this year. Below is the Summit Lake list for the visit with dates initially encountered and a relative abundance code (C-common, seen/heard nearly everyday, U-uncommon, less often seen/heard, R-rare, ~single observation). I’ve also attached my known list of Summit Lake species (do you have any to add?). You are welcome to share with anyone in any forum you chose. Thanks, Gary _8/4 _Great Blue Heron-R _8/10 _Canada Goose-R _8/1 _Mallard-U _7/31 _Bufflehead-U _7/31 _Western Grebe-R _7/31 _Turkey Vulture-U _8/14 _Cooper's Hawk-R _8/14 _Northern Goshawk-R _8/11 _American Kestrel-R _7/31 _Spotted Sandpiper-C _8/11 _California Gull-R _8/14 _Band-tailed Pigeon-U _8/14 _Barn Owl-R _8/9 _Barred Owl-R__ _8/1 _Common Nighthawk-C _7/31 _Vaux's Swift-U _8/1 _Rufous Hummingbird-C _8/3 _Belted Kingfisher-U _8/1 _Northern Flicker-C _8/2 _Red-breasted Sapsucker-R _8/2 _Williamson's Sapsucker-U _7/31 _Hairy Woodpecker-C _8/3 _Downy Woodpecker-U _8/2 _White-headed Woodpecker-C _8/1 _Black-backed Woodpecker-C _8/4 _Pacific-slope Flycatcher-R _7/31 _Western Wood-Pewee-C _8/2 _Olive-sided Flycatcher-C _8/14 _Tree Swallow-R _8/14 _N. Rough-winged Swallow-R _7/31 _Gray Jay-C _7/31 _Steller's Jay-C__ _7/31 _Common Raven-C _7/31 _Clark's Nutcracker-U__ _7/31 _Mountain Chickadee-C _8/1 _White-breasted Nuthatch-U _7/31 _Red-breasted Nuthatch-C _7/31 _Brown Creeper-C _8/14 _House Wren-R _8/12 _American Dipper-R _7/31 _American Robin-C _8/10 _Swainson’s Thrush-R _8/2 _Townsend's Solitaire-U _8/2 _Golden-crowned Kinglet-U _8/8 _Cassin's Vireo-U _8/1 _Orange-crowned Warbler-U _8/4 _Nashville Warbler-U _7/31 _Yellow-rumped Warbler-C _7/31 _Hermit Warbler-C _8/10 _MacGillivray's Warbler-U _8/11 _Wilson's Warbler-U _7/31 _Western Tanager-C _8/1 _Black-headed Grosbeak-C _7/31_Dark-eyed Junco-C _8/2 _Chipping Sparrow-C _8/3 _Fox Sparrow-U _8/13 _Song Sparrow-R _7/31 _Lincoln's Sparrow-R _8/3 _Brown-headed Cowbird-U _8/1 _Bullock’s Oriole-R _8/1 _Evening Grosbeak-C _7/31 _Cassin's Finch-C _8/1 _Pine Siskin-C _8/14 _American Goldfinch-R _7/31 _Red Crossbill-C No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.6/1623 - Release Date: 8/20/2008 8:12 AM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:shasta_birders-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:shasta_birders-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: shasta_birders-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Sage Thrasher (not) and Fall River Valley shorebirds From: "BRUCE DEUEL" <bdeuel AT wildblue.net> Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:08:58 -0700 Hi all, I tried to relocate Ken Burton's Sage Thrasher on Forest Service 37N03 this morning but had no luck. The spot was pretty dead, with only a few Acorn Woodpeckers and 1 White-breasted Nuthatch recorded. Incidentally, my odometer, which is about 6% low, showed the turn off from SH 89 at 8.8 mi N of SH 299, so if you go to check this area out, start looking for the turn when you approach 9 mi from SH 299. The new ponds on Rat Farm Road were about as Ken Able described them. The north one was almost (not quite) dry and had nothing in it but a family of 3 Long-billed Curlews (at least I assume the really short-billed one was a juvenile). Lots of mixed swallows about, though, and a nice Prairie Falcon sitting on the fence. I suspect it was the reason a flock of 7 Common Ravens and 2 Sandhill Cranes were milling about over the ponds when I arrived. The waterbirds in the north pond included 2 Northern Pintail, about 15 White-faced Ibis, 15 Black-necked Stilts (including 2 chicks), 1 American Avocet, 5-6 Greater Yellowlegs, at least 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 20-25 peeps, almost all Western Sandpipers with only a couple of Leasts, 5 dowitchers (too far away to hear, but all were quite red-bellied, so probably adult Long-billed), at least 2 Wilson's Phalaropes, and 34 Red-necked Phalaropes. Probably the best bird was a Vesper Sparrow I saw in the road about 1/4 mi east of the cattle guard after you cross McArthur Drain. I also spied a couple of Modeens (Red and Nancy). Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: September 9, 2008 Wintu Audubon Program Notice From: Mike Damoth <mikedamoth AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:46:34 -0700 (PDT) Wintu Audubon September Meeting – “Alaskan Birds, Scenery, Flowers, and Bears” presented by Bill and Judee Adams Please plan to attend our first of the season Wintu Audubon meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Bill and Judee Adams will be presenting their recent Alaska trip which will include a nice collection of Alaska birds, including 3 species of eider and 4 species of loon, as well as some beautiful photos of the Alaskan scenery, flowers, wolves and bears. Please put this date on your calendar and plan on joining us for this informative and fun program. The Wintu Audubon meetings are held at the TurtleBay Visitors Center in Redding at 7 PM. The meetings are open to the public and are free of charge. See you there! Mike Damoth Palo Cedro, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shasta_birders/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:shasta_birders-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:shasta_birders-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: shasta_birders-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Rat Farm shorebirds From: "Kenneth Able" <kenable AT hughes.net> Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:51:24 -0700 The shorebird pond is continuing to dry up and will not be with us for many more days. The good news, however, is that the other (northern) pond seems to be going down. It is still too deep for any except the long-legged species and phalaropes, but there were some dowitchers standing in it today. There is obviously a lot of turnover taking place from day to day, so the place merits checking frequently. N. Shoveler 1 N. Pintail 8 White-faced Ibis 18 Peregrine Falcon 1 Killdeer 5 Black-necked Stilt 35 Amer. Avocet 30 Greater Yellowlegs 20 Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Spotted Sandpiper 2 Long-billed Curlew 1 female (had a near-death experience at the talons of the peregrine) Western Sandpiper 600 Least Sandpiper 300 Baird's Sandpiper 11 Long-billed Dowitcher 15 Short-billed Dowitcher 2 minimum, seen and heard Wilson's Phalarope 40 Red-necked Phalarope 25 Kenneth P. Able Bob's Creek Ranch 535-000 Little Valley Road McArthur, California 96056 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sage Thrasher, continuing Baird's Sandpiper From: "Ken Burton" <brdnrd AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:34:43 -0700 This morning, Debby Dailey-Anderson and I saw a SAGE THRASHER near Lake Britton. From the junction of highways 89 and 299, take 89 north 9.8 miles and turn right onto Forest Route 37N03. The bird was along the road from mile 1.5 to mile 1.6. The juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPER continued this afternoon in the flooded field on Rat Farm Road. Ken Burton Arcata Subject: Lawrence's Goldfinches From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:51:47 -0700 Is anyone seeing Larry's Goldfinches around recently. I have an out of town request for places to chase them. Thanks, Bob Subject: Re: Turkeys From: BeauRose <beaurose AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:10:50 -0700 (PDT) We saw about a dozen yesterday, also. Ours were crossing North Street on the east side of 5. I think they were headed to the corn field behind the strawberry stand. They took their time crossing the street, and couldn't have been less concerned about the cars! Will post the picture we took, shortly. Susan Bob & Carol Yutzy wrote: Yesterday I saw about a dozen turkeys on Clough Canyon Road (1-2 blocks long) off Old 44 in a yard hiding from the heat in the shade of a big pine tree. Anyone who doesn't have them as a county bird probably has a good chance of seeing them there. They didn't even seem too concerned about my car. Bob [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Turkeys From: "Bob & Carol Yutzy" <boby AT c-zone.net> Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:28:46 -0000 Yesterday I saw about a dozen turkeys on Clough Canyon Road (1-2 blocks long) off Old 44 in a yard hiding from the heat in the shade of a big pine tree. Anyone who doesn't have them as a county bird probably has a good chance of seeing them there. They didn't even seem too concerned about my car. Bob Subject: Rat Farm shorebirds From: "Kenneth Able" <kenable AT hughes.net> Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:51:57 -0700 The shorebird pond at the Rat Farm is still going down. If this continues, it will be pratincole habitat before too long. The other pond seems to be holding at the same depth, i.e., too deep for shorebirds. Today the birds were much the same as Bob reported yesterday except there were no curlews and I did not find the Baird's. The only obvious addition was a single pectoral. The juv short-billed dowitcher continues. Afternoon light is very nice for viewing these birds. Ken Kenneth P. Able Bob's Creek Ranch 535-000 Little Valley Road McArthur, California 96056 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]