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Updated on Friday, October 10 at 04:50 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Blue Jay,©Jan Wilczur

10 Oct Franklin's Gull Tahoe [Will Richardson ]
10 Oct Heermann's Gull and more at Cove East ["Don Harriman" ]
9 Oct Tahoe follow-up [Will Richardson ]
9 Oct Re: Tahoe Franklin's Gulls []
9 Oct Tahoe Franklin's Gulls [Will Richardson ]
01 Oct Second-hand report -- Sandhill Cranes at Martis Lake []
30 Sep Tahoe Scrub-Jays [Will Richardson ]
29 Sep Granlibakken last week ["Perrone, Michael" ]
28 Sep Tahoe stuff [Will Richardson ]
27 Sep Nevada County ["Rudy Darling" ]
26 Sep American Wigeon at Cameron Park Lake ["at_jackson AT sbcglobal.net" ]
26 Sep American Wigeon at Cameron Park Lake ["at_jackson AT sbcglobal.net" ]
25 Sep a few Tahoe birds [Will Richardson ]
24 Sep South Lake Tahoe/Cove East [Susan Stevenson ]
22 Sep Kayaking Tahoe ["Kirk Hardie" ]
19 Sep FOS Golden-crowned Sparrow []
17 Sep Parasitic Jaeger at Lake Tahoe (Placer) []
15 Sep Tahoe Pileated [Richard Carlson ]
15 Sep White-crowned Sparrow Return Dates ["at_jackson AT sbcglobal.net" ]
15 Sep White-crowned Sparrow Return Dates ["at_jackson AT sbcglobal.net" ]
14 Sep Re: Sierra mystery (?) sound []
14 Sep Re: Sierra mystery (?) sound [Chris ]
14 Sep Sierra mystery (?) sound ["David Kuhn" ]
13 Sep Modoc Birds 9/10-11 [Steve Glover ]
13 Sep Lassen County jaeger, Chestnut-sided Warbler [Steve Glover ]
12 Sep Sabine's Gull and Common Tern at N. Lake Tahoe []
11 Sep Lake Forest coverage? [Will Richardson ]
10 Sep RFI: North Tahoe ["Alison Sheehey" ]
10 Sep Target birds ["Brendan OSullivan" ]
10 Sep Re: Visitor in search of Pine Grosbeak []
10 Sep Incline Pine Grosbeaks [Will Richardson ]
9 Sep RE: Visitor in search of Pine Grosbeak ["Bruce Webb" ]
10 Sep Visitor in search of Pine Grosbeak ["Kevin Liberg" ]
9 Sep Upper Truckee River mouth 9/8 [Ryan Phillips ]
8 Sep NEV Western Sandpiper ["Rudy Darling" ]
4 Sep Tahoe Gnatcatcher [Richard Carlson ]
04 Sep Semipalmated Sandpiper-Placer Co. ["Deren Ross" ]
2 Sep Sanderling and Black Tern at n. Lake Tahoe (Placer County) []
1 Sep Franklin's Gull, Terns, Swifts @ Lake Forest [Will Richardson ]
1 Sep Birds of many feathers... ["Lisa Moraga" ]
1 Sep RT Hummer a no-show on Monday ["Rudy Darling" ]
31 Aug Hybrid Hermit/Townsend's Warblers, Jackson Meadow area, Sierra Co. (forward) []
31 Aug Nevada County east side ["Rudy Darling" ]
31 Aug Ruby-throat day 9 ["Rudy Darling" ]
31 Aug Re: (Neveda County) Ruby-throated Hummingbird day 8, Saturday 30 August 2008 ["Mike Feighner" ]
31 Aug Re: (Neveda County) Ruby-throated Hummingbird day 8, Saturday 30 August 2008 ["Mike Feighner" ]
30 Aug Ruby-throat day 8 ["Rudy Darling" ]
29 Aug RT Hummingbird - day 7 (Fri.) ["Rudy Darling" ]
28 Aug Snag Lake, Lassen NP ["sequoia49" ]
28 Aug Thursday Ruby-throat update ["Rudy Darling" ]
27 Aug Nevada & Placer Counties [Kathryn Parker ]
27 Aug Ruby-throated Hummingbird (NEV) and Snowy Plover (PLA) ["Deren Ross" ]

Subject: Franklin's Gull Tahoe
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:50:13 -0700
I got down to S. Lake just in time to take a few dark digiscopes of  
the adult Franklin's Gull - just minutes before a few Bonaparte's and  
California Gulls came in, gathered the Franklin's and a few others,  
and the whole ensemble circled up high and southward.  Then the  
weather got serious, with wind-driven pelt-you-in-the-eyes graupel.   
The gull had been on the Cove East side of the delta, along with four  
Gr. Yellowlegs, a well-camouflaged Sanderling, and a skittish falcon  
(Peregrine?) that was eating something big and black (coot?) on the  
beach, but evaporated into the weather upon my arrival.  One sparrow  
at Cove East gave me fits, since it refused to flush up, but chose  
instead to scurry around like a mouse.  That sort of behavior always  
make me think I might be dealing with something a little more exotic,  
but who knows?  It was also neat to see swarms of Yellow-rumps working  
the blossoms on the rabbitbrush.  On the other side of the river were  
about 25 Gr. White-fronted Geese, a snipe, hundreds of pipits, and two  
other intrepid birders that I saw from the west side but that had  
split by the time I got over there.  The pipits were everywhere; I  
even saw a few land on lily pads in the marsh.  It was pretty  
interesting to see them shuffling along into the wind, foraging along  
in the mud, each with a dollop of snow pasted to its forehead.  A  
quick stop at Lake Forest produced nothing new.
Will Richardson
Truckee, CA
Subject: Heermann's Gull and more at Cove East
From: "Don Harriman" <donh AT netfeed.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:58:29 -0000
A few birds of interest at Cove East on the south shore around sunset
this evening.

In the mix of gulls by the channel mouth, 2 Heermann's Gulls (all dark
- 2nd winter according to Sibley), 2 American Avocets, and 5 Marbled
Godwits.

Out on the delta, a nice gaggle of Greater White-fronted Geese (25+).

Don Harriman
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Subject: Tahoe follow-up
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 17:53:54 -0700
I never made it down to S. Lake today, but I did bird Lake Forest and  
Pomin for a spell with Deren Ross.  Quite birdy everywhere, it  
seemed.  The story of the day was pipits and speckle-bellies.  Todd  
and John said they had a flock of about 40 Greater White-fronted Geese  
at S. Lake.  We had 4 at Lake Forest, and then there was another 2 at  
the Truckee R. outlet.  Sounds like they're all over Nevada and the  
East Side of the Sierra right now too.  Also co-occurring across that  
region are Franklin's Gulls, and it sounds like some S. Lake birders  
picked one up at the Upper Truckee River delta yesterday, surely one  
of the pair seen today.  Todd and John also reported some avocets,  
yellowlegs, and Western Sandpipers.  Deren had a few Sabine's at Lake  
Forest that I didn't see.  At least one Brewer's Sparrow at Pomin  
pushes my late date back a few days, and Common Yellowthroats (Pomin  
and Truckee R. outlet) and Western Sandpipers ought to be moving along  
soon too.  My best bird today was probably a Lark Sparrow at Pomin.   
Also, S. Lake birders are reporting that a kite continues at the Upper  
Truckee River Marsh.  Tomorrow, I'll try a little harder to get down  
to the southern end of the lake.
Will Richardson
Truckee, CA
Subject: Re: Tahoe Franklin's Gulls
From: derenross AT sbcglobal.net
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 16:41:45 +0000
Will and All,

I checked Lake Forest early this AM (0640-0830). A Bald Eagle and a 
Black-bellied Plover were the only birds of note at that time. I plan to make a 
second pass around 10am. 


Deren Ross
Tahoe City    
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Richardson 

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 08:37:14 
To: Sierra Nevada Birds
Subject: [SierraNevadaBirds] Tahoe Franklin's Gulls


Just got a call from Todd Easterla and John Sterling, who had  two  
Franklin's Gulls at the Upper Truckee R. delta this morning.  Also  
present were hundreds of American Pipits.  Last Saturday, Todd (and  
John?) also had a  Burrowing Owl and a hatch-year male Rose-breasted  
Grosbeak down there.  The owl was at Cove East and flew into the  
condos across the marina.  The grosbeak was at the condos feeding on  
Mtn. Ash (I think).  I'm heading down to check Lake Forest and Pomin  
right now (0830)...
Will Richardson
Truckee, CA



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tahoe Franklin's Gulls
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 08:37:14 -0700
Just got a call from Todd Easterla and John Sterling, who had  two  
Franklin's Gulls at the Upper Truckee R. delta this morning.  Also  
present were hundreds of American Pipits.  Last Saturday, Todd (and  
John?) also had a  Burrowing Owl and a hatch-year male Rose-breasted  
Grosbeak down there.  The owl was at Cove East and flew into the  
condos across the marina.  The grosbeak was at the condos feeding on  
Mtn. Ash (I think).  I'm heading down to check Lake Forest and Pomin  
right now (0830)...
Will Richardson
Truckee, CA
Subject: Second-hand report -- Sandhill Cranes at Martis Lake
From: martin AT sierrabirdbum.com
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:03:22 -0700
Bob Goodman, a Reno area birder and photographer, sent me a note last
night that he saw (and photographed) two Sandhill Cranes at the inlet
end of Martis Lake yesterday (9/30).  I'm not exactly sure where they
were, so I don't know which county they were in -- perhaps both at some
point (the county line between Placer and Nevada at Martis Lake is
tricky).  

I'm down in L.A. so I can't check it out today, but if anyone is out and
about, it might be worth taking a look.

Martin


---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA

Subject: Tahoe Scrub-Jays
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:06:43 -0700
A few questions about Tahoe scrub-jays lately, so I thought I'd go  
ahead and reply to the whole list.  They are not resident in the Lake  
Tahoe basin, but wander through during spring and fall, occasionally  
in twos or threes but most often singly.  These birds typically are  
encountered at or near the lakeshore at the "migrant hotspots" (Lake  
Forest, Pomin, Taylor Cr. Marsh/Baldwin Beach, Cove East), but I've  
also seen them well away from the lake (e.g. Bliss Pond) so this  
pattern is probably more reflective of where the birders are  
concentrating.  The peak, expected periods are from mid-April to mid- 
May and from mid-September through October; "fall" birds have been  
found as late as early January.  Thus far, every scrub-jay I've seen  
personally at Tahoe has been of the californica subspecies group (A.  
c. superciliosa (oocleptica)) typical of Reno and Carson City.   
However, Bill Hart found a group of seven at Lower Echo Lake that he  
believed was of the interior form (A. c. woodhouseii (nevadae), 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sierra-nevadabirds/message/1422) 

, which start to occur just south of Minden/Gardnerville and in the  
Virginia and Pine Nut Mtns. on the other side of Reno and Carson.  Ray  
(1910) describes seeing Woodhouse’s Jay up to 6500’ on the east side  
of Spooner Summit during a summer trip, but his description leaves  
much to be desired "on account of its close resemblance in song,  
habits, and coloration to our common California bird."  He's basically  
saying that it sounded, acted, and looked just like a californica- 
type, and I suspect that it was; that's the default subspecies.

After the light rains this afternoon/eve (9/29), I popped down to Lake  
Forest for a bit.  Still two Sabine's Gulls out there, and one very  
distant Sterna.  Two absolutely stunning-looking, blue-gray headed,  
white-superclium-and-chin-havin', pale underparted Orange-crowned  
Warblers at Pomin Park.  Where orestera ends and celata begins, I have  
no idea.  A little less color on the flanks would have made it hard to  
call these two anything but "eastern," but perhaps they simply  
represented the bolder, cleaner, paler extreme of orestera.  Who  
knows?  Great sunset, too!!

Will Richardson
Truckee, CA

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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Subject: Granlibakken last week
From: "Perrone, Michael" <mperrone AT water.ca.gov>
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:20:04 -0700
At the Granlibakken conference center (Tahoe City) on Sept 25 there was
an adult scrub jay.  I gather this species has been in the Tahoe area
for a while, but it was still boggling to see one in the land of
white-headed woodpeckers and Clark's nutcrackers.  An entirely black
(not dark brown; black) immature red-tailed hawk perched in a fir
nearby.

   Near the Highway 89 bridge over the Truckee River the same afternoon
was a Cassin's vireo among the chickadees.

 

Michael Perrone

Department of Water Resources

Division of Environmental Services

1725 23d Street, Suite 220

Sacramento CA 95816

(916) 445-6452

mperrone AT water.ca.gov

 

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tahoe stuff
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:55:20 -0700
I took my ankle out birding today to see how much it could handle.   
Not much, it turns out.  Despite that, and all the motorcycles and  
marathoners, I did manage to find some interesting birds at Lake  
Forest and the Upper Truckee River Marsh/Delta.  Some notables-

Lake Forest (water was like glass):
1 Semipalmated Plover
~5 "Commic" Terns
3 Sabine's Gulls
a smattering of distant phalaropes, out on the open seas
both Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, keeping the jays very busy and  
vocal
1 Western Scrub-Jay
3 Cedar Waxwings
Lots of the usual passerine suspects in and around the "island"

Upper Truckee area (n. breeze ahead of front moving in made for a  
steady onshore wind):
4 Marbled Godwit
lots of American Pipits out on the beach
1 Least Sandpiper
1 Semipalmated Plover
a bunch of Wigeon
1 Great Egret among several Great Blue Herons
2 Northern Harriers
1 Juv. White-tailed Kite.  Cool little bird - it looked like it was  
playing tag with a few of the magpies for a while.  Definitely not the  
same kite as last year; this bird still has a fairly dingy back, light  
tawny mottling on its breast and stronger color on its crown, and an  
obvious necklace of orangish streaks.  This bird was hanging out at  
the very southern (upstream) end of the meadow, and disappeared  
inland, over the lodgepoles, when I left it.

Pope's Marsh looked bone dry from Venice Drive, although there may be  
water at the other end.  Regardless, a big change from this spring;  
the lake has really dropped dramatically.

I also saw a Red-shouldered Hawk flying downstream over the Truckee  
River, just n. of Tahoe City.

We're expecting some weather tonight, tomorrow, and possibly Tuesday...

Will Richardson
Truckee, CA
Subject: Nevada County
From: "Rudy Darling" <rdarling AT sbbmail.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:42:29 -0700
Hi all,

Just a quick note before I have to run. Brian O'Connor and I spent the day in 
the Truckee area. Best bird was Eurasian Wigeon at Martis Creek Reservoir. It 
swam back and forth between Nevada and Placer Counties, so it was a two-county 
bird for both of us. 


There were also a Horned Grebe and a Greater Yellowlegs at Prosser Reservoir at 
the Alder Creek end. The place was loaded with waterfowl. 


An immature Golden Eagle was soaring over the hills above Boca Reservoir.

Rudy Darling
Nevada City

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: American Wigeon at Cameron Park Lake
From: "at_jackson AT sbcglobal.net" <at_jackson@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:40:25 -0700
There were four American Wigeon at Cameron Park Lake yesterday morning 
(Thursday, 9/25).  They were hanging out just off the point of land with 
the gazeebo on it.

Tim & Angela Jackson
Shingle Springs, CA
Subject: American Wigeon at Cameron Park Lake
From: "at_jackson AT sbcglobal.net" <at_jackson@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:40:25 -0700
There were four American Wigeon at Cameron Park Lake yesterday morning 
(Thursday, 9/25).  They were hanging out just off the point of land with 
the gazeebo on it.

Tim & Angela Jackson
Shingle Springs, CA
Subject: a few Tahoe birds
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:44:01 -0700
I spent the last few hours of morning at Lake Forest and Pomin Park  
today.  There was a strong breeze at Lake Forest, and still plenty of  
Sterna terns around.  I saw both Common and Forsters, but didn't have  
the guts (or the proximity) to call anything an Arctic.  I also  
counted seven Sabine's, including two adults.  Also out on the water  
were a few scattered phalaropes.  No jaegers today.  Pomin was  
absolutely stuffed with Spizella sparrows.  I played "Find the Clay- 
colored" for at least an hour, but came up short.  Still plenty of  
other passerines in the mix as well, including one Wilson's Warbler.

Also worth mentioning, the S. Lake Tahoe grapevine is reporting that a  
White-tailed Kite is back at the Upper Truckee River Marsh (as of  
yesterday).

Will Richardson
Truckee, CA
Subject: South Lake Tahoe/Cove East
From: Susan Stevenson <sssfromslt AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:11:09 -0700 (PDT)
9/24/08 (8am to 11:30am)
 
A pleasant morning of birding at Cove East in South Lake Tahoe with Don and 
Lynn Harriman, Alice Jones, and Sheryl Ferguson revealed some birds of 
interest: 

 
White-tailed Kite
Falcon (unknown) large distant falcon flying into the meadow from the lake
Marbled Godwit (2) fall plumage
Caspian Tern (2)
Barn Swallows
Western Bluebirds (nice flock)
plus many more regulars
 
Back in Meyers, the Anna's hummingbirds are still holding ground at my feeders. 
One little guy maintained his perch at the top of a white fir today, while the 
wind was blowing fiercely. It has been a great summer for hummers....we had a 
phenomenally large group of Rufous Hummingbirds feeding on a patch of thistle 
in the burn area, observed in August. Our local wildlife photographer, Jim 
Stamates (www.stamates.com) achieved some terrific images of them.  

 
Sue Stevenson
South Lake Tahoe 
 
 
 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Kayaking Tahoe
From: "Kirk Hardie" <krhardie AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:27:11 -0700
Hello birders,

I went kayaking on Sunday from Tahoe City out to Lake Forest. There were
white caps out there, so the birding was quite difficult at times. I didn't
see too much, but two of the SABINE'S GULLS were still present and actively
scouring the water. They were in non-breeding plumage. I didn't spot any
Jaegers. Here's the list for the day:

Horned Grebe

Eared Grebe

Canada Goose

Common Merganser

Killdeer

Sabine's Gull

California Gull

Steller's Jay

Barn Swallow

Brewer's Blackbird

 

Kirk Hardie

Reno, NV

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: FOS Golden-crowned Sparrow
From: rdarling AT sbbmail.com
Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:30:33 -0400
Greetings,

This morning my first-of-season GC Sparrow (imm.) showed up at my feeders at 
work near Lake Wildwood in Penn Valley, Nevada County. This is the earliest 
date I have in my records here (five years), and the same week my FOS WC 
Sparrow arrived. Fall is definitely here. 


Rudy Darling
Nevada City, CA
Subject: Parasitic Jaeger at Lake Tahoe (Placer)
From: ERPfromCA AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:48:07 EDT
Early this morning Dennis Cavallo and I found a PARASITIC  JAEGER at Lake 
Forest (south end of Bristlecone St.) at the north shore of  Lake Tahoe. Got 
great looks during its first time through harassing the gulls.  Made a second, 
brief, pass through about an hour later.
 
Also here were two SANDERLINGs, several SABINE'S GULLs and COMMON  TERNs and 
a distant 'large' loon.
 
 
Ed Pandolfino
Carmichael



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tahoe Pileated
From: Richard Carlson <rccarl AT pacbell.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:42:50 -0700 (PDT)
Finally, after all these years, I can add Pileated Woodpecker to my yard list. 
I've heard suspicious distant calls, but no clear sighting until today. He's 
hanging around the upper end of Tahoe park Heights Drive near Tahoe CIty . 
(google for details). 


We're heading south so we won't be around. Welcome to come look, but this does 
not entitle anyone to camp in our front year, park in our drive etc.,, etc. 


Sooty Grouse have visited us rarely this last week. I gues I didn't feed them 
enough. 




 Richard Carlson
Full-time Birder, Biker and Rotarian
Part-time Economist
Tucson, AZ, Lake Tahoe, CA, & Kirkland, WA
rccarl AT pacbell.net
Tucson 520-760-4935
Tahoe 530-581-0624
Kirkland 425-828-3819
Cell 650-280-2965
Subject: White-crowned Sparrow Return Dates
From: "at_jackson AT sbcglobal.net" <at_jackson@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:16:28 -0700
White-crowned Sparrows returned to our yard today (9/15).  Here are the 
return dates for most of the last 8 years (we missed 2004 due to the 
distractions of moving).

2001 - 9/15
2002 - 9/19
2003 - 9/22
2005 - 9/17
2006 - 9/18
2007 - 9/19
2008 - 9/15

Tim & Angela Jackson
Shingle Springs, CA
Elevation 1500 feet
Subject: White-crowned Sparrow Return Dates
From: "at_jackson AT sbcglobal.net" <at_jackson@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:16:28 -0700
White-crowned Sparrows returned to our yard today (9/15).  Here are the 
return dates for most of the last 8 years (we missed 2004 due to the 
distractions of moving).

2001 - 9/15
2002 - 9/19
2003 - 9/22
2005 - 9/17
2006 - 9/18
2007 - 9/19
2008 - 9/15

Tim & Angela Jackson
Shingle Springs, CA
Elevation 1500 feet
Subject: Re: Sierra mystery (?) sound
From: wildlightphoto AT earthlink.net
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:19:18 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
I agree.

Doug Herr
Orangevale
http://www.wildlightphoto.com

-----Original Message-----
>From: Chris 
>Sent: Sep 14, 2008 5:28 PM
>To: David Kuhn , sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [SierraNevadaBirds] Sierra mystery (?) sound
>
>Sounds like a beaver slapping it¹s tail to me.
>
>-Chris
>
>
>David Kuhn says:
>
>>  
>>  
>> 
>> Hi Sierra denizens, here is an odd sound I recorded at 8000'
>> elevation, central
>> Sierra, in mid-August. I was camped on a bluff 100' above this small
>> (about 200' across) lake. Too dark to see what was happening, but I
>> had
>> observed Mallard and Scaup in daylight. No aquatic mammals there that
>> I
>> know of. The percussive sounds in question sound anthropogenic, but I
>> am certain there were no other two-leggeds around. The echo is from
>> the
>> surrounding rocky bluffs. You can hear my dying campfire. Anyone have
>> an idea what this might be? I'm perplexed.
>> 
>> http://soundshawaiian.com/mp3/Sierraducks%208000'.mp3
>> 
>> or if that fails
>> 
>> http://tinyurl.com/5f6tjn
>> 
>> Equipment--Modified MKH20 SASS into SD 702.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> David
>> 
>>  
>>     
>
>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Subject: Re: Sierra mystery (?) sound
From: Chris <cmi33 AT betterplacetobe.net>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:28:05 -0700
Sounds like a beaver slapping it¹s tail to me.

-Chris


David Kuhn says:

>  
>  
> 
> Hi Sierra denizens, here is an odd sound I recorded at 8000'
> elevation, central
> Sierra, in mid-August. I was camped on a bluff 100' above this small
> (about 200' across) lake. Too dark to see what was happening, but I
> had
> observed Mallard and Scaup in daylight. No aquatic mammals there that
> I
> know of. The percussive sounds in question sound anthropogenic, but I
> am certain there were no other two-leggeds around. The echo is from
> the
> surrounding rocky bluffs. You can hear my dying campfire. Anyone have
> an idea what this might be? I'm perplexed.
> 
> http://soundshawaiian.com/mp3/Sierraducks%208000'.mp3
> 
> or if that fails
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/5f6tjn
> 
> Equipment--Modified MKH20 SASS into SD 702.
> 
> Thanks,
> David
> 
>  
>     




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Sierra mystery (?) sound
From: "David Kuhn" <dkuhn AT rare-dear.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:31:19 -0000
Hi Sierra denizens, here is an odd sound I recorded at 8000' 
elevation, central
Sierra, in mid-August. I was camped on a bluff 100' above this small
(about 200' across) lake. Too dark to see what was happening, but I 
had
observed Mallard and Scaup in daylight. No aquatic mammals there that 
I
know of. The percussive sounds in question sound anthropogenic, but I
am certain there were no other two-leggeds around. The echo is from 
the
surrounding rocky bluffs. You can hear my dying campfire. Anyone have
an idea what this might be? I'm perplexed.

http://soundshawaiian.com/mp3/Sierraducks%208000'.mp3

or if that fails

http://tinyurl.com/5f6tjn

Equipment--Modified MKH20 SASS into SD 702.

Thanks,
David

Subject: Modoc Birds 9/10-11
From: Steve Glover <countylines AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:53:16 -0700 (PDT)
Hi all,

On 9/10 and 9/11 a group of us birded Modoc County. On 9/10, after birding 
Siskiyou County all day, we had a Green Heron at the southeast corner of Tule 
Lake. I gather this species isn't terribly common in the area and it was new 
for me in the county. 


We spent all day on 9/11 in Modoc County. Some of the highlights included 
outstanding looks at a Juniper Titmouse along the highway just northeast of 
Dorris Res. near Modoc N.W.R. There were also a couple of Lesser Yellowlegs and 
two Greater White-fronted Geese at the lake. 


As is often the case, there was no water anywhere near the causeway at Goose 
Lake. Any birds present were quite far away and we were unable to pick out 
anything more interesting than 3 Black-bellied Plover. A Lewis's Woodpecker was 
at the first house after turning off Hwy 395 and single Peregrine Falcons and 
Ferruginous Hawks were nearby. 


At Goose Lake State Park, Larry Gibbs found an American Redstart. It was in the 
trees overhanging the picnic area just north of the road. Maps seem to show the 
road as being the border between California and Oregon, which would place the 
bird in Oregon. However, I thought I remembered that the line was slightly 
north of the road and my GPS put the location in California. I'm sure some of 
you can help with this. 


At a feeder in Ft. Bidwell we had a Black-chinned Hummingbird and an Anna's 
Hummingbird which was both seen and heard. I think Steve Rottenborn had an 
Anna's here recently but previous county records were all from areas further 
west, particularly around Day. 


At dusk a single Common Nighthawk was at the Modoc N.W.R.

Good birding, 
Steve Glover
Dublin, CA
Subject: Lassen County jaeger, Chestnut-sided Warbler
From: Steve Glover <countylines AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:41:04 -0700 (PDT)
Hi all,
Yesterday, 9/12, I birded the Eagle Lake area with a group of friends. The 
highlight was a young Chestnut-sided Warbler visiting the feeders and water at 
the campground host's campsite. It was first spotted by Bob Dunn. This is the 
campground on Rd. A-1 near the intersection with Hwy 139 at the north end of 
the lake. Later, from the day use area near the southwest corner of the lake, 
we watched a jaeger chasing gulls well across the lake. It was too far away to 
identify with certainty but most definitely was not a Pomarine and was likely a 
Parasitic. Also near the day use area was a striking all-white Eared Grebe. 

Good birding,
Steve Glover
Dublin, CA
Subject: Sabine's Gull and Common Tern at N. Lake Tahoe
From: ERPfromCA AT aol.com
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:59:18 EDT
Deren Ross and Dennis Cavallo, responding to Will Richardson's prompt,  
visited Lake Forest (south end of Bristlecone) at north Lake Tahoe (Placer 
County) 

and found both Sabine's Gull and Common Tern this morning.
 
 
The Sabine's Gull puts our Placer Big Year cumulative species total at 268,  
one more than Todd Easterla found in Placer during his (solo) record big year 
in  1999.
 
 
Ed Pandolfino



**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, 
plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.      
(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Lake Forest coverage?
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:07:08 -0700
Winds haven't been ideal, but looky what they've been getting down on  
the East Side:

"Parasitic Jaeger attacks 5 Sabine's Gulls at Crowley

Observers: Justin Hite
...

Crowley this afternoon was spectacular. Moments after arriving I  
spotted a juv Parasitic Jaeger (a bit of overall rufousness, and white  
windows above and below in the wings) giving the Avocets some grief.  
It divided it's time between tranquil repose on the water and half- 
hearted attempts to coax food out of 2 Common and 3 Caspian Terns.  
Then all of a sudden it flushed up a group of 5 Sabine's Gulls (1  
adult, 4 juvs) and chased them around. Something I've always wanted to  
see...a Jaeger attacking a Sabine's in the eastern sierra. 3  
Sanderling and 5 Short-billed Dowitchers were the only other  
shorebirds. And this morning at Deep Springs, there were 8 species of  
warblers (all western species), the coolest being a male Townsend's  
and a Yellow-breasted Chat."

 From the Eastern Sierra page: http://esaudubon.org/birds/

Any jaegers or Sabine's yet for the PBY folk?  Sorry I can't be out  
there scouting, but somebody ought to be checking, especially after or  
during a little wind.  Maybe some weather next Tuesday...



Will Richardson

Truckee, CA










[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: RFI: North Tahoe
From: "Alison Sheehey" <natureali AT lightspeed.net>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:34:42 -0700
Hi All,

I am heading to Tahoe for the very first time to attend this weekend's
Sierra Nevada Alliance Conference. I would like to do some birding and
possibly see some lifers. Any information on Rosy-finch or Black-backed
Woodpecker would be sensational!

I haven't had time to research the area so any help would be most graciously
accepted. 
Thanks,

Ali

P.S. I will be there Friday through Sunday. Anyone who knows the area and
could help... my cell # 760-417-0268 

Alison Sheehey - Outreach Program Coordinator 
Audubon California Kern River Preserve 
P.O. Box 153
Weldon, CA 93283 
 
760-378-2029 
***************************** 
http://kern.audubon.org - "Protecting the South Fork Kern River riparian
forest and the wildlife that calls it home." 
Subject: Target birds
From: "Brendan OSullivan" <josullivan3560 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:54:21 -0000
I plan to visit your great state next year. My brother-in-law lives 
in Fresno so I would be based there but plan to travel around.
          I have a fairly short list of target birds. These are:
Tricolored Blackbird
Northern Pygmy Owl
Hermit Warbler
Mountain Quail
Sooty Grouse
Greater Sage Grouse
White-Tailed Ptarmigan
Chukar
Pinion Jay
Cassin's Vireo
Cassin's Finch
American Dipper

My priorities are all of these birds minus the "chickens" as I know 
they are a hit-and-miss.

I would appreciate any suggestions as to the better places to try for 
these birds and the best time of year---I was planning on early May 
but I am worried that some of the areas may still be inaccessible by 
snow then: if so would August be better?

Thanks in advance

Brendan O'Sullivan
Mississauga
Ontario
Subject: Re: Visitor in search of Pine Grosbeak
From: wildlightphoto AT earthlink.net
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:49:05 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Kevin Liberg  wrote:

>I am heading to the area this weekend (staying in Incline Village) and
>am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where to look for Pine
>Grosbeaks.

In Amador County near Silver Lake I saw a flock last weekend on the Granite 
Lake trail: 


http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/fringillidae/pigr00.jpg

What puzzles me is that the birds were eating some part of the blossom of 
either a Monkshood or Larkspur, either of which is supposed to be toxic. Either 
the Pine Grosbeak is immune to the toxin, or there is a time of year when the 
toxin is minimal, or this flock is operating on a very short time scale. 


Doug Herr
Sacramento
http://www.wildlightphoto.com

Subject: Incline Pine Grosbeaks
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:40:52 -0700
They can be found just about anywhere up there near Mt. Rose Summit.   
I've spent a lot of time in the last two summers along the Relay Pk.  
Road, and they've been scarce, but the rest of the area up there seems  
to always produce.  The Ophir trail seems to be THE go-to spot for  
Nevadans to get their "year" Pine Grosbeaks.  Anywhere along the edge  
of Tahoe Meadows, along the road to Incline Lake, that whole area.   
Just take 431 to the top and wander around for a few hours, and know  
what to listen for.  Good luck!
Subject: RE: Visitor in search of Pine Grosbeak
From: "Bruce Webb" <BruWebb AT surewest.net>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 22:18:27 -0700
Kevin and others:

From the trailhead at Mt Rose Summit, along the Mt. Rose Highway #431. I
have hiked to the waterfall (a few miles) and have seen them in several
places along the trail.  It is close to Incline Village. 

Bruce Webb 
Granite Bay, CA
eBird compatible software products
http://home.surewest.net/bruwebb/Pocket-PC.htm


-----Original Message-----
From: sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com
[mailto:sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Liberg
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 9:21 PM
To: sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com
Subject: [SierraNevadaBirds] Visitor in search of Pine Grosbeak

I am heading to the area this weekend (staying in Incline Village) and
am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where to look for Pine
Grosbeaks.

Thank You
Kevin Liberg
San Francisco, CA




No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.19/1663 - Release Date: 9/9/2008
7:04 PM
 


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Subject: Visitor in search of Pine Grosbeak
From: "Kevin Liberg" <klibe AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:21:00 -0000
I am heading to the area this weekend (staying in Incline Village) and
am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where to look for Pine
Grosbeaks.

Thank You
Kevin Liberg
San Francisco, CA
Subject: Upper Truckee River mouth 9/8
From: Ryan Phillips <harpiabz AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:27:37 -0700 (PDT)
Hi Everyone,
Shorebird habitat at the Upper Truckee River mouth is unreal. I have never seen 
the water so low allowing for great shorebirding. I spent only about 45 minutes 
and observed the following. 

Highlights:
2 SANDERLINGS
1 Semipalmated Plover
1 dowitcher(unknown species)
10 White-faced Ibis
2 Great Blue-Herons
1 juvenile Northern Harrier
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Spotted Sandpiper
20+ peeps(mainly Least, with 2 that I could not ID; black bill and legs, 
small-medium sized, solid brown wash on all of breast like Pectoral, but no 
Pec, bill fairly short. first glance looked like Least, but had black legs and 
solid wash on breast, any ideas) I have no guides with me and nothing is 
clicking. 


If someone has time to bird this area it needs to be done as there is a lot of 
shorebird habitat that will take some time scoping through. 


Good Birding.

 Ryan Phillips
Campbell/Meyers, CA


Raptor Biologist
De Anza College Wildlife Corridor Stewardship Team
Belize Raptor Research Institute


www.belizeraptors.com
(831) 234-7324



      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: NEV Western Sandpiper
From: "Rudy Darling" <rdarling AT sbbmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 22:42:23 -0700
Hello all,

Today, Monday, Brian O'Connor found a juvenile Western Sandpiper at the 
Lake-of-the-Pines WWTP (Western Nevada County) in the pond by the front gate 
(the only one officially open to the public). It was with a Least Sandpiper. I 
re-found both birds in the evening. Westerns aren't easy to come by in Nevada 
County - it was only my first sighting. 


Rudy Darling
Nevada City

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tahoe Gnatcatcher
From: Richard Carlson <rccarl AT pacbell.net>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 13:31:44 -0700 (PDT)
We were having a nice morning at Lake Forest when I heard my favorite 
high-pitched squeek: A Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. I've never seen one before at 
Tahoe. He tail twitched for us and gave lovely views. We also found Nashville, 
Yellow-rumped, Yellow, Orange-crowned & McGillivray's warblers. There were 
Pewees and Olive-sided Flycatchers galore plus a family of Scruffy looking 
(molting?) Red-breasted Sapsuckers. 


No shorebirds except for a Killdeer.

 Richard Carlson
Full-time Birder, Biker and Rotarian
Part-time Economist
Tucson, AZ, Lake Tahoe, CA, & Kirkland, WA
rccarl AT pacbell.net
Tucson 520-760-4935
Tahoe 530-581-0624
Kirkland 425-828-3819
Cell 650-280-2965
Subject: Semipalmated Sandpiper-Placer Co.
From: "Deren Ross" <derenross AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:01:54 -0000
Dear Birders,

Late this morning, a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (PLA) was found in a 
flooded field in Western Placer County.  

Location: North Brewer Road. Three-quarters of a mile north of 
Nicholas Road.  Several flooded field along the west side of the 
road provide for good shorebird habitat and good viewing 
opportunities.  The sandpiper was found on the north end of the 
field, about mid-way out, and amongst the Least and Western 
Sandpipers but stayed closer to the Westerns. Currently,Placer has 
very little in the way of shorebird habitat and these flooded field 
are welcome site this time of year.  Other birds included Baird 
Sandpiper, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Dowitcher, Marbled 
Godwits (yesterday), Ibis, and Greater Yellowlegs.

I ran into Todd E. out there yesterday and he mentioned that 
Semipalms would be coming in anyday now.  Nice Call!

Bruce Webb, Ed Pandolfino, John Sterling, and Mark Aring confirmed 
the sighting.

Best of birding,
Deren Ross
Auburn, Ca    
Subject: Sanderling and Black Tern at n. Lake Tahoe (Placer County)
From: ERPfromCA AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 23:57:29 EDT
This morning Deren Ross, Dennis Cavallo and I visited Lake Forest at the  
north end of Lake Tahoe (at the south end of Bristlecone St.). The Franklin's  
Gull that Deren found here yesterday was nowhere to be found, but we did find  
one juvenile SANDERLING and one BLACK TERN here. 
 
 
Ed Pandolfino



**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel 
deal here.      
(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Franklin's Gull, Terns, Swifts @ Lake Forest
From: Will Richardson <trichard AT unr.nevada.edu>
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 19:53:47 -0700
First and foremost, let me forward an email from Deren Ross, who  
(FINALLY!!) found a Lake Tahoe Franklin's Gull this morning-

"I arrived at Lake Forest at approximately 0620.  It was chilly but  
there was only a light breeze.  After passing the first row of willows  
just beyond the parking area, I scanned for shorebirds and found  
absolutely nothing with exception of Killdeer.  I did notice a good  
number of gulls were roosting, per usual, on the point of the left- 
ward spit.  I walked out to the large to group of willows to seek  
cover from the chilly breeze and to get a better look at the standing  
gulls.  While scanning through them with my scope, I found one of the  
hooded type gulls (immature).  Having Sabine's Gull on the brain and  
at the top of my list for Tahoe this week, I figured this was the most  
likely candidate for hooded gulls and prematurely identified (and  
reported) it as a first cycle Sabine's.  I had good looks with  
excellent light.  I couldn't find my little digital...[ AT #$%]!  I  
quickly pulled out the big camera and saw that the bird was flying  
right over me but my lens was in manual....[ AT #$%]!  Needless to say,   
I missed the photo op.  The gull flew over me and went down, with  
other gulls, on the north side of the spit near a small pier.  I  
scoped it again and it struck me that I didn't have a Sabine's Gull.   
I went back to truck to reference Sibley and quickly discovered that  
it was a Franklin's Gull (First Cycle).   My sense was that I had an  
even better bird for Placer.  I've seen Sabine's but never a  
Franklin's in Placer.  I quickly made a follow-up report to Todd, Ed,  
and Dennis.

The following characteristics were clearly noted in this order.

- Small Gull, of hooded-type group, with a small solid-dark bill.
- Blackish half-hood
- White eye crescents.
- The mantle was 75% gray (molting from brown) and contrasting with  
brownish upper-wings
- Black Tail Band
- Black legs

Based on the above information, it appears that this birds is molting  
from juvenile to first winter.

After two good looks and two sets of phones calls, I went back out  
again but could not locate it.  I did see a Black Tern fly through and  
earlier, just before I found the Franklin's, a sub-adult Peregrine  
swooped in and perched in a nearby pine.  Probably why I didn't see  
any shorebirds. I checked Tahoe City where a large number of gulls  
were feeding and spirling about as the waves broke just off shore.   
Apparently, a variety of food items were getting churned up in the  
white-water.  No luck on the Franklin's."

This WAS a better bird for Placer and Tahoe.  Despite their relative  
regularity as a vagrant/migrant along the eastern Sierra, Reno area,  
etc., I know of zero prior records or reports of a Franklin's Gull for  
the Lake Tahoe basin.  Given that they nest off and on in the somewhat- 
nearby Lahontan Valley of NV, the lack of Tahoe records has always  
confounded me, and I've been holding a spot on my bar charts since the  
first drafts.  It makes perfect sense for one to arrive on a day with  
strong east winds.  After the chain of phone calls reached me this  
morning (thanks Ed!), I got to Lake Forest as fast as possible,  
stopping off for a quick scan of Commons Beach on the way.  Alas, no  
Franklin's Gull was seen by me today.  I did, however, see one distant  
small gull foraging in the manner of a Sabine's or Bonaparte's, out to  
the southeast.  Unfortunately, with only one functional leg and my  
hands attached to crutches, I didn't think I'd be able to manage  
carrying a scope over the rocks without risking serious damage to  
either the scope or myself, so that bird went unidentified.  A quick  
flyby by a small flock of terns on my arrival comprised 2-3 Forsters  
and 5-6 Common.  Martin Meyers showed up after a while, and we spent  
some time trying, mostly in vain, to photograph the many Vaux's Swifts  
that were intermittently cycling through, occasionally in numbers  
upwards of 40 or so.  Swifts were all over that corner of the lake,  
too, and I noticed them at Commons Beach and over downtown Tahoe City  
also.  It was interesting and a bit unusual to see so many swifts  
around without a trace of clouds in the sky.  None particularly  
smacked of Chimney, but the timing would be good, and frankly I was  
having a pretty tough time just trying to keep an eye on them without  
losing my balance.  Another stop by Commons Beach turned up mostly  
Burning Man participants, desperately washing off playa dust despite  
cool temps and blustery winds.

More east winds are expected tonight and through tomorrow afternoon,  
and hopefully will pack everything into the NE corner of the lake, but  
it should be about 10-12 deg. warmer.  Perfect jaeger/Sabine's/ 
ArcticTern/swifts/who-knows-what viewing weather.  Good Luck!!

Will Richardson
Truckee, CA






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Birds of many feathers...
From: "Lisa Moraga" <ploverlover AT att.net>
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 14:56:20 -0700
This morning, I observed the following birds in the canopy of one large Incense 
Cedar: 4-5 MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, 2 BROWN CREEPER, 1 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 1 
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 1 WILSON'S WARBLER, 2-3 BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, 
and 1 NASHVILLE WARBLER. When I thought that was enough for one tree... a 
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET decided to join the gang! A WESTERN-WOOD PEWEE watched 
the commotion from his perch across the way. Oh, what a birdy morning! The 
NORTHERN PYGMY- OWL that I have been hearing every morning decided to keep 
quiet today...probably due to the holiday weekend human reveler's motorbike 
noises! 


Lisa Moraga
Pioneer-Elev. 4000'

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: RT Hummer a no-show on Monday
From: "Rudy Darling" <rdarling AT sbbmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 10:58:35 -0700
Hi,

It's almost 11:00 Monday morning and the Ruby-throat has not yet appeared. We 
suspect it rode the cold front out of town. If it shows up later, I'll post as 
soon as we see it. If not, assume it's gone. It was fun while it lasted. About 
55 people have come and all but one saw it while it was here. Five have come 
today and are still waiting hopefully. 


Rudy Darling
Nevada City

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Hybrid Hermit/Townsend's Warblers, Jackson Meadow area, Sierra Co. (forward)
From: martin AT sierrabirdbum.com
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:20:10 -0700
Alan Wallace of Reno asked me to forward this to the Sierra Nevada list.

----------------
While exploring old logging roads just northeast of Jackson Meadow
Reservoir
in Sierra County, I found a mixed flock of deep-woods birds. Species
included Cassins' Vireo, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Hermit Warbler, and hybrid
Hermit/Townsend's Warbler. The flock had at least several dozen very
active
birds, including more than a dozen (possibly many more) Hermits and
hybrids.
The relative pure Hermit Warblers included adult males and females and
first-fall males, with one first-fall female; all but the latter had
pretty
distinct, clear yellow faces and foreheads and no streaking on the
whitish
flanks. The hybrids had streaking and some yellow on the flanks,
variable
blackish crowns down through the foreheads, and variable cheek patches
that
were darker grayer and more distinct than first-year Hermits. I use the
word variable because different birds had different combinations of
characteristics. I did not see any birds that I would call a pure
Townsend's: they all seemed to be variations on a Hermit-dominant
plumage.
Several of the combinations were similar to those pictured in Eckert's
2001
article in Birding (p. 342-350) and in Dunn and Garrett's Warbler book.
Eckert notes that hybridization occurs only in northwestern Oregon and
western Washington, so these hybrids must be migrating, possibly joining
a
more local flock of chickadees, nuthatches, and creepers on their way
through.

Alan Wallace
Reno NV

---------------
 Martin Meyers
 email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
 Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
 Truckee, CA



Subject: Nevada County east side
From: "Rudy Darling" <rdarling AT sbbmail.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:11:26 -0700
Hello all,

Today I tore myself away from the Ruby-throated Hummingbird to go with Brian 
O'Connor and Barney Kroeger to the Truckee area to see what has flown in. 


First up was Prosser Reservoir. Birds of note were: Am. Kestrel, N. Harrier, 
Merlin, Vaux Swifts, and Least Sandpipers. 


Next up was Boca Reservoir: 4 Black-necked Stilts, a flock of about 20 
Red-necked Phalaropes, Vaux's Swift, and oodles of swallows, mostly 
Violet-green and Barn (same at Prosser). 


Nothing noteworthy at Martis Creek Reservoir.

At Lake van Norden we scared up a Sharp-shinned Hawk and spied a Wilson's 
Warbler. 


It was a pleasant, albeit windy day in the Sierra.

Rudy Darling
Nevada City



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Ruby-throat day 9
From: "Rudy Darling" <rdarling AT sbbmail.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:44:55 -0700
Yes, it's still here on Sunday, Aug. 31. My wife first saw it around 6:30 AM. 
It was perched by the feeder and was chasing away other hummers. It was seen 
numerous times throughout the day. 


During yesterday's observations I noted that the Ruby-throat is the dominant 
hummer in the yard now. A female/juvenile Selasphorus was next in line, 
followed by the male Anna's. At the bottom of the pecking order was the female 
Anna's. 


Another observation that was mentioned by John Lewis is that the bird flies 
very slowly and smoothly. At times it looks like it is descending by parachute 
to the feeder. It is quite unlike the darting flight with quick application of 
the brakes that characterizes the Anna's. 


It seems to be getting used to being watched by birders. It is much less 
skittish than when it first arrived. I also seems to be adjusting to flash 
photography. Steve Abbott took some great photos, which can be viewed at his 
blog http://papasula.blogspot.com (not a hyperlink - someday I'll figure out 
how to do that). 


Rudy Darling
Nevada City

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: (Neveda County) Ruby-throated Hummingbird day 8, Saturday 30 August 2008
From: "Mike Feighner" <feinerVogel94551 AT comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:04:19 -0700
Birders:

Yesterday I was the first to arrive at 8:40 AM.  I am not aware of
observations for today, 31 August 2008, but would expect/hope that sightings
continued today, 31 August 2008.


Saturday, 30 August 2008:

First bird to arrive was a single male Anna's Hummingbird.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird's first arrival was at 8:57 AM with a visit
to the feeder over the deck.  It departed to the north at 8:57 AM.

Other birders began arriving:  Jim Rowoth (of Stockton, San Joaquin County),
Liz West (of Galt, Sacramento County), Bev Beck (of Sanger, Fresno County),
Lynn Hemink (of Clovis, Fresno County), Pete Fahey (of Clovis, Fresno
County),  Bruce Web (of Granite Bay, Placer County), Steve Abbott (of
Cameron Park, El Dorado County), Mark Fenner and family (of Rancho Cordova,
Sacramento County).

The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird made four additional visits to the feeder
over the deck, to the Madrone Tree above the deck, and to a small Cherry
Tree near the bird bath through 11:26 AM when I departed. 

Recorded AM visit times (with exits always to the north):

8:57-8:59
9:32-9:36
10:03-10:04
10:34-10:35
10:44-10:58

There are nine previously accepted records of Ruby-throated Hummingbird in
California, the first being adult male, caught accidentally in a mist net
intended to trap bats at Sagehen Creek Field Station (Nevada County) on 15
May 1975.

Other species heard or seen:

Red-shouldered Hawk (heard only)
Anna's Hummingbird (seen)
Acorn Woodpecker (heard only)
Downie Woodpecker (heard only)
Pileated Woodpecker (heard only)
Steller's Jay (heard only)
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (heard only)
Brown Creeper (heard only)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (seen)
Dark-eyed Junco (seen)

See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sierra-nevadabirds/message/2380 for
contact information.

--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County
www.tanageroptics.com (under development, stand-by)
 

>-----Original Message-----
>From: sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com 
>[mailto:sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Rudy Darling
>Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 9:48 AM
>To: sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [SierraNevadaBirds] Ruby-throat day 8
>
>Good morning,
>
>Just a quick not to say that we have seen the RT Hummingbird 
>several times already today, Saturday.
>
>Rudy and a host of other birders
Subject: Re: (Neveda County) Ruby-throated Hummingbird day 8, Saturday 30 August 2008
From: "Mike Feighner" <feinerVogel94551 AT comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:04:19 -0700
Birders:

Yesterday I was the first to arrive at 8:40 AM.  I am not aware of
observations for today, 31 August 2008, but would expect/hope that sightings
continued today, 31 August 2008.


Saturday, 30 August 2008:

First bird to arrive was a single male Anna's Hummingbird.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird's first arrival was at 8:57 AM with a visit
to the feeder over the deck.  It departed to the north at 8:57 AM.

Other birders began arriving:  Jim Rowoth (of Stockton, San Joaquin County),
Liz West (of Galt, Sacramento County), Bev Beck (of Sanger, Fresno County),
Lynn Hemink (of Clovis, Fresno County), Pete Fahey (of Clovis, Fresno
County),  Bruce Web (of Granite Bay, Placer County), Steve Abbott (of
Cameron Park, El Dorado County), Mark Fenner and family (of Rancho Cordova,
Sacramento County).

The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird made four additional visits to the feeder
over the deck, to the Madrone Tree above the deck, and to a small Cherry
Tree near the bird bath through 11:26 AM when I departed. 

Recorded AM visit times (with exits always to the north):

8:57-8:59
9:32-9:36
10:03-10:04
10:34-10:35
10:44-10:58

There are nine previously accepted records of Ruby-throated Hummingbird in
California, the first being adult male, caught accidentally in a mist net
intended to trap bats at Sagehen Creek Field Station (Nevada County) on 15
May 1975.

Other species heard or seen:

Red-shouldered Hawk (heard only)
Anna's Hummingbird (seen)
Acorn Woodpecker (heard only)
Downie Woodpecker (heard only)
Pileated Woodpecker (heard only)
Steller's Jay (heard only)
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (heard only)
Brown Creeper (heard only)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (seen)
Dark-eyed Junco (seen)

See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sierra-nevadabirds/message/2380 for
contact information.

--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County
www.tanageroptics.com (under development, stand-by)
 

>-----Original Message-----
>From: sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com 
>[mailto:sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Rudy Darling
>Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 9:48 AM
>To: sierra-nevadabirds AT yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [SierraNevadaBirds] Ruby-throat day 8
>
>Good morning,
>
>Just a quick not to say that we have seen the RT Hummingbird 
>several times already today, Saturday.
>
>Rudy and a host of other birders
Subject: Ruby-throat day 8
From: "Rudy Darling" <rdarling AT sbbmail.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:48:21 -0700
Good morning,

Just a quick not to say that we have seen the RT Hummingbird several times 
already today, Saturday. 


Rudy and a host of other birders

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: RT Hummingbird - day 7 (Fri.)
From: "Rudy Darling" <rdarling AT sbbmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:40:21 -0700
Greetings,

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird was still here today (Friday) and was seen by 
most everyone as far as I could tell, except for one unlucky local birder who 
came twice (sorry John - try again Saturday?). Two people were here for only 
five minutes. I hope that means they saw the bird right away. Todd Esterlea is 
getting some good photos as I write this. Send me an e-mail if you wish to come 
see it and I will send you directions. 


Rudy Darling
Nevada City

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Snag Lake, Lassen NP
From: "sequoia49" <judisierra AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:51:43 -0000
Below are some highlights from the 28th annual Golden Gate Audubon
backpacking trip to Snag Lake, led by David Rice and Robin Pulich Aug
22-25. 74 speicies total. Of note in the first 1/2 hour of arrival a
SANDHILL CRANE was at the lake and stayed the entire weekend and
CALIF. QUAIL and 10 young. Both have never been seen on this trip. We
surmised the quail were refugees from a lower elevation fire and
managed to to hatch a family after arrival. Also seen were  a  female
INDIGO BUNTING, SPOTTED OWL, SHORT EARED OWL, 2 BALD EAGLES, ONE OF
which forced an OSPREY to drops it's catch, PEREGRINE FALCON, COMMON
MERGANSERS, BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, WILLOW, DUSKY FLYCATCHERS,
CLARK'S NUTCRACKER, AMER. DIPPER, MTN. BLUEBIRDS, LAZULI BUNTING, RED
CROSS BILLS, GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES, a healthy number of  PINE SISKIN
flocks. Of note was a diminished number of Warblers

Judi Sierra-Oakland, CA

Subject: Thursday Ruby-throat update
From: "Rudy Darling" <rdarling AT sbbmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:45:42 -0700
Hello all,

Yes, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird again appeared for day six of its stay in 
Nevada City. About 10 birders got looks at it. We have ascertained that he is 
not an early riser. First appearance today was at 09:40; yesterday around 
09:10. The best time seems to be mid-day and afternoon. The latest I have seen 
it has been 6:40 PM (Wed.). Photographers continue to be frustrated due to the 
difficult lighting conditions, the bird's shyness, and its annoying habit of 
darting this way and that. 


Rudy-throated Darling, Hummermeister
Nevada City

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Nevada & Placer Counties
From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:26:36 -0700
Made the run up to Rudy Darling's house near Nevada City this morning 
with my fingers crossed. Fortunately, the adult male RUBY-THROATED 
HUMMINGBIRD had decided to stay for at least one more day. Thank you 
Rudy for allowing us to see your wonderful bird. Also present were a 
male and female Anna's Hummingbird, a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches, 
Steller's Jays and Mourning Doves.
Since I was so close, and the valley was supposed to be so hot, I 
decided to head up to Lake Tahoe. At Lake Forest, I was lucky enough to 
see the SNOWY PLOVER along with 2 Least and 2 Western Sandpipers, 2 
Spotted Sandpipers, 2 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, and a juvenile male EVENING 
GROSBEAK. Also in the area was a Western Wood-Pewee, a juvenile 
Brown-headed Cowbird and lots of Mountain Chickadees.
At Prosser Reservoir there were 2 Bufflehead, 2 Green-winged Teal, 3 
NORTHERN PINTAILs, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 2 more Spotted Sandpipers, 1 
lone LEAST SANDPIPER and 1 Wilson's Snipe. As I was leaving the Bald 
Eagle flew out of his tree across the lake and soared over me. All the 
gulls at Lake Forest and Prosser Reservoir were California Gulls. A 
cool day in more than one way.

Kathy Parker
Los Gatos
Subject: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (NEV) and Snowy Plover (PLA)
From: "Deren Ross" <derenross AT sbcglobal.net>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:56:57 -0000
Dear Birders,

Just made the Placer-Nevada County Loop for the Snowy Plover found 
by Dennis Cavallo this morning at Lake Forest(North Tahoe)and later 
stopped by to see the Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Rudy Darling's 
home.  

At around noon, I refound the Snowy Plover at Lake Forest. I was 
fortunate run into fellow birder, Kathy Parker. She told me her 
first stop this morning was at Rudy's for the Ruby-throated Hummer 
and she kindly gave me printed directions.  With a recent report and 
directions in hand I headed back down the hill to Rudy's place in 
Nevada City.  Sometime after 2PM (just missed Ted), I found myself 
sitting on Rudy's back deck.  It was warm and quiet.  I light breeze 
blew in the woods.  Ten minutes had passed when suddenly I spotted 
the RT Hummer come into the Madrone and perch.  Before I could get 
my binocs on it, it moved down to the feeder.  It stayed less than a 
minute then bolted in a westerly direction and deep into the woods.

Great day.  Thank you...Dennis, Kathy, and Rudy.

Deren Ross
Auburn, Ca