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02 Sep MU Ranch birds on the Carrizo ["sharumkathy" ] 01 Sep Parasitic Jaeger [] 1 Sep Oceano/Oso Flaco 9/1 [Maggie Smith ] 01 Sep Red-breasted Nuthatch ["docentjoyce" ] 31 Aug Bar-tailed Godwit, Tuesday [William Bouton ] 30 Aug Santa Margarita Lake [Roger Zachary ] 30 Aug Turri Rd. ponds Wilson Phalarope ["Kaaren Perry" ] 30 Aug Morro Bay Estuary [William Bouton ] 29 Aug Bar-tailed Godwit Photos ["Brad Schram" ] 30 Aug Forster's terns at Pismo Creek estuary ["lamoustique" ] 28 Aug Morro Bay ["steve schubert" ] 28 Aug Bar-tailed Godwit, etc. [Jim Royer ] 28 Aug Bar-tailed Godwit, etc. [Jim Royer ] 28 Aug Cerro Alto revisited [Roger Zachary ] 27 Aug Cerro Alto [Roger Zachary ] 25 Aug Morro Bay Estuary Today [William Bouton ] 26 Aug Morro Bay White-winged Dove ["Kaaren Perry" ] 25 Aug Oso Flaco Lake 8/25 [Maggie Smith ] 25 Aug [Fwd: On the Bay] [] 25 Aug On the Bay [] 25 Aug On the Bay [] 24 Aug Fwd: band resighting website - Caspian Terns [Ron Melcer ] 24 Aug Fwd: band resighting website - Caspian Terns [Ron Melcer ] 24 Aug Update: MCAS Pelagic on Saturday, August 28, 2010 [Maggie Smith ] 24 Aug Oceano birds 8/24 [Maggie Smith ] 23 Aug chestnut-sided warbler continues ["David L. Keeling" ] 23 Aug Morro Bay Sand Spit [] 23 Aug Morro Strand walk [] 22 Aug Sunday Birds - Nothing Rare [Jim Royer ] 23 Aug Bar-tailed godwit? ["schaeferross" ] 22 Aug Sunday birds [Roger Zachary ] 21 Aug Morro Bay and north along the Coast [Jim Royer ] 22 Aug Old Creek and Estero Bluffs ["aureolin" ] 21 Aug red knot Morro Strand ["David L. Keeling" ] 21 Aug Los Osos 21 August ["Michael D. Stiles" ] 20 Aug Morro Bay and Cayucos Today and Yesterday [] 20 Aug Oso Flaco Birds 8/20 [Maggie Smith ] 20 Aug Re: cross breeding [] 20 Aug cross [Michelle LaMoustique ] 20 Aug cross breeding [Sandra Danielson ] 19 Aug (unknown) [Maggie Smith ] 19 Aug Estero Bluffs [] 19 Aug Immature Brants not so immature ["Dee" ] 19 Aug Banded Birds ["Mike Stiles" ] 18 Aug entertainment at Cayucos and Estero Bluffs ["David L. Keeling" ] 18 Aug Camp KEEP sightings ["steve schubert" ] 18 Aug Non Lead Ammo Demo Day Sat. 21 Aug 2010 10am to 3pm Camp Roberts ["Michaela Koenig" ] 18 Aug Immature Brants ["Dee" ] 16 Aug Advice on coastal trip timing ["whzerd1" ] 16 Aug Re: AG Creek CA Gull, Revisited ["Jamie Chavez" ] 16 Aug AG Creek CA Gull, Revisited ["Brad Schram" ] 15 Aug Willow Flycatcher ["schaeferross" ] 15 Aug Erythristic CA Gull, Elegants at AG Creek Mouth ["Brad Schram" ] 14 Aug Swainson's Hawk [Mary Ann Ambrose ] 14 Aug MU Ranch birds on the Carrizo Plain ["sharumkathy" ] 14 Aug Bald Eagle Juvies at Whale Rock Reservoir [] 13 Aug Western Tanager [Maggie Smith ] 12 Aug Cayucos Birds 8/12 [Maggie Smith ] 10 Aug surfbirds [] 8 Aug Morro Bay ["steve schubert" ] 09 Aug Caspian Terns ["aidan_briggs" ] 7 Aug new member test post ["David L. Keeling" ] 8 Aug Estero Bluffs [] 6 Aug Elegant Terns ["cheryl lish" ] 05 Aug Western Tanager ["schaeferross" ] 05 Aug Shorebirds ["aidan_briggs" ] 05 Aug San Simeon pier, White-winged scoter ["Eric" ] 4 Aug Semipalmated Sandpiper ["Michael D. Stiles" ] 4 Aug Audubon Field Trip - San Simeon State Park [Maggie Smith ] 3 Aug juvenile California Gull, etc. [] 3 Aug Oso Flaco Lake 8/3 [Maggie Smith ] 2 Aug selasphorus ID [Alan Schmierer ] 2 Aug Monday birds 8/2 [Maggie Smith ] 02 Aug Baywood/Los Osos- morning birds ["Kaaren Perry" ] 02 Aug Oso Flaco and SB county ["Noah" ] 1 Aug Weekend Birds [] Subject: MU Ranch birds on the Carrizo From: "sharumkathy" <ksharum AT wildblue.net> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:21:22 -0000 We've had some interesting birds since my last post of mid-August. We had a male/female pair of Western tanagers on 8/18. The best I can tell, the last day for Western kingbirds was Aug. 21. We also had a Nuttall's woodpecker on the 21st. We continued to have Bullock's orioles until Aug. 23. There were sightings of Western tanagers on Aug. 20, 23, 29, and Sept. 2; Wilson's warbler and warbling vireo on Aug. 23; a Townsend's warbler on Aug. 29; a selasphorus sp. hummingbird that has been here for four days and the biggest surprise sighting - an osprey on the evening of Aug. 31. Several times now over the course of several years, I have seen an osprey perched on a power pole along Hwy. 166 a few miles east of here and I thought it would just be a matter of time before I saw one here at the MU. It appeared at dusk just as barn owls were beginning to move around for the night. They were quite agitated by the osprey's presence. Kathy Sharum Carrizo Plain National Monument Subject: Parasitic Jaeger From: slobird AT aol.com Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:26:35 -0400 On Morro Strand State Beach this morning a hatch year dark morph Parasitic Jaeger was seen flying south along the beach towards Morro Rock. On a non-bird note, while walking towards the Bar-tailed Godwit on the Sandspit I found a fresh-killed Southern Sea Otter on the beach. It was the victim of a shark attack. This was the second shark-killed otter that rolled onto the beaches at Montana de Oro today. There were three other shark-killed otters reported today from a county to the north. Five in one day does not bode well for the otter population... Greg Smith Los Esteros [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Oceano/Oso Flaco 9/1 From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 13:04:52 -0700 (PDT) The only new addition at the Oceano Campground this morning was 2 female WESTERN TANAGERS.  Two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were in the same pine.  Yesterday Brad Shram mentioned 2 HERMIT WARBLERS he had in the pines west of the campground.  I was able to  find one.  Based on its non bright face, dark cheek, and no black on throat or back, I think it was a first fall female. At Oso Flaco, there was a small flock in the willows with a fall adult HERMIT WARBLER. An adult and juvenile LEAST TERN are somewhat late.  I took a picture so their handlers can perhaps see by the bands who's late in leaving. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Red-breasted Nuthatch From: "docentjoyce" <docentjoyce AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:05:42 -0000 Los Osos - El Moro and 4th - Red-breasted Nuthatch in the pine trees. Joyce Cory Subject: Bar-tailed Godwit, Tuesday From: William Bouton <bbouton AT charter.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:33:27 -0700 Hi All, After walking the round trip 6-7 miles of Montana de Oro Sandspit on Sunday without success, and spending Monday morning in a kayak on the Morro Bay Estuary without success, the BAR-TAILED GODWIT and I finally crossed paths late this afternoon. Perhaps it was Marlin Harms who accompanied me today who was my good luck charm! It was quite foggy, but winds were light and the temperature was in the 60s. This time we had only to walk as far as (approximately) km 2.5. At approximately 4pm we found the godwit. I've often thought that many birds are creatures of habit and, interestingly, we found the bird at approximately the same time of day as its original finder, Jim Royer discovered it on Saturday. My photos may be viewed at: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/billbouton/ or http://www.flickr.com/photos/billbouton/ Marlin's excellent images (taken from different angles than mine) can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/ Bill Bouton San Luis Obisopo, CA bbouton AT charter.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Santa Margarita Lake From: Roger Zachary <rzachary AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:26:05 -0700 Hello All, Ruth, Jan Surbey, Chuck Woodard, and I traveled on a pontoon boat and surveyed the entire lake for birds from the western end near the dam to the eastern shallows near the Salinas River in-flow. There were many nesting Western and Clark's Grebes and some with young. We saw a family of Canada Geese, two adults and 6 fledged young which probably bred in a nearby local pond and had just shown up last week. Fifteen Wood Ducks were observed. At the Salinas River end three Sora's were found together in the reeds possibly indicating breeding there. Some birds of prey to mention included 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 White-tailed Kite, 4 Osprey (we were careful to duplicate), and a Peregrine Falcon. A beautiful morning on the lake! Roger Zachary Atascadero http://www.flickr.com/photos/sloroger [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Turri Rd. ponds Wilson Phalarope From: "Kaaren Perry" <surfbird1 AT att.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:22:38 -0000 There was a single, winter plumaged Wilson Phalarope in the Turri Rd. ponds this afternoon, 8/30. The only other bird present was a Greater Yellowlegs. Kaaren Perry Morro Bay Subject: Morro Bay Estuary From: William Bouton <bbouton AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:24:13 -0700 Hi All, After walking approx 7 miles on (in?) sand during Monday's fruitless search for the Bar-tailed Godwit, I decided it would be better to bird while sitting today. I kayaked on the Morro Bay Estuary, for 3.5 hours, spending my time among the concentrations of godwits that assemble there as the tide comes in. Unfortunately, after initial preening upon arriving, most of the time I observed them, they were resting/sleeping with heads tucked among their back feathers. I did lots of scanning, looking for a prominent supercilium. On two occasions, a peregrine flushed the birds, and I was able to look them over for a prominent whitish rump, but was unable to find any that seemed unusual. It was a gorgeous day out there and it is always a special treat to let the tide and/or wind drift one among feeding egrets and preening/feeding shorebirds, most of who remain seemingly oblivious to one's presence. One BLACK SKIMMER flew by. Cheers, Bill Bouton San Luis Obisopo, CA bbouton AT charter.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bar-tailed Godwit Photos From: "Brad Schram" <gonebrdn AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:27:59 -0700 For those interested I've downloaded five photos of last evening's BAR-TAILED GODWIT at the Morro Bay sandpit to my flickr site. Heavily-cropped and uninspiring as photos, but diagnostic. Brad Schram Arroyo Grande, CA http://flickr.com/photos/chaparralbrad/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Forster's terns at Pismo Creek estuary From: "lamoustique" <lamoustique AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:33:41 -0000 At 2:30 this afternoon I observed two Forster's terns fishing in Pismo Creek. There was also a flock of 20 or so Caspian terns which did not land but returned several times to fly over the area, and a large mixed flock of Heerman's and Western gulls both bathing and sheltering in the dunes from the very strong and unpleasant winds. Subject: Morro Bay From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:13:10 -0700 Hello all, I co-led a half day kayaking tour on Morro Bay today, 8-28-10. Two Black Skimmers flew across the bay to the dunes and rested on the beach near the rising tide line - directly across from the natural history museum - among the many resting western gulls, terns, and the 6 Brandt. A single Red-necked phalarope spun circles feeding on the bay surface. A man standing in his small motorized boat paralleled the dunes nearshore going south and then returning again later while letting his dog running loose -illegally- on the shore, which of course put up the hundreds of birds including the skimmers and brandt both times the dog ran through the resting flocks. Steve Schubert Los Osos Steve Schubert www.condorlookout.org photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12571965 AT N07/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bar-tailed Godwit, etc. From: Jim Royer <jrmotmot AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:00:26 -0700 I was jogging on the Morro Bay Sandspit near Los Osos, CA today and at about 4:15 PM I found a juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit in amongst a flock of Marbled Godwits. It stood out due to its slightly smaller size, shorter legs, a less warm color overall, smaller less colorful bill, light supercilium, a lightish rump with some mottling in flight and noticeably grayer in flight than the Marbleds. The bird was found even with kilometer marker 4, which is 3 kilometers north along the beach from the spot where you come out onto the beach from Army Road. It was seen between markers 3 and 4, later in the afternoon by Brad Schram, Jon Dunn, Brian Daniels, Tom Edell, Mike Stiles and others, who got photos. To get to Army Road take Los Osos Valley Road west from 101, through San Luis Obispo, through Los Osos, and take the left hand turn onto Pecho Valley Road (the road to Montana de Oro Sate Park). Proceed south and uphill on Pecho Valley for a short distance and at the second dirt road to the right (no marker), where there is a bunch of mailboxes, park in the dirt pullout surrounded by coastal scrub. Walk down the sandy trail (not much of a road anymore and gated to prevent vehicles) about a mile to the beach and proceed north on the beach till you get to where the bird was feeding at the ocean shoreline. Marbled Godwits were around it and Long-billed Curlews were higher up on the beach. A number of birders are meeting at the pullout along Pech Valley Road at 7:30 AM in the morning tomorrow, Sunday. Also of some local interest was a Ruddy Turnstone on the beach in the same general area. This morning at about 7:00 AM I had a juvi. Semipalmated Sandpiper along the edge of the bay from the north end of Pech Road in Los Osos, in a flock of about 80 peeps. Jim Royer Los Osos, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bar-tailed Godwit, etc. From: Jim Royer <jrmotmot AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:00:26 -0700 I was jogging on the Morro Bay Sandspit near Los Osos, CA today and at about 4:15 PM I found a juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit in amongst a flock of Marbled Godwits. It stood out due to its slightly smaller size, shorter legs, a less warm color overall, smaller less colorful bill, light supercilium, a lightish rump with some mottling in flight and noticeably grayer in flight than the Marbleds. The bird was found even with kilometer marker 4, which is 3 kilometers north along the beach from the spot where you come out onto the beach from Army Road. It was seen between markers 3 and 4, later in the afternoon by Brad Schram, Jon Dunn, Brian Daniels, Tom Edell, Mike Stiles and others, who got photos. To get to Army Road take Los Osos Valley Road west from 101, through San Luis Obispo, through Los Osos, and take the left hand turn onto Pecho Valley Road (the road to Montana de Oro Sate Park). Proceed south and uphill on Pecho Valley for a short distance and at the second dirt road to the right (no marker), where there is a bunch of mailboxes, park in the dirt pullout surrounded by coastal scrub. Walk down the sandy trail (not much of a road anymore and gated to prevent vehicles) about a mile to the beach and proceed north on the beach till you get to where the bird was feeding at the ocean shoreline. Marbled Godwits were around it and Long-billed Curlews were higher up on the beach. A number of birders are meeting at the pullout along Pech Valley Road at 7:30 AM in the morning tomorrow, Sunday. Also of some local interest was a Ruddy Turnstone on the beach in the same general area. This morning at about 7:00 AM I had a juvi. Semipalmated Sandpiper along the edge of the bay from the north end of Pech Road in Los Osos, in a flock of about 80 peeps. Jim Royer Los Osos, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cerro Alto revisited From: Roger Zachary <rzachary AT charter.net> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:52:44 -0700 Hello, I went back over to Cerro Alto this morning for a couple hours and re- found the mixed flock I saw yesterday. They were up the road in the creek habitat near the first parking spot on the left with a sign. We saw the usual birds I mentioned yesterday including the American Redstart. There seemed to be an increase in the number of birds present in the flock. We were also treated with a soaring Golden Eagle. Roger Zachary Atascadero Subject: Cerro Alto From: Roger Zachary <rzachary AT charter.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:45:59 -0700 Hello All, I walked the newly paved road to the campground and didn't find much. I was a little disappointed with the number and variety of birds sighted. When I returned to the parking lot I found a mixed flock up in the oaks. The flock was foraging and moving slowly. I observed the flock for over an hour. Some of the birds in the flock included Hutton's and Warbling Vireo, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Orange- crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Warblers (5), Black- throated Gray Warbler (1 male) , and a male American Redstart. Roger Zachary Atascadero Subject: Morro Bay Estuary Today From: William Bouton <bbouton AT charter.net> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:02:45 -0700 Hi All, I spent several hours kayaking on the Morro Bay Estuary today. My search image was directed toward any godwit other than Marbled, but I had no luck (at least, of the good kind). My morning's highlight (other than some fun photography) ( see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/billbouton/ ) was one fly-by BLACK SKIMMER ("below" the Elfin Forest Overlook). Otherwise, shorebird numbers are building with, especially, big flocks of Western Sandpipers. I never identified even one Least Sandpiper the entire time I was out there today (south and east of the state park marina nearly to South Bay Blvd). Also in large numbers were Black-bellied Plovers. I saw hundreds! Interestingly, I also observed no waterfowl on my route. Cheers, Bill Bouton San Luis Obisopo, CA bbouton AT charter.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Morro Bay White-winged Dove From: "Kaaren Perry" <surfbird1 AT att.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:54:58 -0000 A White -winged Dove was seen and photographed late this afternoon in the 400 block of Estero Avenue in Morro Bay. It was with a group of about 15 Eurasian Collared-Doves. Kaaren Perry Morro Bay Subject: Oso Flaco Lake 8/25 From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:18:46 -0700 (PDT) When the fog over the lake lifted, I counted 29 NORTHERN SHOVELERS.  In addition to the 2 juvenile Sora, I had an adult Sora and 2 Virginia Rails. There was no activity in the willows except for a family group of 4 Northern Flickers. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: [Fwd: On the Bay] From: richimages AT tcsn.net Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:54:40 -0700 ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: On the Bay From: richimages AT tcsn.net Date: Wed, August 25, 2010 7:52 am To: slocobirding AT yahoogroups.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lots of activity on the bay with the Fall migration under way. Two observations of note; 1. Group of 6 Brant on the sand spit that look like refuges from the Gulf oil spill, hmmm, that sounds way too polite a term for an all out assault & disaster in the Gulf. Well enough for my morning rant. They were obviously in the middle of their molt. Unusual behavior though as they were eating sprigs of Sea-rocket instead of their usual Eel Grass. 2. Osprey roosting at the Heron ro....oops Cormorant rookery. Closer exam of photo later showed the it was banded. Letters AG was all I could make out. See photos, I'll make sure I include them this time Marlin. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: On the Bay From: richimages AT tcsn.net Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:52:06 -0700 Lots of activity on the bay with the Fall migration under way. Two observations of note; 1. Group of 6 Brant on the sand spit that look like refuges from the Gulf oil spill, hmmm, that sounds way too polite a term for an all out assault & disaster in the Gulf. Well enough for my morning rant. They were obviously in the middle of their molt. Unusual behavior though as they were eating sprigs of Sea-rocket instead of their usual Eel Grass. 2. Osprey roosting at the Heron ro....oops Cormorant rookery. Closer exam of photo later showed the it was banded. Letters AG was all I could make out. See photos, I'll make sure I include them this time Marlin. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: On the Bay From: richimages AT tcsn.net Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:31:26 -0700 Lots of activity on the bay with the Fall migration under way. Two observations of note; 1. Group of 6 Brant on the sand spit that look like refuges from the Gulf oil spill, hmmm, that sounds way too polite a term for an all out assault & disaster in the Gulf. Well enough for my morning rant. They were obviously in the middle of their molt. Unusual behavior though as they were eating sprigs of Sea-rocket instead of their usual Eel Grass. 2. Osprey roosting at the Heron ro....oops Cormorant rookery. Closer exam of photo later showed the it was banded. Letters AG was all I could make out. See photos, I'll make sure I include them this time Marlin. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fwd: band resighting website - Caspian Terns From: Ron Melcer <corvid88 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:14:53 -0700 Birders, Please report your sightings of banded Caspian Terns on the website below! Thanks, Ron Melcer Sacramento, CA ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Battaglia, Daniel - FW Date: Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 1:58 PM Subject: band resighting website To: Ron Melcer Hey Ron, Could you distribute this link to your cohort in CA.  The more coverage the better. www.mybandedtern.org DB Daniel Battaglia Faculty Research Assistant Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University 104 Nash Hall Corvallis, OR 97331 daniel.battaglia AT oregonstate.edu Office: 541-737-5895 Cell: 541-602-6725 Fax: 541-737-3590 www.birdresearchnw.org http://oregonstate.edu/robylab/index.html Subject: Fwd: band resighting website - Caspian Terns From: Ron Melcer <corvid88 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:14:53 -0700 Birders, Please report your sightings of banded Caspian Terns on the website below! Thanks, Ron Melcer Sacramento, CA ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Battaglia, Daniel - FW Date: Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 1:58 PM Subject: band resighting website To: Ron Melcer Hey Ron, Could you distribute this link to your cohort in CA.  The more coverage the better. www.mybandedtern.org DB Daniel Battaglia Faculty Research Assistant Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University 104 Nash Hall Corvallis, OR 97331 daniel.battaglia AT oregonstate.edu Office: 541-737-5895 Cell: 541-602-6725 Fax: 541-737-3590 www.birdresearchnw.org http://oregonstate.edu/robylab/index.html Subject: Update: MCAS Pelagic on Saturday, August 28, 2010 From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:41:12 -0700 (PDT) The Pelagic Trip is full and set to go on Saturday morning.  Please be at the pier by 6:30 AM so we can leave on time.  The boat leaves at 7 AM and we wait for no one. The hot galley serves breakfast burritos and then hamburgers.  Bring a soft pack for your needs but no hard coolers allowed. Call me or email me  if you have any questions. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande milleniummaggs AT charter.net 805-710-4356 http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Oceano birds 8/24 From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:59:16 -0700 (PDT) Oceano Campground was very busy in the pines west of the campground. Had a first fall female NASHVILLE WARBLER with a subdued eye ring and a whitish belly, 3 female plumaged TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS, 5 or 6 each Wilson's and Yellow Warblers. Two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were calling and active in the pines. The formerly leucy euc had 6 female plumaged HOODED ORIOLES, 1 first winter male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and about 20 selasphorus hummingbirds. Two immature WHITE-FACED IBIS were in the lagoon at the mouth of Arroyo Grande Creek and 6 more flew in later. One juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was with a few Western and Least Sandpipers. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: chestnut-sided warbler continues From: "David L. Keeling" <dkeeling AT calpoly.edu> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:07:27 -0700 (PDT) I spent about two hours today at Pecho Willows and had the chestnut-sided warbler in sight for a few minutes. The location was the same as where Jim Royer saw it earlier, about 100 feet inward from the water on the west end of the trail, in a place where the green of the golf course is quite visible and close. The angle of light was all wrong, the views were nearly always substantially impaired, and of course the bird did not hold still. My hat is off to Roger Zachary for his good photographic skills, his fast reflexes, and his good luck in getting such a fine photo. Mine are much much worse. Congrats Roger!!! Dave Keeling Morro Bay Subject: Morro Bay Sand Spit From: mctharms AT aol.com Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:27:46 EDT I walked about 3/4 of the sand spit this morning. High points were two Baird's Sandpipers and a Peregrine Falcon briefly chasing a Belted Kingfisher. There were over 200 Heermann's Gulls, but generally a paucity of most species--no Sanderlings, no Western Sandpipers, one Least Sandpiper, 3 Semipalmated Plovers and few Willets. I saw 31 Snowy Plovers and met a woman doing a State Parks survey who said there have been between 100 and 150. Photo of Baird's Sandpiper posted at _http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/) Marlin Harms Morro Bay, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Morro Strand walk From: richimages AT tcsn.net Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:44:05 -0700 Two sitings of interest today on the Strand.  1. Northbound Osprey dove twice inside the breakers, missed twice. 2. Lonb-billed Curlew with one white feather, see photo. Rich  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To Post a message, send it to: slocobirding AT yahoogroups.com To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: slocobirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and group home page can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slocobirdingYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slocobirding/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slocobirding/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: slocobirding-digest AT yahoogroups.com slocobirding-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: slocobirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Sunday Birds - Nothing Rare From: Jim Royer <jrmotmot AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:27:31 -0700 I cycled out to Montana de Oro and scoped off the bluffs from 8 AM to 9 AM. It was a little quiet, with highlights being 40-50 Sooty Shearwaters, 6 Common Murres, 7 Pacific Loons, 7 Surf Scoters, 1 Red-necked Phalarope and several unidentified shorebirds and alcids. My best sighting was a Blue Whale which I watched for a while before it dove - showing its little dorsal fin and not showing its tail. What a huge animal! I took a kayak on the bay with Ross Schaefer and we had a Common Tern with about 15 Forster's Terns, 60 - 70 Elegant Terns, 5 Royal Terns and at least a dozen Caspian Terns. There were 5 Brant, an Osprey spotted by Ross, and his godwit which did appear grayish for a godwit (clear godwit bill, shape and size) and lacked the tail/wing patterns of a Hudsonian or a Black-tailed. We watched it fly from the vacinity of the marina and go out toward the spit and north toward the Rock. Ross also had a Townsend's Warbler at Pecho Willows in the afternoon, but no Chesnut-sided. Jim Royer Los Osos [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bar-tailed godwit? From: "schaeferross" <schaeferross AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:54:53 -0000 Jim Royer and I kayaked on the bay today. There were quite a few birds, but none were showing well. The most interesting bird of the day was an unusual godwit that flew close by the kayak. There was no white in the tail or under the wings, and the entire body was light gray, about the color of a willet. These markings seem to point to bar-tailed. The bird is open to discussion, and I want to here everyone's comments. Ross Schaefer Atascadero Subject: Sunday birds From: Roger Zachary <rzachary AT charter.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:58:14 -0700 Hello All, Maggie Smith, Tom Edell, and I looked for some target birds this unusually sunny beautiful morning on the coast. We first checked Morro Strand for the Red Knot but didn't find it. We drove over to Los Osos and searched Pecho Willows for the Chestnut-sided Warbler that was reported yesterday. We finally found it in tall trees at the center of the willows. We ended the morning at Old Creek and had good views of a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Photos of each of the birds are on my flickr site. Roger Zachary Atascadero http://www.flickr.com/photos/sloroger [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Morro Bay and north along the Coast From: Jim Royer <jrmotmot AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:47:14 -0700 Today, Saturday, I cycled from Los Osos up to San Simeon and back, birding. Besides the 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers and an Elegant Tern at Old Creek, there was a Ruddy Turnstone on the beach just north of the Cayucos Creek Mouth, a pintail and several G-t Grackles at San Simeon State Beach, and 2 Green Herons at Santa Rosa Creek in Cambria. I looked for the Chestnut-sided Warbler at Pecho Willows twice in the afternoon and saw it on the second try. It was not calling, was not with a flock, and either stayed high up in tall trees in the middle of the area or dropped into cover where I could not find it. The Ruddy and the Chestnut-sided where new for my green big year. Please call me if you see a Baird's Sandpiper, any jaegers, or any rarities. Thanks. Jim Royer Los Osos, CA 748-7895 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Old Creek and Estero Bluffs From: "aureolin" <bluemoonsailor AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 03:00:17 -0000 I met Jim Royer at the mouth of Old Creek, looking at two birds that we later decided were SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, mixed in with a flock of WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS. I also walked almost the entire length of Estero Bluffs this morning. I found another SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER on the beaches between the Windmill/Creek entrance and the Fig Tree entrance. In the large cove nearest the Fig Tree entrance (where the Harlequin Duck has been hanging out) I saw one RUDDY TURNSTONE, and the SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER that had been reported earlier. Steve G. Subject: red knot Morro Strand From: "David L. Keeling" <dkeeling AT calpoly.edu> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:20:11 -0700 (PDT) Today (Sat) on Morro Strand beach, on the less-peopled section between the north end of Morro Bay High School, and the entrance to the beach a block south of San Jacinto, there was a RED KNOT. I thought I saw it yesterday in the same general area while jogging in the fog, so it may have been here for days. photo at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35707483 AT N07/4906143910 Dave Keeling Morro Bay Subject: Los Osos 21 August From: "Michael D. Stiles" <mstiles AT calpoly.edu> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:35:28 -0700 (PDT) At Pecho Willows this morning I had a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, still sporting its chestnut sides. I was alerted to it by its chip note. It didn't seem to be associating with a flock, but there was an Orange-crowned Warbler loosely associating with it. I assume it is a somewhat early date for the bird. At the public access on 3rd street I had a BLACK TURNSTONE along the muddy edge of the estuary. I've seen Ruddy Turnstone on the bay before, but never this species. There were three BRANT below the Audubon Overlook, and eight Yellowlegs, two of them I thought were LESSER, but they all took off before I was sure. The only thing I saw at the Montana de Oro campground were wall to wall tents. Very busy out there this weekend. Mike Stiles Los Osos Subject: Morro Bay and Cayucos Today and Yesterday From: TEdell AT aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:30:26 -0400 Kaaren Perry and I checked a few locations around Morro Bay and Cayuco this morning. Morro Bay Two PINE SISKIN'S seen on a utility wire along the 500 block of Bernardo Ave in Morro Bay this morning were in an area I've been told the species is present year around. A scan of the upper estuary from Parkview Road in Morro Bay State Park turned up three female-plumaged (immature, female, or eclipse male) GREEN-WINGED TEAL in the Chorro Creek channel. Five female-plumaged NORTHERN PINTAIL were in a nearby ponded area. Four female-plumaged CINNAMON TEAL in Baywood Cove were the first I've seen on the bay in the last three months. A total of 168 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were on Grassy Island. Whale Rock Reservoir An immature PEREGRINE FALCON and an immature LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE were at the west end of the reservoir near the PG&E substation. The continuing adult MUTE SWAN, male LESSER SCAUP, and adult and two juvenile BALD EAGLES, plus an eclipse male RING-NECKED DUCK and five NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were all at the back end of the reservoir. Estero Bluffs State Park Here we walked from the parkng area by the fig tree to the cove just south of Cayucos Point and then west to the north facing cove. Our highlights were a single juvenile WANDERING TATTLER and two very worn and faded BRANT. Yesterday evening five NORTHERN PINTAIL were nestled into the kelp bed south of San Gernonimo Creek. I was surprised to see 20 WILLETS offshore that appeared to be feeding on/from a dense portion of the kelp bed. Cayucos Creek Mouth and the north end of Lucerne Street A single RUDDY TURNSTONE was along the sandy beach north of the creek mouth. About 16 RED-THROATED LOONS, including several showing dark throats, continued inside the kelp bed off Lucerne Street. Tom Edell Cayucos, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Oso Flaco Birds 8/20 From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:40:50 -0700 (PDT) Early this morning I saw 2 juvenile Sora  (my first of the season).  Also had 3 flyover WHITE-FACED IBIS. An Ash-throated Flycatcher in the willows was notable only because I've never seen one at Oso Flaco.  Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: cross breeding From: TEdell AT aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:13:30 -0400 Hi Sandy, It is very unlikely that your California Towhee is a hybrid. I briefly checked a couple of good sources and neither mentioned any occurrences of California Towhee hybridization. More likely what you have is a bird showing leucisum. Leucisum is caused by a defect preventing normal deposition of the melanin and can lead to white patches in the feathers or can be more extensive such as an all white head. Birds with this trait are called leucisitic. Brewer's Blackbirds seem to have the highest incidence of leucisum in SLO County, but other species showing this trait have included Red-tailed Hawk, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and House Finch. A brief article on leuisum can be read at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/Albinism_Leucism.htm . I'm sure there is more available on the web. Tom Edell Cayucos, CA PS: If possible send me a photo of the bird. -----Original Message----- From: Sandra Danielson To: SLO birders Sent: Fri, Aug 20, 2010 9:52 am Subject: [slocobirding] cross breeding Fellow Birders: I have a question for the BB's (better birders)Do towhees cross reed. I have a California towhee in my yard with white uppertail and greater overts. Thought at first it had gotten into some paint. Any insight would be ppreciated. . Danielson [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To Post a message, send it to: slocobirding AT yahoogroups.com To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: slocobirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Message archives and group home page can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slocobirdingYahoo! roups Links Individual Email | Traditional http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: cross From: Michelle LaMoustique <lamoustique AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:43:26 -0700 (PDT) The various subspecies have varying amounts of white on them. Could it be an articus? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: cross breeding From: Sandra Danielson <treehugr38 AT att.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:52:16 -0700 (PDT) Fellow Birders:  I have a question for the BB's (better birders)Do towhees cross breed.  I have a California towhee in my yard with white uppertail and greater coverts.  Thought at first it had gotten into some paint.  Any insight would be appreciated.   S. Danielson [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: (unknown) From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:55:11 -0700 (PDT) Kaaren Perry and I had a lucky, quick look at a presumed WHITE-FACED IBIS in the lagoon at the mouth of Arroyo Grande Creek. It was NOT a breeding adult. At the Ocean Campground we heard and then saw a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH in the pines west of the campground. It was loosely associating with a small flock of Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Bushtits, Wilson's and Oranged Crowned Warblers. Most of the campground was quiet except for the regulars. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Estero Bluffs From: mctharms AT aol.com Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:53:56 EDT Yesterday (Wednesday) morning it was bright and sunny on the coast in the early morning for the first time since I can remember. To celebrate I went to Estero Bluffs. High point may have been the two juvenile Short-billed Dowtichers that Dave Keeling saw the previous day. Photo at _http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/4907536737/in/photostream/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/4907536737/in/photostream/) There were also 4 Wandering Tattlers, 2 adults and 2 juveniles; 3 or 4 Spotted Sandpipers, all juveniles; and one Ruddy Turnstone among the Black Turnstones. I did not see the Harlequin Duck that has been there recently. Marlin Harms Morro Bay, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Immature Brants not so immature From: "Dee" <eastwesttogether AT surfnetusa.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:04:44 -0000 it appears that the Brants I thought were young birds are actually older birds that decided to stay...thanks Bill : ) Diane Zacher Santa Margarita Subject: Banded Birds From: "Mike Stiles" <mstiles AT calpoly.edu> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:01:42 -0700 I am passing this on for Pacific Wildlife Care. Mike Stiles Los Osos Pacific Wildlife Care is asking for your help. We have been granted a one-of-a-kind in the nation banding permit by the National Banding Lab. They have never granted such a permit before and we are thrilled and excited about it. As you may know, rehabilitated birds are not considered good candidates for banding or being part of the national data base because they fall outside the statistical norms that the data gathering is trying to establish. Pacific Wildlife Care understands and respects this. However, we have always wanted a way to see if what we are doing "works." Do our released birds survive once they are out of our sight? Because it is illegal to put any mark on any protected bird, we have been unable to know how our birds do once they leave our care. We have now been granted a permit to put temporary bands on our released birds that will eventually disintegrate. Our data will not go into the national data base---it will be for our use only. The bands should last for 6 to 8 months depending on the species. We would love to know if any of you spot any of our banded birds. We are using a deep gold almost orange Tyvek band. It has our phone number and the name Pacific Wildlife Care on it. If anyone spots a bird with such a band on it, it can be reported in several different ways depending on convenience for the reporter. We'd like to know species and location and any other pertinent information you are willing to share. You can call the 543-WILD (9453) number and leave a message. You can email me at tulleys AT sbcglobal.net or you can leave a message on my phone at 541-2792. We are interested in retrieving dead or injured birds and getting reports on ones that are doing well. This information will help us improve our skills and knowledge in caring for the animals that come to us. Our band permits us to band any species that we receive so I hope you will let us know what you see. Thank you for your help. Claudia Duckworth Pacific Wildlife Care [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: entertainment at Cayucos and Estero Bluffs From: "David L. Keeling" <dkeeling AT calpoly.edu> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:31:29 -0700 (PDT) Speaking of strange gulls, the other morning on the beach to the north of the pier in Cayucos I took some photos of a CA gull with a mixed up bill. It looks suggest that it is a regrowth attempt, but perhaps I'm reading too much into it. Yesterday at Estero Bluffs, while NOT seeing the wandering tattler, I set up shop and watch two short-billed dowitchers for more than an hour. The most entertaining distraction came when a Brewer's blackbird proceeded to repeatedly nip the tail of one of the ground squirrels working through the beach strewn kelp bits. It seemed less like it was catching flies, and more like it was stimulating the squirrel to kick a foot back, for it searched thoroughly through the damp sand when the squirrel cooperated. Enjoy a half-dozen photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35707483 AT N07/4906143910 Dave Keeling Morro Bay Subject: Camp KEEP sightings From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:47:29 -0700 Hello all, Observations this August at Camp KEEP (Kern Environmental Education Program), near Hazard Canyon in Montana De Oro State Park: Two pairs of late nesting BARN SWALLOWS fledged young at the end of the first week of August; two (now only one) juvenile STELLAR'S JAYS arrived 8 days ago and feed daily at a bird feeder...this is the longest period of time during the past 20 years that a very rare Stellar's jay visitor has been observed on campus, the nearest nesting territory I am aware of is more than 1 mile away along Islay Creek at the end of Spooner's Campground; the lone female WILD TURKEY first reported last spring is now resident in the state park and runs across campus from feeder to feeder while the students watch; two fledged GREAT-HORNED OWLS screech from the eucalyptus forest day and night; the EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE population is growing in numbers since two first became established here year-round in the state park about 3 years ago; two ELEGANT TERNS were in flight above campus and vocalizing in dense fog late in the evening several nights ago, about 1/2 mile inland from the coast; young of the year CALIFORNIA QUAIL, WESTERN SCRUB JAYS, MOURNING DOVES and DARK-EYED JUNCOS are common at the feeders. Steve Schubert Los Osos www.condorlookout.org photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12571965 AT N07/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Non Lead Ammo Demo Day Sat. 21 Aug 2010 10am to 3pm Camp Roberts From: "Michaela Koenig" <michaelamkoenig AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:08:25 -0000 Camp Roberts and Institute for Wildlife Studies are co-hosting a lead free ammunition shooting event. The public is invited to come and participate in a lead free shooting event and demonstration. This event will provide hunters and shooting enthusiasts an opportunity to evaluate the performance of non-lead ammunition using their own rifles. A side-by-side comparison of the performance and accuracy of traditional lead bullets with non-lead bullets made from copper and other materials will be demonstrated. Lead Free Shooting Event Saturday 21 August 2010 10am to 3pm From Hwy 101 Take the Camp Robert's exit and enter the main gate. Bring your own riffle and adequate ear and eye protection .22 Win Mag., .223 Rem., .22-50 Carbine, 30/30 Win., .30-.60 Spring., .308 Win. Mag., .338 Win. Mag Snacks and Beverages will be provided Free Admission! Please disseminate to all. Thank You, Subject: Immature Brants From: "Dee" <eastwesttogether AT surfnetusa.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:32:04 -0000 taken at Estero Bluffs 8/17/2010 Diane Zacher Santa Margarita posted on flicker site and slocobirding http://www.flickr.com/photos/dianes_photos Subject: Advice on coastal trip timing From: "whzerd1" <whzerd AT sonnet.com> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:24:04 -0000 I'm planning a coastal trip from Monterey to San Diego in the next few weeks. I need some advice as to which times would most likely coincide with shorebird migration. Blocks are now until Labor Day, or Sept 6 thru whenever, or Sept 10th and beyond. Morning Low Tides favor Sept 10th on. Any comments welcome offline. Bill Zachman Groveland, CA Tuolumne County Subject: Re: AG Creek CA Gull, Revisited From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:12:51 -0000 Brad's post reminded me of a similar California Gull I saw in June of '07 at Gaviota Beach in Santa Barbara county. Although it turned out to be just a CaGu, I was stumped by this bird when I first saw it. It looked like no other CaGu on the beach that day. To begin with it was much smaller than all the others and showed only a bright red spot on the bill lacking the black spot, a bright orange orbital ring, and yellowish leg coloration. I was convinced at the time (or talked myself into) that it was some other species. A few people weighed in later and suggested it was just a runt female in high breeding plumage. I took some photos of this bird which can be seen at the links below. Note the photo with a CaGu next to it- this is not a photographic artifact. It was this much smaller. Anyway, just adding to the discussion. http://www.flickr.com/photos/almiyi/535816920/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/almiyi/535816916/ Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA --- In slocobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Brad Schram" wrote: > > > A friend points out to me that Howell & Dunn (Gulls of North America) notes that some adults in breeding condition may lack a black dot next to the orange spot on a California Gull's bill. So, instead of an erythristic California Gull--as I suggested yesterday--the gull at the mouth of AG Creek appears to be a post-breeding bird retaining unusually bright soft part color. > > Therefore, it's a bird in post-breeding condition, retaining bright facial soft part color while also retaining some 2nd cycle tail feathers--while at the same time showing fairly typical leg color (i.e. not particularly bright legs for the species in breeding condition). Just another day with the larids, in this case a straightforward ID as to species--and yet confusing. > > Brad Schram > Arroyo Grande, CA > http://flickr.com/photos/chaparralbrad/ > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: AG Creek CA Gull, Revisited From: "Brad Schram" <gonebrdn AT lightspeed.net> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:35:30 -0700 A friend points out to me that Howell & Dunn (Gulls of North America) notes that some adults in breeding condition may lack a black dot next to the orange spot on a California Gull's bill. So, instead of an erythristic California Gull--as I suggested yesterday--the gull at the mouth of AG Creek appears to be a post-breeding bird retaining unusually bright soft part color. Therefore, it's a bird in post-breeding condition, retaining bright facial soft part color while also retaining some 2nd cycle tail feathers--while at the same time showing fairly typical leg color (i.e. not particularly bright legs for the species in breeding condition). Just another day with the larids, in this case a straightforward ID as to species--and yet confusing. Brad Schram Arroyo Grande, CA http://flickr.com/photos/chaparralbrad/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Willow Flycatcher From: "schaeferross" <schaeferross AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:34:42 -0000 A Willow Flycatcher was catching bugs near Atascadero lake on private property today. I viewed it from the street. Ross Schaefer Atascadero Subject: Erythristic CA Gull, Elegants at AG Creek Mouth From: "Brad Schram" <gonebrdn AT lightspeed.net> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:19:52 -0700 Arroyo Grande Creek mouth yesterday afternoon played host to approximately 610 ELEGANT TERNS along with 100 HEERMAN'S GULLS, a few CASPIAN TERNS, WESTERN GULLS, and CALIFORNIA GULLS. For the first time in my south coast birding this summer a stream of a few thousand SOOTY SHEARWATERS flew up-coast about 1/4 mile offshore. The Elegant Terns (counted by 10s, and 25s--coming up in excess of 600 each time, with many coming and going continually) were interesting to watch because many were juvenile birds, still being fed by their parents. A gull caught my eye, looking like a California gull structurally but lacking a black spot on the bill along side the orange dot on the gonys. Instead it had a large orange oval, in color rather like that on an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull's bill. The dark eye, bill structure, classic California Gull shape, size, and mantle color confirm the bird as California Gull. An interesting bird, however. The gull exhibited some degree of erythrism, the result of an extravagance of carotenoid pigments, undoubtedly accounting for the large bright orange bill mark as well as a bright red gape and orbital ring. I've uploaded a few photos of it on my Flickr site. Brad Schram Arroyo Grande, CA http://flickr.com/photos/chaparralbrad/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Swainson's Hawk From: Mary Ann Ambrose <ambrose.m AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:17:36 -0700 (PDT) Aug 13 Jerry Ambrose saw an  immature  Swainson's Hawk on HWY 166 about 3 miles east of Hwy. 101 sitting on a fence post. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: MU Ranch birds on the Carrizo Plain From: "sharumkathy" <ksharum AT wildblue.net> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:28:49 -0000 For the last two weeks, we've had several Bullock's orioles here. I had kind of a lengthy absence at the tail end of their breeding season so I can't say for sure these birds are not some of the same birds that were here during the nesting season. Five days ago I noticed a Western kingbird here and that night realized it was part of a pair that was feeding a fledgling. Kingbirds did not fare well this spring, nearly all fledglings were taken by ravens. On 12 Aug., we had a chipping sparrow and a warbling vireo - no luck taking photos of these however the next day I was able to see the vireo again and took some photos. We also had a male Wilson's warbler on that day and a black phoebe. This morning's highlights were an orange-crowned warbler and a prarie falcon. Kathy Sharum Carrizo Plain National Monument Subject: Bald Eagle Juvies at Whale Rock Reservoir From: TEdell AT aol.com Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:43:39 EDT This morning the GREEN-WINGED TEAL (presumably the male in eclipse plumage) continued in the Chorro Creek channel at Morro Bay. This bird has been present since at least the end of May. At Whale Rock Reservoir, there was an adult and two juvenile BALD EAGLES. The juveniles were calling and interacting in flight while the adult remained perched in the usual coast live oak tree. At one point a juvenile landed next to the adult and called (begged?) constantly while perched. While not 100% conclusive, the presence of two juveniles and the previous observation of an adult carrying food up canyon strongly suggests that the adult pair successfully fledged two young somewhere up the Cottontail Creek drainage this summer. Other birds of interest included the continuing male LESSER SCAUP and 12 NORTHERN PINTAIL. Even with a scope the distance was too great to distinguish the age/sex of the pintail. The adult MUTE SWAN is still present and four WILSON'S PHALAROPES were feeding near the Cottontail Creek arm shoreline. Tom Edell Cayucos, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Western Tanager From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:47:17 -0700 (PDT) This morning I had a male WESTERN TANAGER at Cerro Alto campground. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cayucos Birds 8/12 From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:57:58 -0700 (PDT) Eric Brunschwiler, Kaaren Perry and I birded several spots around Cayucos. Our most amazing sighting was 43 RED-THROATED LOONS seen in 3 groups of 19, 18 and 7 from Lucerne Street.  Most were in breeding plumage or coming out of breeding plumage.  Several were in non-breeding plumage. At Whale Rock Reservoir  we had the continuing male LESSER SCAUP, a family group of Rufous-crowned Sparrows with 3 juveniles, and a White-tailed Kite reported by Tom Edell last week. There were 3 SURFBIRDS and 1 RUDDY TURNSTONE  (all in partial breeding plumage) at the rock north of Cayucos Creek. Estero Bluffs (accessed from the Fig tree parking are) had 2 WANDERING TATTLERS and the male HARLEQUIN DUCK. With good lighting and the duck fairly near shore, we clearly saw the white inner tertials differentiating a male in eclipse from a female. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: surfbirds From: mctharms AT aol.com Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:57:12 EDT This morning on the north end of the beach just north of the Cayucos pier, a group of 40 Black Turnstones included 4 adult Surfbirds, the first I've seen this fall. They wore what remains of breeding plumage and very worn wings. Two very different individuals are shown on my flickr site: _http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/) There were also 2 Ruddy Turnstones. The group was alternately on rocks, then on the beach, and while on the beach they fed actively on flies, I believe. There were also some gulls, 11 Killdeer and some European Starlings--an odd collection-- feeding similarly. Marlin Harms Morro Bay, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Morro Bay From: "steve schubert" <s_schub1 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 20:57:12 -0700 Hello all, I led a kayaking tour at sunset yesterday Aug. 7th and a half day tour today Aug. 8th in Morro Bay. At dusk last night 6 Brant were up in the dune vegetation about 20 ft. from the bay water's edge, perhaps roosting there overnight. Caspian terns in flight and roosting up higher in the dunes were noisy with raucous calls and high shrill juvenile calls heard well after dark. Today an osprey was hunting high over the bay, wheeling around and heading in the direction of the state park marina. Steve Schubert Los Osos www.condorlookout.org photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12571965 AT N07/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Caspian Terns From: "aidan_briggs" <aidan_briggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:08:36 -0000 This afternoon there were eight Caspian Terns along with one Royal Tern among a big flock of gulls on the beach near San Simeon creek mouth. One of the Caspian's was a juvenile that was constantly begging. Two juvenile Least Sandpiper were the only peeps there. Aidan Briggs Templeton http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanbriggs/ Subject: new member test post From: "David L. Keeling" <dkeeling AT calpoly.edu> Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 21:15:31 -0700 (PDT) Hello all, This is a test message (second attempt). I have just posted some photos on Flickr that I have taken over the last 2-3 weeks. You hopefully can view them at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/35707483 AT N07/4047286075/ They include San Simeon Creek: DOWITCHER (sp); RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (excitedly working the scrub between the beach and Highway 1); GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (who dropped a small frog to grab a small flatfish out of practically no water at all; SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (my first); a banded PEREGRINE FALCON who came down to take a bath within 10 feet of the resident resting mallards; PIGEON GUILLEMOT at the San Simeon Pier (could not see the white-winged scoter). Estero Bluffs: WILLET; WANDERING TATTLER; BLACK TURNSTONE; RUDDY TURNSTONE; two NORTHERN HARRIERs, one a juvenile (totally spooking the shorebirds); HARLEQUIN DUCK (which was in close to shore moving west. I went ahead of her and set up my tripod and waited. She swam to within about 50 feet before veering off.) Old Creek: while not seeing the red phalerope, I enjoyed lots of bathing birds, CURLEW; WESTERN SANDPIPER; GULLS, GULLS, GULLS. Oso Flaco Lake: LEAST TERN. (very cooperative) Pismo Beach: while not seeing the reddish egret, 2 GREEN HERONs; juv SHARP-SHINNED HAWK; OSPREY; BLACK SKIMMER; MALLARD family. Turri Road: BLUE GROSBEAK Thanks to all who report their sightings. Hopefully, I’m joining your ranks. Dave Keeling Morro Bay Subject: Estero Bluffs From: mctharms AT aol.com Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 15:44:08 EDT I walked Estero Bluffs this AM and found probably only one Wandering Tattler (saw one on the return walk also)--an adult. There were also 4 Spotted Sandpipers, the 3 that I saw well were all adults. The Harlequin Duck was in the main cove, about 70 yards from shore. As it went through a bout of bathing and preening, it flapped its wings twice and I could see that the primaries are extremely short, short enough to make me wonder if it could fly. A lone Caspian Tern adult flew by. A group of 30-ish Black Turnstones did not include a Ruddy. (On the 6th, a similar size group of Black Turnstones on Cayucos Beach, just north of the pier, included two Ruddies.) Marlin Harms Morro Bay, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Elegant Terns From: "cheryl lish" <cheryl-lish AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 22:40:20 -0700 On Monday 8/2 There were approx 70 Elegant Terns on the beach at A G Creek. Today there were more than 300. Several young were being fed. Also 1 Forster's Tern. Possibly others - it was a very brief observation. Cheryl Lish Arroyo Grande cheryl lish cheryl-lish AT earthlink.net EarthLink Revolves Around You. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Western Tanager From: "schaeferross" <schaeferross AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:00:33 -0000 A male western tanager visited our bird drip at 12:00 today. Ross Schaefer Atascadero Subject: Shorebirds From: "aidan_briggs" <aidan_briggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:36:59 -0000 I went to Old Creek last night and it was pretty quiet. I didn't see the Red Phalarope and the only birds at the creek mouth were one Least and one Western Sandpiper, both still in breeding plumage. There were several California Gulls in with a flock of Heerman's. If anyone is interested, I saw 14 Greater Yellowlegs and a Glaucous-winged Gull at UCSB Campus point in Santa Barbara County two days ago. Pictures are here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanbriggs/ Aidan BriggsTempleton, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: San Simeon pier, White-winged scoter From: "Eric" <ericbrunschwiler AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:58:40 -0000 Maggie Smith and I birded the north county today, stopping at San simeon pier where we saw the persisting WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. Other notable birds included a MARBLED MURRELET (possible juvenile) and a RED-THROATED LOON. At a turnout south of the pier, we saw another MARBLED MURRELET. Eric Brunschwiler, Cambria CA Subject: Semipalmated Sandpiper From: "Michael D. Stiles" <mstiles AT calpoly.edu> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 19:58:10 -0700 (PDT) I had a juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER in the Morro Bay estuary off of South Bay Blvd near the junction of Turri Road this evening around 6:30pm. It was with a flock of Least and Western Sandpipers and I had good looks to compare the short, thicker bill, darker crown, prominent eye stripe of the Semi with the nearby Westerns. Mike Stiles Los Osos, CA Subject: Audubon Field Trip - San Simeon State Park From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 14:18:20 -0700 (PDT) Saturday, August 7th - 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM Join Eric Brunschwiler on a slow-paced 3 to 4 mile loop thru grasslands, pines and willows at San Simeon State Park. We will be on trails, partly flat, but with several moderate up and down grades. This trip is suitable for birders of all levels, including beginners and youth.  Bring water, snacks and lunch if you’d prefer to eat before returning south To carpool: meet at the SW corner of the Morro Bay Spencer’s Market parking lot before 7:00 AM.  Spencer’s Market is on Main Street, a short distance North of Route 41. Those living in north county or north coast area may meet at 7:30 AM at the Washburn day-use parking lot; about 2 miles north of the last traffic light in Cambria, turn right (east) just before the bridge into the Washburn Day Use Area. Call Eric at 927-1923 for more information. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: juvenile California Gull, etc. From: mctharms AT aol.com Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 18:28:36 EDT I saw my first juvenile California Gull of the season this AM at Morro Strand among some Heermann's Gulls. Earlier in the morning there were about 30 Black Turnstones and one Ruddy Turnstone at Cayucos State Beach, north of the pier. Briefly there was also a Black-bellied Plover still in breeding plumage. Some photos (not of the latter) are at _http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlinharms/) I also checked the beach around Old Creek for the Red Phalarope, but missed it. I notice by flickr notations that people have been seeing it early in the day and I went there about 0930, when there were already quite a few people. Marlin Harms Morro Bay, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Oso Flaco Lake 8/3 From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 13:00:37 -0700 (PDT) Saw 2 first year COMMON TERNS on the beach this morning. They flew north and kept on going. Also saw my first juvenile Least Tern of the season on the lake getting fishing lessons from one adult/parent.. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: selasphorus ID From: Alan Schmierer <aaschmierer AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 20:39:10 -0700 (PDT) Since this is an Arizona bird, perhaps I am out of order to ask for opinions ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/sloalan/4854886007/ but you SLO folks are such experts at this........ Alan Schmierer PO Box 626 Patagonia, AZ 85624 805-801-3701 (cell) PHOTOS AT: www.flickr.com/photos/sloalan/sets [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Monday birds 8/2 From: Maggie Smith <milleniummaggs AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 19:34:49 -0700 (PDT) The RED PHALAROPE continues on the beach at Old Creek http://www.morrocoastaudubon.org/ncguide.htm#olcrmo At Whale Rock Reservoir there were 2 adult BALD EAGLES. Maggie Smith Arroyo Grande http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomaggie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Baywood/Los Osos- morning birds From: "Kaaren Perry" <surfbird1 AT att.net> Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:51:19 -0000 There was a Wilson's Phalarope present at Baywood Park this morning. It was feeding on the mud bank across the street from the Baywood Inn. A single American Avocet was seen from Third Street lookout in Los Osos, my first of the Autumn season. Kaaren Perry Morro Bay Subject: Oso Flaco and SB county From: "Noah" <skater_ako1 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:00:54 -0000 Today, 8/1/10, I visited a few spots for shorebirds. Numbers are significantly lower than 2 weeks ago but some different species seem to be coming through. Thanks to a tip from Wes, I found 2-3 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS at the Santa Ynez RIver Estuary. Also of note were two close CLARK'S GREBES and 5 GREATER YELLOWLEGS here. The beach is closed, so you have to scope from the train trestle. The Guadalupe Permanent Pastures held a single LESSER YELLOWLEGS in the upper end of the pond. No signs of the Pacific Golden-Plover. At SMRE, I had a few shorebirds. My first juv. WESTERN SANDPIPER of the season was noteworthy. I then drove up to Oso Flaco (SLO County), 4 Least Terns were fishing on the lake. I walked out to the small estuary at the end of the boardwalk ad was surprised to find a nice little mudflat. There were many banded SNOWY PLOVER here and a handful of SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (these were in good numbers throughout the spots I covered), also 4 ROYAL, 1 FORSTER, and a CASPIAN rounded out the TERN species. Noah Gaines Santa Barbara, CA Subject: Weekend Birds From: TEdell AT aol.com Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2010 16:39:14 EDT This morning a GREEN-WINGED TEAL was back in the Chorro Creek channel at Morro Bay. It can be seen with a scope from a pullout along Parkview Road in Morro Bay State Park and is presumably the male (now in eclipse plumage) present since at least 31 May. Three juvenile WESTERN SANDPIPERS in a flock of peeps on Morro Bay were seen off the point along Pasadena Ave in Los Osos. A flock of 25 calling ELEGANT TERNS were the first ones I've seen (or heard) this year. FORESTER'S TERN numbers are slowly increasing and today a juvenile was with six adults. The male LESSER SCAUP and male RING-NECKED DUCK continue on Whale Rock Reservoir where the Ring-necked Duck is going into eclipse plumage. One of the two adult BALD EAGLES was present this morning in its favorite tree and then flying overhead. An adult WHITE-TAILED KITE, which is a little unusual here, was roosting on one of the dead stalks along the shoreline. And, the adult MUTE SWAN is still present. Tom Edell Cayucos, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]