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11 Mar Yolo open again. ["bypassdave2003" ] 11 Mar Short-eared owls still north of Davis, 10 Mar ["zsgavilan71" ] 11 Mar Hammond's Flycatcher Continues in Davis ["drsgmule" ] 10 Mar Re: [CB] Merced County 3/8/10 [Dominik Mosur ] 10 Mar Hammonds Flycatcher continues to be cooperative! ["naturestoc" ] 09 Mar Amador Mew Gull continues at Ione WTP ["Don Marsh" ] 9 Mar Merced County 3/8/10 [Dominik Mosur ] 09 Mar Yolo Bypass Open? ["Quichua" ] 8 Mar wt-tailed kite nest River Park Sac [SallyWalters DonSchmoldt ] 08 Mar Nesting Pair of White-tailed Kite ["cindyv1111 AT att.net" ] 08 Mar Cassin's Kingbirds, Long-eared Owls, Roadrunners and Eur. Collared Doves ["naturestoc" ] 08 Mar sandhill cranes over downtown Sac ["Steve Hampton" ] 08 Mar Mew Gull at Ione WTP ["Don Marsh" ] 08 Mar Alvarado Apts in Davis ["Steve Hampton" ] 8 Mar San Joaquin Audubon General Meeting Tuesday, March 9 [Kasey Foley ] 07 Mar cranes and an owl [Trailwind ] 7 Mar 3/7: Hammond's Flycatcher Still in Davis [SallyWalters DonSchmoldt ] 7 Mar cranes again ["Frances Bidstrup" ] 7 Mar Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area trip report ["Adamson, Roger" ] 07 Mar Sandhill Cranes Carmichael ["ngronert" ] 07 Mar Hammond's Flycatcher Still in Davis ["edwhisler" ] 07 Mar Plumbeous Vireo Continues at Southside Park! ["drsgmule" ] 07 Mar Davis Area Birds Saturday March 6 ["rosita94598" ] 07 Mar Wood ducks in Davis ["ngronert" ] 07 Mar FOS Rufous Hummingbird 3/6 ["slimgoodbdy22" ] 06 Mar Eurasian Wigeon Continues at Sailor Bar, No Luck with Yellow-shafted Flicker ["drsgmule" ] 06 Mar No luck with the Plumbeous Vireo, Trumpeter Swans continue! ["naturestoc" ] 5 Mar Re: sandhill cranes [Doug Herr ] 5 Mar sandhill cranes ["Frances Bidstrup" ] 05 Mar No Bliss River Ct. Sacramento Red-naped Sapsucker ["tim.ruckle" ] 5 Mar RE: crane migration pattern over Sacramento ["James F. Holmes" ] 5 Mar crane migration pattern over Sacramento [] 5 Mar Putah Creek hummers et al [Manfred Kusch ] 05 Mar Putah Creek Cyn ["Steve Hampton" ] 5 Mar Corral Hollow Selasphorus ["Craig Swolgaard" ] 5 Mar Raptors at southern Merced/Mariposa boundary ["sschneider7 AT juno.com" ] 3 Mar Davis Harlan's Hawk ["John Sterling" ] 04 Mar Glaucous gull, Solano Co, 3 March ["zsgavilan71" ] 03 Mar GBBC ["jxpearce" ] 03 Mar Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker on American River Parkway ["Kevin" ] 01 Mar Dinosaur Point road and Medeiros on 2/27 ["jeffers_richard" ] 02 Mar Recent Harlan's photo...so, so ["zsgavilan71" ] 01 Mar Eurasian Wigeon - Lincoln WTP ["Chad Aakre" ] 01 Mar Mountain Bluebird - Lake Camanche ["Chad Aakre" ] 01 Mar Harlan's blitz continues, Solano Co., 1 March ["zsgavilan71" ] 1 Mar Mokelumne Hatchery, Lake Camanche, Flood-Waverly [Chris Conard ] 1 Mar sandhill cranes circling, soaring over paradise too! [Dawn Garcia ] 28 Feb Davis Cinnamon X Blue-winged Teal male ["John Sterling" ] 28 Feb RE: Eurasian Wigeon pair at Davis WTP ["John Sterling" ] 28 Feb Sandhills over my Placerville-area home too! ["Frank" ] 28 Feb Sandhill Cranes ["Ann" ] 28 Feb Eurasian Wigeon pair at Davis WTP ["Steve Hampton" ] 27 Feb Re: Peregrine falcon - downtown Sacramento [Chris Conard ] 27 Feb Feb 23-25, 2010 Hope Valley - dipper and more [SallyWalters DonSchmoldt ] 27 Feb Southside Park, Sacramento birds persist [Gil Ewing ] 27 Feb Rufous Red-tail with white patches Yolo Co ["Adamson, Roger" ] 26 Feb Red-nape : ) / Plumbeous : ( ["jaegermaestro" ] 26 Feb Cattle Egrets in Rosemont area, Sac co. ["naturestoc" ] 26 Feb Sacramento County birds ["John and Glennah Trochet" ] 26 Feb Re: Merced county - 2/25/10 [Dominik Mosur ] 25 Feb Merced county - 2/25/10 [Dominik Mosur ] 25 Feb Another Harlan's Red-tail for good measure!! Yolo Co. ["Adamson, Roger" ] 26 Feb Yet another Harlan's Red-tailed hawk, Solano Co, 25 Feb ["zsgavilan71" ] 26 Feb Plumbeous Vireo - NO, Western Tanager and Red-naped Sapsucker - YEA!! ["naturestoc" ] 25 Feb Peregrine falcon - downtown Sacramento ["tbgl2003" ] 23 Feb Mountain Bluebirds in Amador and Sacramento Counties [] 22 Feb hammond's fly Yolo Co ["Adamson, Roger" ] 23 Feb Mew Gull, Folsom Lake (Placer) ["Ron Pozzi" ] 22 Feb Long-eared owl No, Hammond's Fly Yes ["Denise and David Hamilton" ] 22 Feb Plumbeous Vireo, Southside Park (still there) ["Daniel Burmester" ] 22 Feb Sunday- Yellow Headed Blackbirds at Merced NWF [Lisa ] 22 Feb Owls ["Jerred" ] 21 Feb Question re flock of Western Meadowlarks ["yolobirder" ] 22 Feb FOS swallows - the route they take. ["williamscotthuber" ] 21 Feb Mokelumne River, Flood Waverly, Woodbridge Rd. [Matthew Dodder ] 21 Feb Merced NWR on Saturday [Lisa ] Subject: Yolo open again. From: "bypassdave2003" <dfeliz AT dfg.ca.gov> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:47:07 -0000 We are planning to open up the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area again today. Thanks for your patience. Still plenty of shorebirds and waterfowl out there. On another note, there are large flocks of blackbirds in the field north of the rice dryers and west of the Wildlife Area entrance. This is across the street from the Yolo Fruit Stand. These flocks include a good number of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. It is quite a sight. Dave Feliz Area Manager Yolo Bypass Wildlife AreaSubject: Short-eared owls still north of Davis, 10 Mar From: "zsgavilan71" <zsgavilan AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:57:04 -0000 Watched at least 2 Short-eared owls off Road 29 this evening. I only ever saw two together, but distance and short duration between a couple of sightings suggested a possible third bird. Birds were first seen about 1755 south of Rd. 29, then they wandered north of 28H. An interesting interaction occurred with a male harrier. One of the owls caught a rodent, and almost immediately the harrier was chasing it. A second short-ear pursued, but I couldn't tell which it was chasing (Is this a mated pair of owls, who may try to nest this year?). Anyway, the owl with prey simply started to soar higher, maybe up to 300 feet. The harrier lost the impetus and abandoned the chase and the owl dropped down a short distance away to eat on the ground. My guess is that the owl's lighter wing-loading allowed it to climb away from the heavier harrier (no slouch in the light wing-loading department), which would tire quickly in the cooling air. Or it was just playing. Cool stuff, nonetheless. Zach Smith Davis, CA.Subject: Hammond's Flycatcher Continues in Davis From: "drsgmule" <pittmanl AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:15:42 -0000 Cathie LaZier and I made a quick trip to Davis this morning for the Hammond's Flycatcher. This was my 2nd attempt. It was cool and breezy with no visible bug activity in the ditch area. We found the flycatcher low in the willows near the west end of the row at 10:53 am. After a while, it moved east and up to the redwoods by the path. Two additional birders showed up and were able to enjoy great views also. When Cathie and I left about 11:20 am, it was back in the willows. We did not see it catch any bugs while we were there. Linda Pittman WiltonSubject: Re: [CB] Merced County 3/8/10 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:55:22 -0800 (PST) My apologies birders. It seems my geographical dyslexia is acting up again. The
pull out for upper Upper cottonwood creek is on the NORTH side of 152. This is
the second, smaller, pullout with gate, closer to the Santa Clara Co. line.
Dominik
On Tue Mar 9th, 2010 10:03 AM PST Dominik Mosur wrote:
>Birding yesterday with Peter Metropulos we started by hiking the upper
entrance to Upper Cottonwood Creek south of 152. (Be careful, the pull out has
room for only one car, the traffic moves very fast and does not stop.)
>
>The hillsides were colored by blooming Amsinckia (fiddlenecks) and
appropriately enough some of the first birds we saw were (10) LAWRENCE'S
GOLDFINCHES flying into valley oaks with LESSER GOLDFINCHES. Other birds
encountered on the hike up the canyon included a pair of STELLER'S JAYS,
several fly-over WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, CALIFORNIA THRASHER, CALIFORNIA QUAIL,
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, OAK TITMOUSE, SPOTTED/CALIFORNIA
TOWHEES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS and an immature GOLDEN EAGLE.
>
>Many blooming wildflowers including Milk Maids, Shooting Stars, Hound's Tongue
and others.
>
>The afternoon was spent birding around Gun Club Road and Santa Fe Grade near
the town of Gustine.
>
>Highlights here included (4) BALD EAGLES, two adults, and two different aged
immatures. The immature eagles appeared to be a 3rd and 1st "cycle" birds. The
1st "cycle" was observed sitting within very close proximity (within wing's
reach) of one of the adult eagles for several minutes. The other adult provided
excitement as it pulled a carp out of the pond as I watched it through my
scope. Other raptors in this area included a PEREGRINE FALCON, (18+) Northern
Harriers, (4) White-tailed Kites, (5) American Kestrels, (9) Red-tailed Hawks
and Peter spotted a lone fly-over SWAINSON'S HAWK heading east.
>
>In addition we had a total of (33) BLUE-WINGED TEAL, (2) MARBLED GODWITS,
(100+) YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS with 80-90% of those males in and (15+) GREAT
TAILED GRACKLES at their usual spot, the Gustine Gun Club. Also (3) singing
COMMON YELLOWTHROATS.
>
>As we drove home on 152 I noticed another adult BALD EAGLE (5th for the day)
sitting on the ground on a hillside overlooking San Luis Reservoir south of the
highway.
>
>Good birding,
>Dominik Mosur
>San Francisco
>
>
>
>
Subject: Hammonds Flycatcher continues to be cooperative!From: "naturestoc" <Naturestoc AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:56:01 -0000 I easily found the Hammond's Flycatcher this morning north of Davis, Yolo co. The bird was mostly in the bare willows along the ditch north of Sandpiper Dr. and west of F st. This bird is really doing well feeding on various insects. I photographed it eating a Lady Bug, a Cabbage Butterfly and a juicy moth larvae! Below is a link to the photos. http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/Nature/Flycatchers/11467561_bus2g#806510324_Jo6cm Dan Brown, Sacramento, www.naturestoc.smugmug.comSubject: Amador Mew Gull continues at Ione WTP From: "Don Marsh" <marsh_don AT att.net> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:19:39 -0000 I found the continuing adult Mew Gull at the Ione WTP this morning hanging out with approximately 40 California Gulls. I also had my FOS Violet-Green Swallow this morning. Don Marsh Sutter Creek, Amador CountySubject: Merced County 3/8/10 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 10:03:25 -0800 (PST) Birding yesterday with Peter Metropulos we started by hiking the upper entrance
to Upper Cottonwood Creek south of 152. (Be careful, the pull out has room for
only one car, the traffic moves very fast and does not stop.)
The hillsides were colored by blooming Amsinckia (fiddlenecks) and
appropriately enough some of the first birds we saw were (10) LAWRENCE'S
GOLDFINCHES flying into valley oaks with LESSER GOLDFINCHES. Other birds
encountered on the hike up the canyon included a pair of STELLER'S JAYS,
several fly-over WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, CALIFORNIA THRASHER, CALIFORNIA QUAIL,
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, OAK TITMOUSE, SPOTTED/CALIFORNIA
TOWHEES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS and an immature GOLDEN EAGLE.
Many blooming wildflowers including Milk Maids, Shooting Stars, Hound's Tongue
and others.
The afternoon was spent birding around Gun Club Road and Santa Fe Grade near
the town of Gustine.
Highlights here included (4) BALD EAGLES, two adults, and two different aged
immatures. The immature eagles appeared to be a 3rd and 1st "cycle" birds. The
1st "cycle" was observed sitting within very close proximity (within wing's
reach) of one of the adult eagles for several minutes. The other adult provided
excitement as it pulled a carp out of the pond as I watched it through my
scope. Other raptors in this area included a PEREGRINE FALCON, (18+) Northern
Harriers, (4) White-tailed Kites, (5) American Kestrels, (9) Red-tailed Hawks
and Peter spotted a lone fly-over SWAINSON'S HAWK heading east.
In addition we had a total of (33) BLUE-WINGED TEAL, (2) MARBLED GODWITS,
(100+) YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS with 80-90% of those males in and (15+) GREAT
TAILED GRACKLES at their usual spot, the Gustine Gun Club. Also (3) singing
COMMON YELLOWTHROATS.
As we drove home on 152 I noticed another adult BALD EAGLE (5th for the day)
sitting on the ground on a hillside overlooking San Luis Reservoir south of the
highway.
Good birding,
Dominik Mosur
San Francisco
Subject: Yolo Bypass Open?From: "Quichua" <quichua AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:24:03 -0000 So is the Yolo Bypass/ Vic Fazio Wildlife Area open to the public again? -Janice Clark Galt, CA.Subject: wt-tailed kite nest River Park Sac From: SallyWalters DonSchmoldt <bajaowl AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 22:36:44 -0800 On Sunday March 6, 2010, We found a white-tailed kite nest at the top of a non-native pine tree - Austrian Pine? It is at the corner of Hale and Sandburg near the kids play yard and Hall Park. We heard the squawking and then saw the adult. We watched and took photos for several minutes before it crawled onto the stick nest that is very visible from a block NW of the tree. Sally Walters and Don Schmoldt SacramentoSubject: Nesting Pair of White-tailed Kite From: "cindyv1111 AT att.net" <cindyv1111@att.net> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:31:49 -0000 A little over two weeks ago I heard a few crows making a fuss and noticed a pair of White-tailed Kite sitting in a tree in the front yard of a house at 1813 Park Blvd. in West Sacramento. Today I returned to the area and noticed a Red-shouldered Hawk calling out as he flew in small circles above that same tree. The pair of White-tailed Kite have built a nest at the top of the tree. The tree is just beginning to get new leaves and the nest is right out in the open. One of the birds sat on the nest while the other one attempted to fly in an attacking manner at the Red-Shouldered Hawk several times in an attempt to chase it away. Eventually the Hawk flew off, but I don't think it left because it felt threatened by the Kite. Two years ago two Red-Shouldered hawks flew around a nest of Yellow-billed Magpies in a Sycamore tree behind my house every day. The hawks waited until the young Magpies were just about ready tho leave the nest before attacking the nest and killing all of the Magpies in one afternoon. This hawk today seemed to be trying to get close enough to see if the eggs had hatched and I think it will return. The smaller pair of Kite do not seen to be any match for the Red-Shouldered Hawk. Cindy Valencia West Sacramento,CASubject: Cassin's Kingbirds, Long-eared Owls, Roadrunners and Eur. Collared Doves From: "naturestoc" <Naturestoc AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:16:49 -0000 Hi All, we birded Mercy Hot Springs Rd. and Panoche Valley yesterday. It was a beautiful day with every hill covered in green grass and many wildflowers! We were treated with 6 roadrunners between Little Panoche Res. and the west side of Panoche Valley. They were in pairs! Mercy Hot Springs yeilded 8 Long-eared Owls (a low number?). Cassin's Kingbirds were plentiful between the Panoche Inn and the west side of the valley with 7 different birds! Below is a link to photos of the 3 species. http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/Nature/Calbirding-2010-big-bird-photo/10973419_nnFku#805448077_a65v3 Eurasian Collared Doves were obsereved in Downtown Hilmar and along highway 165 south of Los Banos and at the Panoche Inn in Panoche Valley! They are everywhere! Dan Brown, Sacramento, www.naturestoc.smugmug.comSubject: sandhill cranes over downtown Sac From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:38:07 -0800 50 cranes spiraling up and calling over 17th and K a few minutes ago. I assume they had to some staging area before proceeding all the way to their breeding grounds. Steve Hampton ________________ Resource Economist Office of Spill Prevention and Response California Dept of Fish and Game PO Box 944209 Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 ----------------------------------- (916) 323-4724 phone (916) 324-8829 faxSubject: Mew Gull at Ione WTP From: "Don Marsh" <marsh_don AT att.net> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:01:24 -0000 Last Thursday March 4th I found an adult Mew Gull at the Ione Water Treatment plant in with a group of California Gulls. I'll post a photo shortly. Sorry for the late posting but I was headed out of town at the time. Good Birding, Don Marsh Sutter Creek, Amador CountySubject: Alvarado Apts in Davis From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:53:03 -0800 Yesterday morning (Mar 7) I visited the Alvarado Apts at Alvarado and Catalina in north Davis. Always a good spot for mtn birds in winter. The continuing male TOWNSEND'S WARBLER was there, and a female as well. One GOLDEN-CR KINGLET was hanging with the latter. Also, one SLATE-COLORED JUNCO was present. good birding, Steve Hampton ________________ Resource Economist Office of Spill Prevention and Response California Dept of Fish and Game PO Box 944209 Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 ----------------------------------- (916) 323-4724 phone (916) 324-8829 faxSubject: San Joaquin Audubon General Meeting Tuesday, March 9 From: Kasey Foley <kaseyfoley AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 08:25:39 -0800 (PST) Please join the San Joaquin Audubon Society this Tuesday night at 7:30 pm for a wonderful program on native plants in western El Dorado County by Graciela Hinshaw, “Pine Hill Preserve, Western El Dorado County” Graciela is the Pine Hill Preserve Manager for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Pine Hill Preserve was established in April 2001 to ensure that habitat for eight rare plant species growing on gabbro soils in western El Dorado County (EDC) would be protected from factors threatening their survival and recovery. Five of the eight rare plant species protected at the Preserve are listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act and/or the California Endangered Species Act. Four of the eight rare plants are also endemic to gabbro soils in western EDC. Graciela will talk about the unique plants and soils of the preserve and the steps that are being taken to ensure their protection. The meeting location is at Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Avenue(across from UOP) in Stockton, and begins at 7:30 p.m. Plenty of parking and refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Kasey Foley, Program Chair San Joaquin Audubon Society Stockton [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: cranes and an owl From: Trailwind <trailwind AT surewest.net> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:25:20 -0800 I was out at Mather Regional Park in Rancho Cordova all morning and about 10.30 or so several large groups of sandhill cranes flew over. I often see/hear them there, often circling around and around, but today the groups seemed to be on the move and just flew over and kept going. If anyone is interested in a rather permanent, very people tolerant Great Horned Owl, there is one at Mather that has been in the same tree very consistently over the last couple of weeks. Off of Mather Road, that circles the edge of the old runways, there's a small street called Convair Liner Rd. It's within a hundred yards or so of the Mather Rd/Douglas Blvd intersection. Convair Liner leads into the old radar dome area and there's a pipe gate across it that may be locked. Park outside and walk in probably not even 100 yards and there's a big, still leafless tree off on the right. The owl has been sitting in that tree regularly. Wanting pictures I started taking shots as I slowly moved towards him. He watched me but never moved and eventually I got around to where I could fill my camera frame with just him. Beautiful bird and he gave me some great pictures. Also seen out there, lots of red tailed hawks, harriers, kites and a friend even saw a couple of loggerhead shrikes. Sue Larson Citrus Heights, CASubject: 3/7: Hammond's Flycatcher Still in Davis From: SallyWalters DonSchmoldt <bajaowl AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 17:45:15 -0800 And again, at ~ 1:45 we observed the Hammond's Flycatcher in the
willows in the ditch and then move to the center of the line of
Redwood trees. Nice looks for about 15 minutes.
Sally Walters & Don Schmolt
Sacramento, Sac County
On Mar 7, 2010, at 11:32 AM, edwhisler wrote:
> Birders:
>
> Sunday 10:30am. I checked on the Hammond's Flycatcher in North
> Davis. It is still at the same location described by other birders.
> It is along the ditch west of F Street and north of Sandpiper Drive.
> It was perched on the wire fence between the path and the Coast
> Redwoods. About 75 feet from the west end of the redwoods. Very
> tame. Great looks in the sun.
>
> Ed Whisler
> Davis, Yolo County
> 916-204-0471 cell
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Subject: cranes againFrom: "Frances Bidstrup" <francesbid AT directcon.net> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:59:25 -0800 Since there is an interest in the time Sandhill Cranes are observed, today at about 3:pm, that huge flock of well over 100 were circling and "singing" over Pollock Pines, drifting North-East. Frances Bidstrup. Frances C. Bidstrup Wetlands Ecology Division Conservation Science Point Reyes Bird Observatory (530)644-2430 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area trip report From: "Adamson, Roger" <rhadamson AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:50:49 -0800 Eight intrepid participants joined my Yolo Audubon Society field-trip for a successful sojourn to the wilds of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on Sunday, March 7th. Highlights included numerous flocks of Sandhill Cranes totaling on the order of 300-400 birds (between about 10 am and 1 pm) and flocks of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Also flying north were several thousand Snow Geese. We had Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, a smattering of Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Least Sandpiper, one Long-billed Curlew and many Long-billed Dowitchers. Although we saw hundreds of Tree Swallows, we did not detect any other swallow species. Our species total was 73, with a satisfying variety. Also seen were a lone coyote and 4 beaver (!) in the toe drain on the east side of the Wildlife Area. Images of one of the beavers on my Picasa web site: http://picasaweb.google.com/rha632 Roger Adamson DavisSubject: Sandhill Cranes Carmichael From: "ngronert" <NGRONERT AT DCN.DAVIS.CA.US> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:10:55 -0000 I found recent posts about time of day and Sandhill crane movement quite interesting. Sure enough, I was in Carmichael this morning and about 10:15 there were about 140 sandhill cranes circling and trilling over Bella Bru, corner of Fair Oaks and Arden. Nancy Gronert DavisSubject: Hammond's Flycatcher Still in Davis From: "edwhisler" <edwhisler530 AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:32:16 -0000 Birders: Sunday 10:30am. I checked on the Hammond's Flycatcher in North Davis. It is still at the same location described by other birders. It is along the ditch west of F Street and north of Sandpiper Drive. It was perched on the wire fence between the path and the Coast Redwoods. About 75 feet from the west end of the redwoods. Very tame. Great looks in the sun. Ed Whisler Davis, Yolo County 916-204-0471 cellSubject: Plumbeous Vireo Continues at Southside Park! From: "drsgmule" <pittmanl AT frontiernet.net> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:43:32 -0000 I took a detour on the way back from Auburn Regional Park and viewing the Trumpeter Swans and made my 3rd trip to Southside Park today. Not very many people in the park for a Saturday afternoon. I found the Plumbeous Vireo at 2:45 pm in the group of pine trees immediately west of the east entrance to the park (U St. intersection) and east of the restroom building. Initially it was in the branches close to the top of the tree just south of the park sidewalk and then moved through the group of pine trees, mostly mid-height and near the branch ends. I had some great views (and hopefully photos) following it through the trees for about 10 minutes until it went higher into the most westerly tree of the group and I lost it. There was also a small number of Bushtits in the same trees. Linda Pittman Wilton CASubject: Davis Area Birds Saturday March 6 From: "rosita94598" <rosita94598 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:12:48 -0000 Some of us from the Bay Area made a trip to Davis for birding and wine tasting. We visited Grasslands Park on Mace Boulevard looking for the continuing Long-eared Owl. With more than ten pairs of eyes we could not find it in the area around range 7 of the archery area. We did find 3 Barn Owls in one tree. Before tasting our wine, we drove to the other side of Davis to find the continuing Hammond's Flycatcher at the ditch at F and Anderson. This bird was readily seen for as long as we wanted. We even saw it chase, catch and eat a white butterfly. After the wine and lunch, we drove north to the viewing area just short of Woodland on Road 102. Some Greater White-fronted Geese were to the southeast. We also saw some Avocets, Stilts and several duck species. Moving on we traveled west on Road 29 to the areas around the Yolo Airport. We did find a Rough-legged Hawk flying west over Road 95, just north of Road 31. This hawk did not stop. Back on Road 29 and 1.2 miles east of Road 95, we stopped near a concrete bridge over Dry Slough. It was late in the afternoon by this time, but we found 3 male and 1 female Mountain Bluebirds. Altogether, except for the Owl miss, it was a satisfying day. Hugh B. Harvey Walnut CreekSubject: Wood ducks in Davis From: "ngronert" <NGRONERT AT DCN.DAVIS.CA.US> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:50:18 -0000 There were a couple pairs of gaudy wood ducks in the pond between Sudwerk's and the dog park off of Second Street about 11 am Saturday. They were dabbling around the rushes farthest north in the pond and easiest to see from the blocked off road / yellow gate area just west of the Pole Line Road overcrossing. Nancy Gronert DavisSubject: FOS Rufous Hummingbird 3/6 From: "slimgoodbdy22" <mrogers8 AT mail.csuchico.edu> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:43:43 -0000 Hello All, I had a male Rufous Hummingbird in my parent's backyard in SE Chico. Their fruit trees have bloomed a little early this year and the hummingbird was coming a peach tree for approximately 30 minutes in the mid afternoon. This bird was the 62nd species for their yard this year. Good birding, Matt Rogers Chico, CASubject: Eurasian Wigeon Continues at Sailor Bar, No Luck with Yellow-shafted Flicker From: "drsgmule" <pittmanl AT frontiernet.net> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:02:51 -0000 The Eurasian Wigeon continues at the Sailor Bar pond and presented lots of photo opps. Later I went to the other side of the river looking for the Yellow-shafted Flicker but no luck. There was a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting on a nest in the cottonwoods. While at Sailor Bar, Sandhill Cranes flew over at 11:45 a.m. When I returned to Wilton at 4:45 p.m., approximately 60 Sandhill Cranes were flying west in a lopsided V formation. Linda Pittman Wilton, CASubject: No luck with the Plumbeous Vireo, Trumpeter Swans continue! From: "naturestoc" <Naturestoc AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:14:41 -0000 Hi All, I attempted to find the Plumbeous Vireo this morning at Southside Park, Sacramento with no success. I did see the Black-throated Gray Warbler though, in the evergreens just west of the stage. I Also visited Auburn Regional Park, Auburn and the Trumpeter Swans continue. Here's a link to photos - http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/Nature/DucksGeeseLoonsGrebes/4595688_DEwRe#803251669_hdwwF Dan Brown, Sacramento, www.naturestoc.smugmug.comSubject: Re: sandhill cranes From: Doug Herr <wildlightphoto AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 21:47:03 -0500 (EST) Frances Bidstrup wrote: >Today at 14:50, Pollock Pines was honored to have a flight of Sandhill Cranes overhead! Orangevale must be under the Sandhill Cranes' main route, I've been seeing & hearing them almost daily for a few weeks now. Doug Herr Orangevale, Sacramento County http://www.wildlightphoto.comSubject: sandhill cranes From: "Frances Bidstrup" <francesbid AT directcon.net> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 14:51:55 -0800 Today at 14:50, Pollock Pines was honored to have a flight of Sandhill Cranes overhead! Frances C. Bidstrup Wetlands Ecology Division Conservation Science Point Reyes Bird Observatory (530)644-2430 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: No Bliss River Ct. Sacramento Red-naped Sapsucker From: "tim.ruckle" <tim.ruckle AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:14:17 -0000 Folks: Checked for the Red-naped Sapsucker at 9 Bliss River Ct., Sacramento this morning (Fri, Mar 5) from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. As some of you noted previously, the neighbors were nice, welcoming people (as was Jim at 9 Bliss River Ct.). The oak tree in his front yard had a lot of sapsucker-type holes with white sap trails below them. The only birds visiting the tree were a Yellow-rumped Warbler continually mocking my short vigil and an American Crow. Tim Ruckle ChicoSubject: RE: crane migration pattern over Sacramento From: "James F. Holmes" <jfholmes AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:08:52 -0800 I just had a flock of Sandhill Cranes fly over as I was walking to work from my house. It was 12:35pm. These were flying over the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Jim Holmes Hi folks: I've noticed Sandhill Crane migration on three dates so far this spring: 2/28 (heard only, at around 11:30 a.m.), 60 flying north on 3/1 at 11:35 a.m., and today (3/5), 175 flying north at 11:25-11:30 a.m. In looking back over my yard bird notes for the past 2 decades, I see that all spring (February-March) dates on which I have noticed cranes migrating over the house fall in a fairly narrow time range, 10:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (e.g., 160 flying north at 11:45 a.m. on 3/7/1995). This suggests to me that most if not all these birds are probably leaving the same general staging area at about the same time of day, year after year. I live in east Sacramento, near the intersection of Watt Avenue and Fair Oaks Blvd. The timing of observations of fall migrants (September-October) over my home range more broadly during the day, from midday to 5 p.m. Cheers, Tim Manolis [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: crane migration pattern over Sacramento From: YLIGHTFOOT AT AOL.COM Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 15:52:58 EST Hi folks: I've noticed Sandhill Crane migration on three dates so far this spring: 2/28 (heard only, at around 11:30 a.m.), 60 flying north on 3/1 at 11:35 a.m., and today (3/5), 175 flying north at 11:25-11:30 a.m. In looking back over my yard bird notes for the past 2 decades, I see that all spring (February-March) dates on which I have noticed cranes migrating over the house fall in a fairly narrow time range, 10:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (e.g., 160 flying north at 11:45 a.m. on 3/7/1995). This suggests to me that most if not all these birds are probably leaving the same general staging area at about the same time of day, year after year. I live in east Sacramento, near the intersection of Watt Avenue and Fair Oaks Blvd. The timing of observations of fall migrants (September-October) over my home range more broadly during the day, from midday to 5 p.m. Cheers, Tim Manolis [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Putah Creek hummers et al From: Manfred Kusch <makusch AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 12:28:43 -0800 The first Rufous Hummingbird, an all cinnamon male, showed up in my garden this morning, more or less on schedule. In the riparian woodland along the creek behind my house I have located eight Anna's nests so far of which five are still active. Two were destroyed close to the date when the young should have hatched, one was abandoned and then disassembled and integrated into a new nest. In one case of nest failure I am not sure whom to blame. I had watched one female on her nest about 20ft up in a cottonwood tree every morning during my walk since early February. About a week ago I noticed that the nest was not occupied and thinking that the female would soon return from feeding and might in fact be feeding hatchlings by now I waited to see what was up. Soon a female landed on the rim of the nest and began rather vigorously stabbing her bill into the bottom of the nest, then she picked two small white feathers from the lining near the rim of the nest and flew off and out of sight. I waited and in about a minute she returned but was immediately attacked and chased away by another female, I assume the rightful owner of the nest. The next day I found the nest of the raiding female about 100ft away in a small valley oak. The nest was complete and the female incubating. Is it possible that this female who had a clear view of the other nest destroyed the eggs or hatchlings of her neighbor? That nest has remained abandoned but otherwise untouched. Tree Swallows have been around off and on since early February, disappearing with each storm and returning in larger numbers with succeeding periods of sunshine, such as today. A pair of western Bluebirds has begun building a nest in one of my nest boxes, but so far without much urgency. The Red-tailed Hawks are on their nest, Red-shouldered Hawks are bringing nesting material to a nest at the other end of the eucalyptus grove that had originally, four or five years ago, been constructed by Red-shouldered Hawks but then been taken over by returning Swainson's Hawks, who in turn were displaced the following two years by Great Horned Owls. Last year the nest remained empty. I still have not been able to locate the nest of the owls who occupy the space between the Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks. They mated repeatedly in the evening last week and now only the male is visible, the female having disappeared, most likely sitting on her well hidden nest. Wood Ducks are checking out the nest boxes, but no eggs yet. And last, on my walk this morning I observed one pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers and a pair of Acorn Woodpeckers foraging in the same tree. Downy Woodpeckers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Rub-crowned Kinglets, and American Goldfinches are feeding on the tassels of the flowering cottonwoods or on insects associated with the flowers. Manfred Kusch Davis/Winters makusch AT ucdavis.edu 707-678-1027 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Putah Creek Cyn From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:27:35 -0000 Putah Creek Cyn felt like the high Andes this morning, with fog pouring over the ridges and thru the trees, lots of bird song, green, and wet. Hightlights: 2 NO. PYGMY-OWLS (one at roadside near the trailer park) 1 WINTER WREN (at bottom of trail/ramp near mp 4.09) (one MORPHNA SONG SPARROW here as well) 1 PHAINOPEPLA (at Pleasants Valley Rd bridge) many LUTESCENS ORANGE-CR WARBLERS (with orangey caps) seemingly moving up-canyon 1 LEWIS'S WOODPECKER at "Vesper Sparrow corner". good birding, Steve Hampton Davis, CASubject: Corral Hollow Selasphorus From: "Craig Swolgaard" <cswol AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 08:25:43 -0800 Birders- Yesterday Gary Fregien & I saw a female Selasphorus hummingbird feeding on some eucalyptus flowers in the Corral Hollow area. It was in a closed area of Carnegie SVRA. There was also a golden eagle soaring over the park. As some locals probably know, Kiln Canyon suffered a fire last year and much of the coastal scrub habitat there is gone until it grows back in a few years. Good birding, Craig Swolgaard Folsom, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Raptors at southern Merced/Mariposa boundary From: "sschneider7 AT juno.com" <sschneider7@juno.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 04:26:02 GMT Seen late this morning along the western stretch of Preston Rd and the eastern stretch of Raynor Ranch Rd: Ferruginous Hawk (light morph), Prairie Falcon, and adult Golden Eagle. Warning: Preston Rd was in very bad condition. Good birding, Susan Susan Schneider StocktonSubject: Davis Harlan's Hawk From: "John Sterling" <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 21:48:16 -0800 The light Harlan's Hawk found by Brian Sullivan last month was still in the same area along County Road 29 west of County Road 94. It was the third time that I looked for it, but only the first time that I saw it. There was also an adult Golden Eagle. Three weeks ago there was a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk and a Merlin in the same area. Lots of Red-tails and Harriers too. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com check out my photos at http://sterlingbirds.smugmug.com www.sterlingbirds.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Glaucous gull, Solano Co, 3 March From: "zsgavilan71" <zsgavilan AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:25:24 -0000 It was an odd sort of deja vu today as I had an adult Glaucous gull fly in front of the truck in exactly the same spot where a Harlan's Red-tail did so only a few days prior. The spot being Salem Rd just northeast of the Hastings/113 junction near the Jepson prairie. There are a couple nice temporary pools that have formed with all this rain (vernal pool signatures, I think) and have attracted decent numbers of gulls, shorebirds and ducks, which is where this gull eventually landed among other gulls that I could not see too well. I'll be driving this road more often to see what else flies in front of the truck. Zach Smith Davis, Ca.Subject: GBBC From: "jxpearce" <jxpearce AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:59:21 -0000 I suspect I'll be chastized for this posting, but I really get tired of the amateurizing of the GBBC, and especially the overt cheating of various CA birding groups. I sent the following note to GBBC, and I would hope Sacramento Audobon would mend their ways: To: GBBC Staff - I've been pondering the silliness issue for ten years. Every year, I watch the dance of the top 20 entries in California as they discover (?) new logs with new birds that take the towns (cities) a little further up the top 20 or top 10 lists. A good example of this is this year's top five CA entries. When the event ended, Sacramento was fourth with one bird better than Lakeport's fifth. About a week later, still within the reporting period, Lakeport mysteriously found another log containing another two birds (My, My...how convenient) and kicked Sacto to fifth place in CA. Now, you'd think that Sacto would roll over and concede defeat, but no, at the last minute, on the eve of the last day of reporting, Sacto managed to discover (?) a missing log with two new birds, kicking Lakeport back to fifth place. Are we approaching cage boxing? I thought that this silliness was unstoppable. But, I think the way to put an end to all this cheating is to have a much shorter period of reporting. It seems to me that the Friday after the end of the CBBS weekend should be the end of reporting. You don't want bad data, and I suspect that about 99.99999 percent of the reports after the first five days are fraudulent and therefore are bad data. I know you want to encourage participation and have a lengthly reporting period, but I hope you recognize that almost all of the reporting after five days after the CBBC weekend is fraudulent and simply designed to elevate the cheaters in the rankings. Hopefully, you'll establish practices to end the cheating. Those of us that participate honestly really are offended by the cheaters. Jim Pearce Fair Oaks, CASubject: Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker on American River Parkway From: "Kevin" <bionerdkevin AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:48:58 -0000 Folks, Today in between rain showers I observed a male yellow-shafted flicker at the east end of Upper Sunrise Park on the American River Parkway. If you want to look for it the best way to get there is to enter Upper Sunrise Park off Gold Country Drive off Hazel Ave. Park in the gravel parking lot past the payment box and walk north across the bike trail down a cobble path until you see the cottonwoods. The bird was perched at the top of one of the cottonwoods for several minutes. If you have the Google ebird rarities gadget you can view a map from there. Good birding Kevin Thomas SacramentoSubject: Dinosaur Point road and Medeiros on 2/27 From: "jeffers_richard" <jeffers_richard AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:07:58 -0000 I visited a couple of spots in Merced County with friends on Saturday, 2/27. There were 2 Steller's Jays along the Dinosaur Point road, seen shortly after proceeding downhill from the ridgetop. They were down the canyon on the east facing slope working through some oaks with mistletoe clumps. They can be tough to find in Merced. At the Medeiros campground on the south side of O'Neill forebay, we had a White-throated Sparrow. We walked past the concrete barriers blocking the road on the west side of the campground. There is a small wet, reedy area nearby (not really a pond) along the border of the forebay, and the White-throated Sparrow sat up in a small leafing out willow(?) at the edge of the reeds. While there were also White-crowned Sparrows in the vicinity, the White-throated Sparrow didn't appear to be associating with them particularly. This bird appeared somewhat intermediate in appearance between tan-striped and white-striped forms. Perhaps it's changing into SY plumage as a white-striped individual. Strong yellow loral patch and bright white throat were obvious, with strong rusty tones to the upperwing. Duck numbers and diversity were down on the forebay, with a couple of Common Mergansers being the best of the bunch. Richard Jeffers Santa ClaraSubject: Recent Harlan's photo...so, so From: "zsgavilan71" <zsgavilan AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:57:45 -0000 I put a pic of the light Harlan's Red-tailed hawk I found in Solano Co. today. Not a great shot, but works for ID. Zach Smith Davis, Ca.Subject: Eurasian Wigeon - Lincoln WTP From: "Chad Aakre" <chadaakre AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:29:54 -0000 Today on a lunchtime spin through the Lincoln Sewage Ponds, I had at least 2 Eurasian Wigeon among approximatley 1500 American Wigeon in the west ponds. Also in smaller numbers among the Wigeon were: Canvasback Lesser Scaup Green-winged Teal Northern Pintail Gadwall Mallard Bufflehead Ruddy Duck American Avocet Chad Aakre Granite Bay Placer CountySubject: Mountain Bluebird - Lake Camanche From: "Chad Aakre" <chadaakre AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:24:51 -0000 I observed 15 Mountain Bluebirds (with 4 Westerns) foraging in a grassy flat sheltered from the wind before the storm on Friday. The location was directly east from the Acampo Road and Cord Road Crossing which is south of Lake Camanche in San Joaquin County. It was right before the rains started and the wind sheltered valley had a lot of bird activity. In the same area were approximately 30 American Pipits, 2 Say's Phoebe, and very active Savannah Sparrows. Chad Aakre Granite Bay Placer CountySubject: Harlan's blitz continues, Solano Co., 1 March From: "zsgavilan71" <zsgavilan AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:13:03 -0000 Another light adult Harlan's Red-tailed hawk flew in front of the truck on my way home from work in Solano County today. Location is Salem Road about 1/4 mile north of Hastings (a short ways east of the east-west stretch of 113). Again, the bird was very skittish, allowing for poor photography. I got a perched shot, and I'll process it to see if it is worth posting. Another striking bird. Tail had streaks of red near the tip with white mottling/splatter against a dark grey/brown background on the basal half of the tail. Zach Smith Davis, Ca.Subject: Mokelumne Hatchery, Lake Camanche, Flood-Waverly From: Chris Conard <conardc AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 07:13:45 -0800 Folks, Yesterday, 28 Feb 2010, our Sacramento Audubon group visited the Mokelumne Hatchery, Lake Camanche (south), and Flood and Waverly Rds. Perhaps the best bird was one that got away. It was a sapsucker, juvenile-type, brownish washed with no hints of red. The view was to quick to make much of it as it flew across the river and out of view. It was working trees right along the river just downstream of the fish ladder/runway (where there is a gate for people to walk along the fish ladder/runway). We also refound the White-throated Sparrow (see directions in message below). No dipper, but there were perhaps 10 Lewis's Woodpeckers. Not much at Camanche besides two Bald Eagles. Flood and Waverly were a little slower than usual (only two Ferruginous Hawks) in some respects, but had two Golden Eagles and 1 to 3 Bald Eagles. A beautiful day to be out. On Sun, Jan 17, 2010 at 6:27 AM, Chris ConardSubject: sandhill cranes circling, soaring over paradise too! From: Dawn Garcia <mel.dawn AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:57:32 -0800 (PST) Must have been a great day to move because I was too hailed outside by the vocalizations of cranes overhead. We had 16 circling up and up for about five minutes before gliding out of the thermal heading north. Fantastic! Dawn Garica Paradise [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Davis Cinnamon X Blue-winged Teal male From: "John Sterling" <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:37:47 -0800 Just west of the landfill on County Road 28 north of Davis, there was a male Cinnamon X Blue-winged Teal this afternoon. I took some distant photos of it, cropped them and placed one on my website under Rare Cal. Birds. See www.sterlingbirds.smugmug.com John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com check out my photos at http://sterlingbirds.smugmug.com www.sterlingbirds.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: RE: Eurasian Wigeon pair at Davis WTP From: "John Sterling" <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:27:28 -0800 Still there today. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 cell 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com check out my photos at http://sterlingbirds.smugmug.com www.sterlingbirds.com From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Steve Hampton Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 9:07 PM To: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [CVBirds] Eurasian Wigeon pair at Davis WTP Today there were two pairs of wigeon on the middle pond at Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant, one Eurasian and one American. They allowed great views and great comparisons of the females, which were exactly as illustrated in Sibley. good birding, Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Sandhills over my Placerville-area home too! From: "Frank" <frankseverson AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:57:08 -0000 Ann Burris reported Sandhill Cranes flying over her West Sac home today. She said they never fly over her home except during migration. I'm north-east of Placerville, 60 miles east of her, and, like Ann, they only fly over our home during migration. And I just heard a flock of them, FOS! I never saw them, however; I'm in a dense forest of conifers and oaks. By the time I retrieved my binoculars, the cranes were east of me and I couldn't see them through the trees. Frank J. Severson Placerville CA 95667 11 miles north of Placerville, at 3000 feet elevation, in the Ponderosa Pine Belt El Dorado County Home: (530) 642-1787 Work: (916) 341-6259Subject: Sandhill Cranes From: "Ann" <naburris AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:48:17 -0000 11:40 this morning I saw of at least 60 Sandhill Cranes in the sky above my West Sac home. They were circling to gain altitude so I watched for quite a while. Looks like they are starting their northward journey since the only time I see them around here is when they are either coming or going. Ann Burris West SacramentoSubject: Eurasian Wigeon pair at Davis WTP From: "Steve Hampton" <shampton AT ospr.dfg.ca.gov> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:06:57 -0000 Today there were two pairs of wigeon on the middle pond at Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant, one Eurasian and one American. They allowed great views and great comparisons of the females, which were exactly as illustrated in Sibley. good birding, Steve Hampton Davis, CASubject: Re: Peregrine falcon - downtown Sacramento From: Chris Conard <conardc AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:12:01 -0800 There have been summer sightings of Peregrines in downtown Sacramento, but I have not heard of confirmed nesting in the city. The only breeding in Sacramento County that I am aware of is on the Antioch bridge (Sherman Island). I was told about this a number of years ago and don't know how recently they have nested there. I'd be interested to hear of any other records. One shouldn't infer too much from summer records in the county, especially away from the city, since Peregrines can be seen following shorebirds and waterfowl for much of the year. A late May/early June record would be most suggestive of nesting, and they could certainly follow the pigeon flocks downtown all year. Chris Conard Sacramento On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 4:06 PM, tbgl2003Subject: Feb 23-25, 2010 Hope Valley - dipper and more From: SallyWalters DonSchmoldt <bajaowl AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:11:06 -0800 On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, while snow shoeing (Don) and x/c skiing (Sally) in Hope Valley, Alpine County, along Willow Creek, a tributary to the West Fork of the Carson River just east of Hwy 89 before the junction to HWY 88 - we observed a dipper 5 different times as we meandered along the meandering creek. Also present were a pair of mallards, heard Cassin's finch, saw tracks of black bear, coyote or fox, crossing in and out of the creek; possible American martin, and chickaree tracks. Also really nice wing prints, possibly those of a Steller's Jay. Wed February 24th, up Forest Service road 019 to Burnside Lake (south of the junction of hwy 88 and 89, we saw Mt. Chickadee, brown creeper, Townsend's Solitaire, red-breasted nuthatch, raven, & robins. Cheers and good birding, Sally Walters and Don Schmoldt, Sacramento, Sacramento CountySubject: Southside Park, Sacramento birds persist From: Gil Ewing <gewing1 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:15:24 -0800 Saturday afternoon Louise McCullough and I were able to find the overwintering PLUMBEOUS VIREO and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER in Southside Park near downtown Sacramento. We did not find the Western tanager. The vireo was active in the spruce or fir conifers immediately east of the restroom building,which is east of the lake. The warbler was in the tall redwood next to the magnolias in the northeast part of the park. Gil Ewing Fair Oaks, Sacramento Co., CASubject: Rufous Red-tail with white patches Yolo Co From: "Adamson, Roger" <rhadamson AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:31:55 -0800 On Thursday Sami LaRocca and I watched a Rufous Red-tailed Hawk working on a prey item for several minutes. The bird was unusual in having some strikingly contrasting white patches on nape, throat and leg. I took some digiscoped images that turned out poorly, but have posted a few of them as a record. Images definitely for the birders, not the photographers! This bird was on Rd 14 in Yolo Co, just west of I-505 (about 5 miles west of Zamora), at the same location as the Harlan's Hawk I reported a couple days ago. In fact it was while we watched the Rufous RTHA that its response to the Harlan's flying over turned my attention to the Harlan's and prompted my running for the other camera. http://picasaweb.google.com/rha632 Good birding, Roger Adamson DavisSubject: Red-nape : ) / Plumbeous : ( From: "jaegermaestro" <jaegermaestro AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:43:52 -0000 At around 9:45 this morning I had the continuing RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER at 9 Bliss River Court in the Pocket. Didn't see the homeowner but the neighbors are very friendly and understanding. Was skunked for the second time on the Plumbeous Vireo at Southside Park, and a persistent leaf blower didn't make finding it any easier! Did however manage to spot the BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. Also at least two pairs of HOODED MERGANSERS continue at the Harbor Oaks Condo Pond off of Gateway Oaks Drive in Natomas. Dan Williams South NatomasSubject: Cattle Egrets in Rosemont area, Sac co. From: "naturestoc" <Naturestoc AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:22:23 -0000 Hi all, there were 50 or so Cattle Egrets at the Rancho Cordova Golf Course this morning. The golf course is located on Jackson highway just west of Bradshaw rd. Dan Brown, Sacramento, www.naturestoc.smugmug.comSubject: Sacramento County birds From: "John and Glennah Trochet" <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:14:04 -0800 Dear Birders, Yesterday I took a birder friend from the U.K. to places in southern and eastern Sacramento County. Highlights follow: 1200 white geese over the Barn Ponds at the Cosumnes River Preserve. We have not enjoyed such high numbers in the past. Dianna McDonnell, the preserve operations manager, said there had been 3,000 white geese on Lost Slough ponds (west of Franklin Blvd.) two nights earlier. one hideous goose hybrid, possibly Canada x Chinese, at Lost Slough East (north of Desmond Rd.) brown creeper- 1 at the Point on the Willow Slough Trail at Cosumnes. purple finch- 1 flyover at the Point. Lewis's woodpecker- 20- 25 distributed widely over the eastern county: Scott Road, Latrobe Road (seen from the second pool on the road as one goes east- an abandoned flooded GMC SUV advised us not to attempt a fording), Michigan Bar Road just north of the Cosumnes River. bald eagle- one adult flying upriver over the Michigan Bar Road bridge; another probable immature seen briefly at looooong distance at Latrobe Road. Brewer's whitebird- one in the company of Brewer's blackbirds at the junction of Stonehouse and Latrobe Roads, later joined by some red-winged blackbirds. This bird is not an albino, having dark eyes and legs, but the plumage in entirely white mixed with off-white. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: Merced county - 2/25/10 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:41:32 -0800 (PST) forgot to mention,
We also had ~70 CATTLE EGRETS in the fields around the Los banos airport.
DM
Subject: Merced county - 2/25/10From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:09:18 -0800 (PST) Spent the day birding at Medeiros/Unit, Billy Wright Road, Santa Fe Grade,
Merced NWR, Henry Miller Road, Gun Club Road and San Luis Creek Unit of O'neill
with Peter Metropulos today.
It was a day of raptors highlighted by:
DARK MORPH SWAINSON'S HAWK flying north over Merced NWR (noon)
2nd cycle BALD EAGLE at Gun Club Road (1:30 p.m.)
OSPREY at San Luis Creek Unit of O'neil Forebay ( seen feeding, later bathing
4-5 p.m.)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (3, 2 in orchards on Billy Wright Road, Gun ClubRd)
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (pair at Merced NWR, near entrance)
WHITE TAILED KITE (pair on Gun Club road)
(44) Red-tailed Hawks including a continuing from last month "mini" Red-tailed
Hawk in south Gustine
(22) Northern Harriers
(25) American Kestrels as well as
(7) Turkey Vultures
(26) Loggerhead Shrikes
Great Horned Owl at Merced NWR
In a pond along Henry Miller Road we had (5) LESSER YELLOWLEGS
(1030) Black-bellied Plovers, were at Merced NWR. (3)"Dark" Snow Geese in with
thousands of Ross's and Snows that were periodically flushed from fields north
of the refuge.
The sparrow flock near the refuge entrance had (3) Lincoln's and a Fox Sparrow,
House Wren and Orange-crowned Warbler in with Crowned-sparrows.
We ended the day scanning the gulls (mostly Ring-billed with a 80-100+
Bonaparte's and almost no California or Herring) as they came in to bathe/drink
in O'Neill Forebay on the back side of the San Luis Creek entrance road. Peter
got on an adult WESTERN GULL a couple of times that I missed. He mentioned this
may be the same Western Gull that has been returning to this area for 5+ years.
Dominik Mosur
San Francisco
Subject: Another Harlan's Red-tail for good measure!! Yolo Co.From: "Adamson, Roger" <rhadamson AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:04:45 -0800 Sami LaRocca and I found another dark morph adult Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk today on Rd 14 just west of I-505 in Yolo Co. I placed a few photos in my web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/rha632/HarlanSHawk022510 Photos are not the best, but good enough. We also had a very interesting Rufous morph Red-tail with some white markings--will post those later. Several Golden Eagles near Rd 86/Rd 16 area. Mountain Bluebirds on Rd 85 south of Rd 16 near where they have been previously reported. Roger Adamson DavisSubject: Yet another Harlan's Red-tailed hawk, Solano Co, 25 Feb From: "zsgavilan71" <zsgavilan AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:02:04 -0000 On my way home from work today, I found a dark adult Harlan's Red-tailed hawk south of Davis. Bird was seen on Sikes Rd about .25 miles south of Tremont. A very skittish and wary bird, this individual has a dark brown/black belly and a white-mottled upper breast. The tail is not terribly striking (thick dark subterminal band and brownish/grey with whitish flecking on the basal 2/3). Also had a female Rough-legged hawk in the Jepson Prairie area. first for me in this area this winter...finally. Zach Smith Davis, Ca.Subject: Plumbeous Vireo - NO, Western Tanager and Red-naped Sapsucker - YEA!! From: "naturestoc" <Naturestoc AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:05:12 -0000 Hi all. No luck with the Plumbeous Vireo at Southside Park today but I was able to see the female Western Tanager in the NW corner. The Red-naped Sapsucker continues at 9 Bliss ct, Sacramento today. I've posted a photo of the bird at the link below - http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/Nature/Calbirding-2010-big-bird-photo/10973419_nnFku#797023563_fzxoN BTW, the above gallery contains my efforts to date participating in a friendly contest going on over at "Calbirding", a Yahoo group for California bird photographers. We are competing to see who can photograph the highest number of bird species in 2010! The only rule is that the bird be identifiable in the picture. We are on our honor! My total as of today is 175. Dan Brown, Sacramento, www.naturestoc.smugmug.comSubject: Peregrine falcon - downtown Sacramento From: "tbgl2003" <hoakes AT jsanet.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:06:00 -0000 A peregrine falcon has been seen almost daily in Sacramento over the past week. It was first observed by Kristin Teddy. Today the bird was spotted sitting on the radio tower of the county jail (7th & I Streets). It was there for several hours today. It has been observed at this location several times as well as circling the federal courthouse near 5th & I. Have peregrine's nested in Sacramento recently? Harry Oakes SacramentoSubject: Mountain Bluebirds in Amador and Sacramento Counties From: ERPFROMCA AT AOL.COM Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:33:02 EST Today, Heath Wakelee and I found 27 Mountain Bluebirds along the south side of Michigan Bar Rd about 3.3 miles north of Hwy 104 in Amador County and a smaller flock in Sacramento County along Hwy 104 just east of the Rancho Seco cooling towers Ed Pandolfino Carmichael, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: hammond's fly Yolo Co From: "Adamson, Roger" <rhadamson AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:08:30 -0800 Hi All, Many thanks to Denise and David Hamilton for pointing out the Hammond's Flycatcher to me on "lunch hour" today. The bird was resting down in the channel out of the wind (about 100m west of F St.). We had great looks at it, a common bird here in migration, but a great find for winter--congrats to Chris Dunford for finding this on Jan 2! Everyone still happy that this is a Hammond's (I am no expert on this group!)? Several new images posted to my picasa web site: http://picasaweb.google.com/rha632/HammondSFly022210 Roger Adamson DavisSubject: Mew Gull, Folsom Lake (Placer) From: "Ron Pozzi" <rpozzi AT surewest.net> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:54:50 -0000 February 22, 2010 Greetings Birders, Today at 4:45 pm an adult MEW GULL was observed in association with approximately 800+ California gulls and a few herring gulls on a small offshore island at Folsom Lake. This island was completely covered with birds and picking out the mew gull took about 45 minutes. To get to this area of the lake, enter at the Granite Bay entrance and head past the main boat ramp areas to the lake edge. Good Birding. Ron Pozzi Granite Bay, CASubject: Long-eared owl No, Hammond's Fly Yes From: "Denise and David Hamilton" <napabirders AT att.net> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:44:27 -0800 Hi all, Following the great directions from the previous posts, went in search of the Long-eared Owl today at Grasslands Park. We went AM and again in the afternoon. After MUCH searching (Owl neck is as bad as warbler neck!) we did not see the LE Owl, but there were 2 roosting Barn Owls in the tree. In the parking lot was a flock of over 12 Lark Sparrows. In the afternoon found an Orange-crowned Warbler working in the shrubs along the fenced in area right by the parking lot. Also saw a beautiful intergrade N. Flicker- face color like Yellow-shafted, included the red patch on the crown, but the malar stripes were a mix of red and black. When the bird flew, the shafts were a bit on the orangey side. Got to the Hammond's Flycatcher site around 12:45 pm. The wind was blowing a bit strong, so the row of redwoods made an excellent wind block, and the flycatcher was found in the ditch across from the redwoods. Lots of preening and then finally fly-catching. Met Roger A. out there with his great long lense- will need to compare his pics with our much smaller lense! Made a quick drive around the Davis wetlands- hardly a thing! Plenty of gulls on the dike of the sewage ponds, but did not want to scope them in the strong wind right in the face. Best birding, Denise and David Hamilton Napa [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Plumbeous Vireo, Southside Park (still there) From: "Daniel Burmester" <DBURMESTER AT dfg.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:58:13 -0800 Hi, Today (2/22) I observed the Plumbeous Vireo at the NE corner of Southside Park foraging in the large redwood tree and among the adjacent large magnolias. I looked last week and was unable to locate it, but I did see a Black-throated Gray Warbler (2/17) in the very same redwood tree. These may be the very same birds that were reported on 2/11 and 2/16 respectively. Daniel Burmester SacramentoSubject: Sunday- Yellow Headed Blackbirds at Merced NWF From: Lisa <lisa AT letsgobirding.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:56:16 -0800 (PST) I was back at the Merced NWR on Sunday despite the rain. Had a groupfrom Palo Alto's,"Environmental Volunteers"there to experience nature in all its glory, including the rain. While on the first platform at the entrance we found three male YELLOW HEADED BLACKBIRDS in with the mixed flock of Red-Wing and Tri-Colors. This was a very large flock moving about in the "tules" and the bright yellow would be obvious and then disappear and re-appear again. Lisa Myers Campbell, CA. I invite you to come on out & spend time in nature! www.LetsGoBirding.com 408-656-7524 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Owls From: "Jerred" <jerredgunn AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:01:54 -0000 I have a friend coming from out of town who wants to see some owls. Have any been spotted recently, and where should we look? Jerred Gunn SacramentoSubject: Question re flock of Western Meadowlarks From: "yolobirder" <gordon.lane AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:29:29 -0000 Wednesday morning around sunrise I observed a flock of over 100 Western Meadowlarks feeding on a gravel plain next to Buckeye Creek in Yolo County, south of Road 2 and 2.5 miles west of I5. Being a less than advanced birder I have to admit I've never seen a flock that large - is that common in the Sacramento Valley in winter? Gordon Lane Woodland, CASubject: FOS swallows - the route they take. From: "williamscotthuber" <greatscottwhatarealtor AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:36:37 -0000 I was excited to see all of yesterdays FOS swallow posts, I was reminded of the massive mixed species migration I witnessed last year. I was doing bird surveys near Salton City February 18-20 of 2009, staying right on the west shore of the Salton Sea. Each morning as we were packing the vehicle for the day, thousands of tree, cliff, violet-green and northern rough-winged swallows streamed from over the water from a south-easterly direction on a mission toward the north-west. Interesting that the date of this phenomena occured so close to the date that these species are being seen for the first time this season. I'm wondering if these birds stream northward in a wide band or if the Salton Sea is part of a concentrated migration route that eventually brings them into the Central Valley? Bird well, Scott Huber Forest Ranch, Ca.Subject: Mokelumne River, Flood Waverly, Woodbridge Rd. From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:24:17 -0800 All, I led my Palo Alto Adult School birding class to several CV locations yesterday. Highlights were many but the end-of-day dark-morph Swainson's Hawk was the most exciting: Mokelumne River Fish Installation: 14 Common Merganser 12 Wood Duck 1 Osprey 1 Merlin 6 Lewis's Woodpecker 1 House Wren 1 Purple Finch 1 Phainopepla Lark Sparrow Fox Sparrow (Sooty and Slate-colored) Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon and Slate-colored) Flood and Waverly: 5-6 Ferruginous Hawk 2 Bald Eagle 2 Prairie Falcon 100s Long-billed Curlew 1 Loggerhead Shrike 12 Mountain Bluebird Staten Island Road: 100s Tundra Swans 100s Ross's and Snow Geese 1 Wilson's Snipe Woodbridge Road: 100s Sandhill Cranes 1 Swainson's Hawk (dark morph) 1 Wilson's Snipe . . . Matthew Dodder Mountain View, CA http://www.birdguy.net http://www.zazzle.com/mdodder [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Merced NWR on Saturday From: Lisa <lisa AT letsgobirding.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:47:19 -0800 (PST) Our group of eager birders from the, Los Gatos Birdwatcher, formerly the Wild Bird Center, had a wonderful day at the Merced NWR on Saturday. En route from the South Bay we stopped at the ROMERO OVERLOOK. Down from the parking lot on the east side we found a single FOS NORTHERN ROUGH WINGED SWALLOW. Also present was a WHITE Yellow-Rumped Warbler. This bright white bird was easy to spot. Theyellow wash on the rumpand behavior helpedmake the ID. Moving on,a pair of RED-TAIL HAWKS were building a nest on top of the water tower at the corner of Turner Island Road and Henry Miller. Approaching the entrance to the Merced NWR from Sandy Mush Road we stopped for a large flock of SANDHILL CRANES. They were gathered in a field very close to the road. A COOPER'S HAWK and a pair of FERRUGINOUS HAWKS were also present in this area. Once in the refuge we encountered large flocks of cranes and ROSS'S GEESE. There were onlya few SNOW GEESE. We were successful in finding both a Blue Morph Ross's and Blue Morph Snow Goose amongstone largeChen flock. We observed many TREE SWALLOWS but also had a few FOS VIOLET GREEN SWALLOWS over the entrance platform. Several hundred BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS remain at the refuge and were easy to observe from the Bittern Trail platform. Theywere impressive to watchas theylifted several timesleaving the DUNLINS behind, but the plovers always returned backtotheir original starting point. The MARSH WRENS were singing their brains out and some AMERICAN AVOCETSwere showingbreeding plumage. Apair of RED-TAIL HAWKS was nest building in the trees that line the entrance road and were easy to view as you ended the auto tour. Also found three GREAT HORNED OWLS throughout the day all visible from the auto tour. Northern Harriers were in abundance along with the Red-Tail Hawks but we never spotted the reported Swainson's, but we did spot a TED CHANDICK amongst the birders and that's always a nice find! On the way home, traveling west on Pacheco Pass an ADULT BALD EAGLE flew over the roadas it flewtoward the San Luis Reservoir. Lisa Myers Campbell, CA. I invite you to come on out & spend time in nature! www.LetsGoBirding.com 408-656-7524 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |