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17 Jun riparian birding- addenda [John and Glennah Trochet ] 17 Jun Re: Nesting Rock Wren in Folsom, correction and request [Dan Airola ] 17 Jun riparian birding near Sacramento in the last week [John and Glennah Trochet ] 16 Jun Putah Creek [Manfred Kusch ] 16 Jun yellow-billed cuckoo (Glenn County) 6/15/13 ["Kirn, Shelly" ] 16 Jun CVBC FIELD TRIP: A Cuckoo Search along the Sacramento River, July 13. [Frances Oliver ] 16 Jun CVBC Field Trip: A Cuckoo Search along the Sacramento River, Saturday July 13, 2013 [Frances Oliver ] 15 Jun Nesting Rock Wren in Folsom, [] 15 Jun Beverly Brock [Beverly Brock ] 14 Jun Lesser Nighthawks in Capay, Yolo County ["Sami" ] 12 Jun Yuba Co. Tricolored Blackbird Colony [Kathryn Parker ] 11 Jun Sacramento Audubon Society Farallon Islands Pelagic Trip July 14, 2013 ["drsgmule" ] 11 Jun Spotted Dove & Common Ground-Dove [Bob Barnes ] 11 Jun Black-and-white Warbler in Butte Co. [BRUCE DEUEL ] 11 Jun Grasshopper Sparrows in Putah Creek Sinks ["Andy Engilis, Jr." ] 11 Jun Bird rescue ["Ray Rozema" ] 10 Jun recent Putah Creek and Cosumnes birds; upcoming Tall Forest survey ["John and Glennah Trochet" ] 9 Jun Prairie Falcon, Yolo county ["W.L. Rockey" ] 9 Jun Re: Putah Creek Gray Catbird 6/12 [John Sterling ] 09 Jun Re: Putah Creek Gray Catbird 6/12 ["M" ] 09 Jun Putah Creek Gray Catbird 6/12 ["M" ] 8 Jun This morning's River Walk @ Cosumne River Preserve [] 7 Jun warbling vireo ["Perrone, Michael AT DWR" ] 6 Jun Cosumnes and Putah Creek birds the last few days ["John and Glennah Trochet" ] 6 Jun migrants in Davis ["Perrone, Michael AT DWR" ] 6 Jun Sacramento River - Red Bluff to Woodson Bridge [Ron Melcer ] 06 Jun Join YAS on overnight to Snow Mountain ["Sami" ] 4 Jun Davis migrants ["Perrone, Michael AT DWR" ] 03 Jun "white" turkey ["sglarson2000" ] 01 Jun Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker - Solved! ["whzerd1" ] 28 May Re: Need ID help please. Pipit? Thanks everyone! ["skywater" ] 01 Jun Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker #2 ["whzerd1" ] 31 May CVBC field trip to Electra Rd, AMA Co. 5/29 [Frances Oliver ] 31 May Re: Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker ["Bruce Cousens & Charlene Lee \(PuMa Coord.\)" ] 31 May Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker ["whzerd1" ] 30 May Butte County Big Day -- 25 May 2013 ["memuchowski" ] 30 May Amador County - Wednesday, 5/29 ["Leslie Flint" ] 28 May Re: Re: Need ID help please. Pipit? [Bruce Webb ] 28 May Re: Re: Need ID help please. Pipit? [Steve Hampton ] 28 May Re: Need ID help please. Pipit? ["drsgmule" ] 28 May Need ID help please. Pipit? ["skywater" ] 26 May lost Summer Tanager, Yuba/Butte County ["Brian Williams" ] 25 May Brant in Merced County [kent Van Vuren ] 25 May CRP continuing late geese ["John and Glennah Trochet" ] 25 May Brant Merced [John Sterling ] 25 May Tricolored blackbirds fledging at El Dorado Hills ["skywater" ] 24 May Dusky-Capped Flycatcher at Davis Wetlands ["rubys_oograah" ] 24 May Western tanager in south Davis (Yolo County) [Sylvia Wright ] 23 May RE: chat still at Sac Bypass ["Todd Easterla" ] 23 May Merced, Stanislaus & San Joaquin Cos. 23 May 13 [Kathryn Parker ] 23 May last year's Red-thr. Loon info needed [John Sterling ] 23 May still there now Re: Brant In Merced County [John Sterling ] 23 May chat still at Sac Bypass [Steve Hampton ] 22 May Brant In Merced County [kent Van Vuren ] 23 May White Pelican Yolo Bypass ["szafrica77" ] 22 May Re: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve ["skywater" ] 22 May Paradise Cut Yellow-breasted Chats [Ron Melcer ] 22 May Cosumnes MapRE: Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 ["Jann Dorothy" ] 22 May Putah Creek migrants and breeders [Manfred Kusch ] 21 May Bald eagles [Ray Rozema ] 21 May north Davis birds [Steve Hampton ] 21 May Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 [John and Glennah Trochet ] 21 May Chat - American River, Bannister Park ["Sally M. Walters" ] 21 May Re: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve ["drsgmule" ] 21 May Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve ["Andy Engilis, Jr." ] 21 May Placer Co. 20 May 13 Soda Springs Rd. closed [Kathryn Parker ] 20 May Merced Co. 5/20/13 [Dominik Mosur ] 20 May Re: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy [John Sterling ] 20 May siskins ["Perrone, Michael AT DWR" ] 20 May Rose Breasted Grosbeak ["jonetaylor" ] 19 May Re: Swainson's Hawk? [Steve Hampton ] 19 May Swainson's Hawk? ["jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net" ] 18 May Del Puerto Canyon / San Antonio Valley [Matthew Dodder ] 18 May COSUMNES BIRDS- 18 MAY 2013 ["John and Glennah Trochet" ] 18 May Bank Swallows, Sheridan (Placer) ["Ron Pozzi" ] 17 May Swainson's Hawks on Hwy. 105 [Jeanine McElwain ] Subject: riparian birding- addenda From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:40:09 -0700 Dear Birders, I should also have mentioned in my earlier note that I found a hen hooded merganser with three fully grown young at Valensin Ranch yesterday, the adult distinguishable mainly by her more bouffant hairdo. This was the same site where Andy Engilis found a hen with seven young a few weeks ago. Also yesterday at the Cosumnes River Preserve, there were one adult snow goose, a pair of American wigeon, one northern pintail and one green-winged teal on the pond on the south side of Desmond Road just east of the railroad tracks. At the Visitor Center yesterday, I excitedly called attention to a singing Hutton's vireo to the volunteer naturalists manning the information desk, since this species is rather hard to come by away from the Tall Forest and Orr Forest. But I had been faked out. One of the volunteers had played a recording of the song. Not quite the same as the gags Ed Harper and Jeri Langham played on one another years ago, but it brought a smile to my face as I was reminded of those episodes. I hope Ed and/or Jeri will share the whole story with CV Birders, since the story is theirs to tell and I might not know/recall all the details. Best, John Trochet -- John Trochet Sacramento, California trochetj AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Nesting Rock Wren in Folsom, correction and request From: Dan Airola <d.airola AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:03:39 -0700 (PDT) I don't know if the street signs were turned or I was, but the nest is on Caversham Way, just uphill from Serpa Way.  My previous message switched the street names.  If anyone goes out to the site, please take a picture and send it to me.  Since there are relatively few nests documented in the Central Valley, we may publish a picture in the Central Valley Bird Club Bulletin.  Thanks.   Dan Airola Sacramento ________________________________ From: "d.airola AT sbcglobal.net" To: "central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com" Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 10:39 AM Subject: [CVBirds] Nesting Rock Wren in Folsom,   I found a Rock Wren feeding vocal young in the Empire Ranch area of Folsom, Sacramento Co this morning. The nest is in a tall rock wall on Serpa Way about 30 yards uphill of the junction with Caversham Way (just off Broadstone Parkway). Interestingly, despite the abundance of natural crevices, the nest is in a drilled hole in the face of a rock. The 2.5-3.5" diameter hole is about 30" above the sidewalk, and easily visible from the road. There are many similar walls in the area - so perhaps more pairs? Dan Airola Sacramento Sent from Yahoo! Mail for iPhone [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: riparian birding near Sacramento in the last week From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:25:19 -0700 Dear Birders, Between breeding bird atlassing and point count surveys along Putah Creek, transect surveys there and at the Cosumnes River Preserve, and the recent Tall Forest bird survey, I've been out almost everry day of the last week looking for birds. I found nothing of great moment, but there were birds of modest interest most days. Monday 10 June on private property upstream from Winters I reconfirmed Melanie Truan's finding of nesting brown creepers. She'd seen nest building a few weeks ago. This day I saw multiple food carries. A Pacific-slope flycatcher seemed to be singing on territory. I also found a warbling vireo and two western tanagers. Wednesday 12 June on private property downstream of Stevenson's Bridge on Putah Creek there were two western tanagers and a western wood-pewee. At Winters Putah Creek Park I had a yellow warbler and willow flycatcher. The singing warbling vireo of the previous week was not to be found. Thursday 13 June on private property below I-505 on Putah Creek there was a singing western tanager. I tried unsuccessfully for the gray catbird below the Pedrick Road bridge, where it had been reported four or five days earlier. Friday 14 June in the vicinity of the Tall Forest at the Cosumnes River Preserve, I did a bit of scouting for the survey the next day. I found willow flycatcher, two Pacific-slope flyctchers, a common raven, and Oregon junco and three blue grosbeaks, the last all singing well before dawn and undetected after sunrise. Saturday 15 June was this month's Tall Forest bird survey. It was seasonably slow, with much reduced singing activity after sunrise. We started with a bracing 36 degrees at the Accidental Forest, near which we found a pair of orange-crowned warblers, the male singing. We also found one each of Pacific-slope flycatcher, Hutton's vireo, Oregon junco and blue grosbeak. We found lots of western wood-pewees, Bullock's orioles, and black-headed grosbeaks, with MANY fledgling song sparrows and spotted towhees and NO juvenile brown-headed cowbirds. The increasing lack of edge around the Tall Forest has, I think, made for poorer birding, but it has certainly lessened the apparent impact of cowbird brood parasitism in that grove. Sunday 16 June I did a transect survey at lower Badger Creek at Cosumnes, part of Valensin Ranch. A singing warbling vireo was of interest. I doubt I will have the opportunity to follow that up. I then visited the River Walk, the seriously underbirded public trail at the preserve. There was a singing Pacific-slope flycatcher at the Point and fledgling western bluebirds nearby. Be careful of ticks at the preserve this season. They seem to be much more numerous than in my previous experience there. Perhaps the presence of herds of grazers/browsers brought in for weed control, even around the public trails, has something to do with this. In the last two weeks I have twice encountered red foxes at Winters Putah Creek Park, near the construction pond in the middle of the park. I have learned that DNA analysis of scats has determined these animals to be of the native race. Best, John Trochet -- John Trochet Sacramento, California trochetj AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Putah Creek From: Manfred Kusch <makusch AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:38:03 -0700 Along the creek, downstream from Stevenson Bridge between Winters and Davis, and in my adjacent garden and native grass area, breeding activity is slowing down but by no means over. The twin chicks in the two Red-tailed Hawk nests near my house have fledged, and I encounter one or two of them occasionally in the vicinity of their nests. The Red-shouldered Hawks on the other side of the creek seem to have fledged, too, judging from the insistent calling. All Wood Duck nest boxes are empty now, one clutch of 13 eggs was abandoned, the other 7 boxes produced 10-15 ducklings each. One duckling was decapitated on its way to the water, presumably by my special friends the Scrub jays. Given the late start of Wood Duck breeding activity around here this year I do not expect any second broods. Three pairs of Western Bluebirds fledged their first sets of 5 chicks each and two pairs undertook a second brood, one of them ready to fledge today, the other probably needing still another week. Five pairs of Tree Swallows fledged from their respective boxes in my garden, others from natural cavities, mostly in cottonwoods, down by the creek. An Ash-throated Flycatcher still occupies one of my nest boxes with 4 chicks close to fledging. At least three other pairs are nesting along the creek along the trail I walk most days. Several families of Bushtits are circulating through the neighborhood. One pair built their nest in a clump of mistletoe in my garden. The Black Phoebe has been using its "permanent" mud nest on the gable of my garden shed for the third year now and its second brood set of four chicks is ready to leave the nest. The number of Barn Swallow nests is down this year, from 13 last year to 8 so far this year (much to our relief!). As far as I can tell, 6 of them have produced sets of four chicks and the young of a pair nesting on our back porch are sitting on the edge of their nest ready to go. The pair nesting in our garage is already busy with their second brood. House Finch nests are too numerous to count, built in any nook and cranny, palm trees, sycamores, silk trees, and fruit trees. They are having a banner year, as are the Mourning Doves who have nests everywhere and are constantly building new ones. I am sure there are more than 20 nests in my garden and vicinity, many of them used more than once. Their melancholy, beautiful cooing intermixed with the more forceful cooing of the several pairs of Eurasian Collared Doves nesting in my garden produces a rich and peaceful concert early in the morning while I doze along, still half asleep. Northern Mockingbirds, too, seem to be more numerous and productive than ever. So far I have found 7 nests in my garden, and at least 3 close to my garden on my brother-in-law's property next door. Of these 10 nests, 4 are second brood nests which are started within days of the chicks leaving their first brood nests. I am quite sure there are additional nests. California Towhees have nested in my garden every year for many years and again this year, but this is the first year that I have found a Spotted Towhee nest. I observed the female building it rather frantically about 4 feet up in a large rose bush in front of our house. She would hop rather quickly about, picking up large pieces, strips of bark and haul them into the rose bush, returning only seconds later for more, all the while being shadowed by the attentive male who was picking up little bits and pieces in a show of solidarity only to drop them again. The nest was finished in 2 days and now holds three eggs. I suspect it is a second brood nest since this pair of towhees sounded the alarm earlier whenever I came close to a certain area. American Robins have built many nests, as usual, and are still adding new ones after having fledged their first broods. Western Kingbirds are nesting not only on the lower bracket of the transformer next door, but also in two of my palm trees, high in a eucalyptus and in a sycamore. One pair started nests in three different locations before settling down for good on a stub of of a dead leaf base on one of my washingtonia palms. Black-headed Grosbeaks built at least 6 nests in my garden of which 4 were successful, one was abandoned before it was occupied and then taken over by a Mourning Dove, another fell victim to predation. I suspect there are at least two second brood attempts under way judging from the renewed singing of two males. Today, a female hauled a bill full of grape jelly to either a fledgling or to a nest undiscovered by me. Bullock's Orioles are now on their second broods both in my garden and along the creek where I encounter fledglings regularly. As noted earlier, Hooded Orioles are still increasing in numbers and are approaching colony status. I suspect that my garden holds the highest concentration of Hood Orioles of this region. There are at least 10 males present, some of them first year individuals in various stages of coloration. The first burst of nest building produced at least 8 active nests and there may have been others I could not easily see. Interestingly, once these first nests were built (during the second half of April/ first days of May) additional nest building stopped almost entirely, in contrast to earlier years when new nest building was almost constant throughout the breeding season. I theorize that this pattern is a function of cowbird abundance or scarcity. I have long suspected that Hooded Orioles abandon nests that are parasitized by cowbirds, although not always, since I have seen Hooded Orioles feed fledgling cowbirds on several occasions.This year, Brown-headed Cowbirds have been extremely scarce around my place and on many days I do not see any, not even at my seed feeder where they were frequent visitors in the past. Perhaps for this reason, female Hooded Orioles stuck with their initial nests this year and only after their first brood chicks had fledged, nest building started over again in earnest. I am sure there are by now over 20 nests, although I have given up looking for them. But when I do check a few palm trees, I invariably find new ones. It is puzzling why this growing population of Hooded Orioles has not spread out more into gardens of my neighbors, especially the garden of one streamside neighbor only a quarter of a mile away who has a large grove of over 30 mature and many younger washingtonia palms but has never had any Hooded Orioles nesting. Among many Anna's and Black-chinned Hummingbirds in my garden and along the creek, no Allen's yet who should show up around this time. But I did finally find the nest of a Black-chinned hummer on a thin branch of a valley oak sapling about 3feet above a blackberry thicket at the edge of the creek. The female built it last week and is now sitting on it. And talking about nests, I was surprised last week when I came to the upstream end of my trail where is climbs out of the creek channel up to my neighbor's gravel driveway to find a Red-eared Slider turtle who had dug a nest in bone dry soil next to the driveway and was in the process of depositing eggs, just like in a National Geographic documentary about nesting sea turtles on the beach. I could see only 4 or five eggs but there were probably more. The most amazing part of this rare (for me!) scene was that the turtle must have somehow transported a relatively large amount of water up to this spot, which is about 120 ft from the nearest water, because the soil was thoroughly wetted and even muddy, thus making it possible for the turtle to dig a hole about 6 inches deep in soil so dry it would be impossible to drive a spade into it. Does anybody know how this works? When I returned with my camera, the turtle had finished her business and was covering the eggs. It then unhesitatingly headed back to the creek below. Manfred Kusch Davis/Winters makusch AT ucdavis.edu 707-678-1027 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: yellow-billed cuckoo (Glenn County) 6/15/13 From: "Kirn, Shelly" <sakirn AT csuchico.edu> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:11:01 -0700 CV Birders, While on our way out of town yesterday at 9:30am (6/15/13) for Father's Day activities, Jay Bogiatto and I observed a yellow-billed cuckoo fly across the road from south to north, directly in front of our car, at the east end of the Butte City Bridge. It appeared to be carrying a large insect (or some other food item). Cheers, Shelly Kirn Butte County ------------------------------------ Subject: CVBC FIELD TRIP: A Cuckoo Search along the Sacramento River, July 13. From: Frances Oliver <hummer52ffo AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:07:10 -0700 (PDT) CVBC members, On Saturday July 13, 2013, the Central  Valley Bird Club (CVBC) is offering a Yellow-billed Cuckoo search along the  Sacramento River. This trip is part of the series of county-focused trips in the  Central Valley/or  neighboring foothill counties.  It is free (*) to CVBC members.    Many birders are pleasantly surprised to learn that a small  remnant population of Yellow-billed Cuckoos resides seasonally along the Sacramento River between Colusa and Red Bluff. Join Scott Huber of Altacal  Audubon Society on a cuckoo search of the river units of the Sacramento National  Wildlife Refuge Complex. The western or California subspecies of Yellow-billed  Cuckoos is on the state endangered species list based on a continually declining  population, likely due to riparian habitat loss. Large riparian reforestation  efforts along this stretch of river hold promise for the future of the bird’s  status in the north state. In addition to a potential cuckoo sighting we’ll be  treated to a number of colorful neotrops and interesting residents including  Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak and  numerous others. For more information on the western Yellow-billed Cuckoos  please see http://www.prbo.org/cms/docs/terre/YBCU2012_annual_report_final.pdf Plan to meet Scott at 8 AM at the Chico Park-n-Ride.  Prepare for hot weather with appropriate clothing, sunscreen and water. We will return to the Park-n-Ride at 1 PM 15 person maximum. For any questions/or to  reserve a spot contact Scott at whuber AT csuchico.edu   Directions to the Chico Park &  Ride: take Highway 99 to the Highway 32 exit, turn right onto Highway  32 then a quick left onto E. 8th St., go 100 ft. and turn left again  into the Park-n-Ride lot.   * If you attended the last  Symposium, your registration fees cover your annual membership. We won’t be  checking your membership, but strongly encourage you to join and support the Central Valley Bird Club and its programs, which include the Bulletin, the Symposium, the Youth Scholarship and an expanding young birder program, field  trips, this list serve, support for citizen science, conservation and more: http://cvbirds.org/membership.htm   Frances (CVBC Membership Secretary) Lodi, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: CVBC Field Trip: A Cuckoo Search along the Sacramento River, Saturday July 13, 2013 From: Frances Oliver <hummer52ffo AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:58:43 -0700 (PDT) CVBC members, On Saturday July 13, 2013, the Central Valley Bird Club (CVBC) is offering a Yellow-billed Cuckoo search along the Sacramento River. This trip is part of the series of county-focused trips in the Central Valley/or neighboring foothill counties.  It is free (*) to CVBC members.   Many birders are pleasantly surprised to learn that a small remnant population of Yellow-billed Cuckoos resides seasonally along the Sacramento River between Colusa and Red Bluff. Join Scott Huber of Altacal Audubon Society on a cuckoo search of the river units of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The western or California subspecies of Yellow-billed Cuckoos is on the state endangered species list based on a continually declining population, likely due to riparian habitat loss. Large riparian reforestation efforts along this stretch of river hold promise for the future of the bird’s status in the north state. In addition to a potential cuckoo sighting we’ll be treated to a number of colorful neotrops and interesting residents including Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak and numerous others. For more information on the western Yellow-billed Cuckoos please see http://www.prbo.org/cms/docs/terre/YBCU2012_annual_report_final.pdf Plan to meet Scott at 8 AM at the Chico Park-n-Ride. Prepare for hot weather with appropriate clothing, sunscreen and water. We will return to the Park-n-Ride at 1 PM 15 person maximum. For any questions/or to reserve a spot contact Scott at whuber AT csuchico.edu   Directions to the Chico Park & Ride: take Highway 99 to the Highway 32 exit, turn right onto Highway 32 then a quick left onto E. 8th St., go 100 ft. and turn left again into the Park-n-Ride lot.   * If you attended the last Symposium, your registration fees cover your annual membership. We won’t be checking your membership, but strongly encourage you to join and support the Central Valley Bird Club and its programs, which include the Bulletin, the Symposium, the Youth Scholarship and an expanding young birder program, field trips, this list serve, support for citizen science, conservation and more: http://cvbirds.org/membership.htm   Frances (CVBC Membership Secretary) Lodi, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Nesting Rock Wren in Folsom, From: d.airola AT sbcglobal.net Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 10:39:09 -0700 (PDT) I found a Rock Wren feeding vocal young in the Empire Ranch area of Folsom, Sacramento Co this morning. The nest is in a tall rock wall on Serpa Way about 30 yards uphill of the junction with Caversham Way (just off Broadstone Parkway). Interestingly, despite the abundance of natural crevices, the nest is in a drilled hole in the face of a rock. The 2.5-3.5" diameter hole is about 30" above the sidewalk, and easily visible from the road. There are many similar walls in the area - so perhaps more pairs? Dan Airola Sacramento Sent from Yahoo! Mail for iPhone [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Beverly Brock From: Beverly Brock <brockbeverly44 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 09:47:20 -0700 (PDT) bocz http://www.prioritykiosks.com/smsrg/ksorhjslekt/jfsggujo.htm Beverly Brock skwz [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Lesser Nighthawks in Capay, Yolo County From: "Sami" <sami182 AT wavecable.com> Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:04:16 -0000 Two friends and I had a wonderful adventure experiencing LENI near bridge and CR 85 just north of Capay (off Hwy 16). Northeast after crossing Cache Creek is a small park. You can see them flying over the creek and east of the metal ramp.[extreme south side of parking lot] We were watching the nighthawks, total of seven, from 8:15 pm until 8:45. After that they seemed to disperse. We were able to heard the trilling song and watch as them chatted with one another when in close contact. Sami LaRocca Woodland, CA 530 666-7105 ------------------------------------ Subject: Yuba Co. Tricolored Blackbird Colony From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:29:06 -0700 Yesterday I came across a good sized TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD colony in Yuba Co. They are using a large blackberry hedge behind the house at 2330 Hallwood, east of Marysville. They are shuttling across Hallwood to the rice fields to feed. Kathy Parker Los Gatos ------------------------------------ Subject: Sacramento Audubon Society Farallon Islands Pelagic Trip July 14, 2013 From: "drsgmule" <pittmanl AT frontiernet.net> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:16:31 -0000 There are still a few openings for the July 14 Sacramento Audubon Society (SAS) sponsored trip off the coast of San Francisco to the Farallon Islands. This is a great opportunity to look for rarities such as the Northern Gannet that been seen again at Southeast Farallon Island this spring! Reservations must be made by June 15. For more details, see http://www.sacramentoaudubon.org/farallonislandstrip.html or contact me offlist. Linda Pittman Wilton, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Spotted Dove & Common Ground-Dove From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes AT lightspeed.net> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:09:27 -0700 Hi, I birded the San Joaquin Valley side of Kern County this past Saturday, June 8, 2013, and Monday, June 10, 2013. HIGHLIGHTS for central-valley-birds listserv subscribers may have been: * the two countable SPOTTED DOVES found in 65 degrees Fahrenheit temperature in Beale Park in Bakersfield just before 7:50am, yesterday, Monday, June 10, 2013. Several individuals in the large Bakersfield population of the currently non-countable ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET are year round residents in the Beale Park neighborhood, too. * the three COMMON GROUND-DOVES found in 104 degrees Fahrenheit temperature in the vicinity of the Orange Grove RV Park off Edison Rd just south of CA Hwy 58 east of Bakersfield just after 12.25pm this past Saturday, June 8, 2013. * the three COMMON GROUND-DOVES observed in 62 degrees Fahrenheit temperature moving from the grape vineyard across Muller Rd on the south from the Arvin-Edison WSD Balancing Reservoir to the orange grove on the east side of the reservoir just after 6:10am, yesterday, Monday, June 10, 2013. This reservoir is located off the northeast corner of the junction of Edison Rd and Muller Rd which in turn is 1.25-1.5 miles south of CA Hwy 58 east of Bakersfield. ADDITIONAL NOTES: * I birded Kern National Wildlife Refuge in 109-111 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures 3pm-4:15pm, Saturday, June 8, 2013. Most of the water in the cells at the refuge has evaporated leaving a couple of fairly large shallow pools and a few small ones. I was able to observe an unimpressive twenty-five species during my visit while missing target American Bittern, Swainson's Hawk, and Sora (virtually zero water in marsh areas). Did I enjoy this Kern NWR birding visit despite not finding my target birds? Absolutely! * Five hundred sixty WHITE-FACED IBIS were counted at two, flooded field locations along Wildwood Rd between CA Hwy 46 on the south and Garces Hwy just a few miles south of the northern edge of Kern County. 160 were counted on the east side of Wildwood Rd 2.6 miles north of Hwy 46 while 400 were counted at a reservoir marsh on the west side of Wildwood Rd 7.1 miles north of Hwy 46. Of course, different fields are flooded different days. But, based a count along just one north-south road in the Kern portion of the southern San Joaquin Valley suggests an impressive number of summering individuals. As a matter of fact, one year when the Kern NWR had water deeper into the breeding/nesting season, 6000 pairs of White-faced Ibis nested there. Continued Happy & Productive Birding in the Sacramento Valley and/or San Joaquin Valley portions of California's Central Valley, Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California Cell: 760-382-1260 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Black-and-white Warbler in Butte Co. From: BRUCE DEUEL <bdeuel AT wildblue.net> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:49:25 -0700 Hi all, Just received a communication from Mark Dettling of Point Blue (formerly PRBO) who found a Black-and-white Warber this morning on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Pine Creek West property along the Sacramento River. The bird was singing, but actively moving about and may not stay. THIS PROPERTY MAY ONLY BE LEGALLY ACCESSED BY BOAT. I don't know exactly where it is, but I'm sure you can google it. Mark says there is a big star-thistle filled field in the middle of the property and the bird was working the trees on the west side. Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Grasshopper Sparrows in Putah Creek Sinks From: "Andy Engilis, Jr." <aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:28:35 -0700 Seems to be a good year for Grasshopper Sparrows in the southern "Boot" of Yolo County. Several birds have been detected over the course of this breeding season. Today, I was able to confirm a node of 4+ singing male Grasshopper Sparrows in the Putah Creek Sinks (on private Lands that border the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area and on the wildlife area itself - from singing males detected from a distance). I noted the birds singing last week, but wanted to confirm that they seem to be in territory before reporting the observation. They are. One location is in the fallow weedy field due south of the red house at the bend of the Main DWR levee as it swings west to parallel Putah Creek. This area is closed to the general public and the levee has private access rights. I photographed and recorded the birds from private lands we are surveying along Putah Creek. Good Birding Andy Andrew Engilis, Jr. Curator Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 USA Office Phone: 530-752-0364 FAX: 530-752-4154 E-mail: aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Bird rescue From: "Ray Rozema" <rrozema54 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:44:49 -0000 Hello I am trying to remember the contact for the person in the Wilton area involved in bird rescue. A friend has barn owl fledglings that "fell"out of the box too soon. they look like they have a least a few weeks to go for they can fly. Any help advice would be appreciated Thankyou Ray rozema ------------------------------------ Subject: recent Putah Creek and Cosumnes birds; upcoming Tall Forest survey From: "John and Glennah Trochet" <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:52:53 -0700 Dear Birders, First, some neglected news that should have gone out in my previous note to this list. Last Thursday I also visited the Twin Cities Unit of the Cosumnes River Preserve. The burrowing owls are still present, but I have yet to see any owlets. Of greater personal interest were juvenile horned larks accompanying adults. I don't think we've had any previous breeding on the lower preserve, though I know this species is a regular breeder at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and at preserve parcels in eastern Sacramento County. Also, the lone adult snow goose was still present along Desmond Road. Saturday I helped Jim Rowoth on the River Walk bird survey. I started at the TNC Barn ponds. These, except the one at the south margin of Desmond, are all dry. There were few things of note: a continuing pair of American wigeon and two male blue grosbeaks were about it. Sunday I did the Lost Slough bird survey, expecting broiling heat. The much cooler temperature was wonderful, but the howling winds were not. Like the survey the previous day, I found no late migrants, possibly excepting a singing lazuli bunting. I also had three male blue grosbeaks, two right along Franklin Blvd. The snow goose continued adjacent to Desmond Road. I did more BBA work along Putah Creek on private property upstream of Winters this morning. Brown creepers were carrying food, a (presumably the same) Pacific-slope flycatcher is singing regularly over the last 10 days, a warbling vireo was singing early but silent or elsewhere by mid-morning, and there were two western tanagers widely separated from one another. It seems that I was too optimistic about the late May chats along the creek. I haven't detected them since. The June Tall Forest bird survey will take place this coming Saturday, 15 June, at the Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County. We will depart through the locked gate at the corner of Bruceville and Desmond Roads promptly at 5:15 a.m. I am recommending rubber knee boots because recently the rice farmer has been over-pumping water into Wood Duck Slough, to the extent that he's flooding the berm at the pump station. Bring insect repellent. This is usually the slowest month of the year, but it rarely has something really snazzy that makes up for all the dreary June surveys one does. No promises! Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Prairie Falcon, Yolo county From: "W.L. Rockey" <wlrockey AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2013 23:00:05 -0700 This afternoon I was surprised to see a PRAIRIE FALCON flying overhead from a residence just outside Esparto. I managed a photo, revealing the bird is undergoing primary molt: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrockey/9003019873/ This is the first I've ever seen in June here. In April 2012 I found a pair of Prairie Falcons nesting on the cliff face known as Big Rock west of the Capay Valley (private property). Perhaps this individual is from that nest site? -William Rockey Esparto [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Putah Creek Gray Catbird 6/12 From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2013 12:43:43 -0700 The Gray Catbird is still there at noon. Just returned from looking at it. I played a tape of the song which is the only way I was able to detect the bird as the vegetation is dense. It stayed on the Solano County side of the creek and although I was able to see it, I didn't get a clear photo of it. It sang a few times in response to tape playback. This is a first record for Solano County, so congratulations Michael for finding and reporting it quickly! John John Sterling VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com On Jun 9, 2013, at 8:09 AM, M wrote: > I of course mean June 9 not 12. I had June 12 in mind as I just checked Steve Hampton's rarities page that shows the last sighting of Gray Catbird on June 12, 2003. > > Michael Strom > Davis > > --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "M" wrote: > > > > This morning at 7:00 AM I had a Gray Catbird along Putah Creek east of Pedrick Road. At nest box #15 there are blackberries on either side of the creek, and I saw the bird first on the Solano side then it flew over to the Yolo side. I had fantastic views for about 30 seconds as it fed on the berries. Then I lost it and couldn't locate it again after 20 min of searching the area. > > > > Nest box #15 is approximately 100 yards west of the driftwood hut location. > > > > Other birds of interest include a silent Western Wood-Pewee at this spot and at least three quite vocal Pacific-slope Flycatchers between here and the hut location. > > > > > > Michael Strom > > Davis > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Putah Creek Gray Catbird 6/12 From: "M" <masam321 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 09 Jun 2013 15:09:30 -0000 I of course mean June 9 not 12. I had June 12 in mind as I just checked Steve Hampton's rarities page that shows the last sighting of Gray Catbird on June 12, 2003. Michael Strom Davis --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "M" wrote: > > This morning at 7:00 AM I had a Gray Catbird along Putah Creek east of Pedrick Road. At nest box #15 there are blackberries on either side of the creek, and I saw the bird first on the Solano side then it flew over to the Yolo side. I had fantastic views for about 30 seconds as it fed on the berries. Then I lost it and couldn't locate it again after 20 min of searching the area. > > Nest box #15 is approximately 100 yards west of the driftwood hut location. > > Other birds of interest include a silent Western Wood-Pewee at this spot and at least three quite vocal Pacific-slope Flycatchers between here and the hut location. > > > Michael Strom > Davis > ------------------------------------ Subject: Putah Creek Gray Catbird 6/12 From: "M" <masam321 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 09 Jun 2013 15:00:08 -0000 This morning at 7:00 AM I had a Gray Catbird along Putah Creek east of Pedrick Road. At nest box #15 there are blackberries on either side of the creek, and I saw the bird first on the Solano side then it flew over to the Yolo side. I had fantastic views for about 30 seconds as it fed on the berries. Then I lost it and couldn't locate it again after 20 min of searching the area. Nest box #15 is approximately 100 yards west of the driftwood hut location. Other birds of interest include a silent Western Wood-Pewee at this spot and at least three quite vocal Pacific-slope Flycatchers between here and the hut location. Michael Strom Davis ------------------------------------ Subject: This morning's River Walk @ Cosumne River Preserve From: rowoth AT sbcglobal.net Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2013 13:51:44 -0700 (PDT) Cosumnes River Preserve--Cosumnes River Walk, Sacramento, US-CA Jun 8, 2013 5:30 AM - 10:30 AM Protocol: Traveling 4.0 mile(s) Comments:     Regularly scheduled walk.  Participants: Jim R, John T, Calvin L, Sam & Nannette S, Mike & Helen M, Jerry M, Susan S, & Shannon.  No water W of Franklin, and only pond E of Franklin was the pool just E of Visitor Center footbridge.  Warm morning which turned into a hot day.  Unusually large turnout of participants--perhaps I should start these walks at 'zero-dark-hundred' more often!   Jim Rowoth Stockton 55 species Canada Goose  1 Wood Duck  11 (includes 6 ducklings) Gadwall  2     pair Mallard  22 Ring-necked Pheasant  1     heard only Pied-billed Grebe  3 American White Pelican  3     flyover trio Great Blue Heron  2 Great Egret  4 Green Heron  2 Black-crowned Night-Heron  4 White-faced Ibis  30     one flyover flock Turkey Vulture  1 White-tailed Kite  1 Northern Harrier  1 (male) Red-shouldered Hawk  2 Swainson's Hawk  2 Killdeer  2     heard only Rock Pigeon  12 Mourning Dove  4 Great Horned Owl  2     (Calvin had good looks before we set off) Nuttall's Woodpecker  4 Downy Woodpecker  2     heard only Northern Flicker  2     heard only American Kestrel  1 Western Wood-Pewee  1     heard only, at "the Point" Black Phoebe  12 Ash-throated Flycatcher  16 Western Kingbird  10 Western Scrub-Jay  4 American Crow  6 Tree Swallow  80 Cliff Swallow  12 Oak Titmouse  5 Bushtit  25 White-breasted Nuthatch  4 House Wren  24 Marsh Wren  14 Bewick's Wren  6 Wrentit  11 Western Bluebird  1 American Robin  6 European Starling  6 Common Yellowthroat  16     mostly heard only Spotted Towhee  25 Song Sparrow  12 Blue Grosbeak  2 (males) Red-winged Blackbird  40 Western Meadowlark  5 Brewer's Blackbird  20 Brown-headed Cowbird  15 Bullock's Oriole  4     on W side of Franklin Blvd House Finch  12 Lesser Goldfinch  20 American Goldfinch  18 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14369922 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: warbling vireo From: "Perrone, Michael AT DWR" <Michael.Perrone_Jr@water.ca.gov> Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 15:28:59 +0000 An unseen warbling vireo called from trees alongside Industrial Blvd, east of the Post Office, in West Sacramento this morning. This is late for a migrant. Michael Perrone Department of Water Resources Division of Environmental Services 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento CA 95691 (916) 376-9788 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Cosumnes and Putah Creek birds the last few days From: "John and Glennah Trochet" <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 21:04:04 -0700 Dear Birders, Tuesday and yesterday, 4 and 5 June, I spent the mornings atlassing along Putah Creek near Winters. On both mornings I had a couple of Swainson's thrushes and a few western tanagers, and yesterday there was a warbling vireo. At widely separated spots on the creek, I saw adult western scub-jays, with volant youngsters looking on, attempt to nab fledglings of Bullock's orioles and house sparrows. In both cases the parents of the fledglings "attacked" or "distracted" the would-be predator, defending their offspring. Yesterday was also decent for mammals, with beaver, raccoon, river otter and two red foxes. On Tuesday, I think I heard a red-legged frog at another site along the creek, but I was unable to relocate it yesterday when I brought my recording equipment. This morning was another good day for mammals, this time at the Cosumnes River Preserve. There I did my Tall Forest transect survey. The highlights among the birds were singletons of western tanager, Swainson's thrush and warbling vireo, topped off by the lovely strains of a late hermit thrush singing pre-dawn. Mammals today included beaver, raccoon, opossum, coyote, fox squirrel, California ground squirrel, desert cottontail, black-tailed jackrabbit, unidentifed mouse/shrew, black-tailed deer, and best of all, gray fox. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: migrants in Davis From: "Perrone, Michael AT DWR" <Michael.Perrone_Jr@water.ca.gov> Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 21:14:19 +0000 This morning in east Davis I heard the song of a western tanager and the call of a western wood pewee. No other passage migrants were in evidence. Michael Perrone Department of Water Resources Division of Environmental Services 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento CA 95691 (916) 376-9788 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Sacramento River - Red Bluff to Woodson Bridge From: Ron Melcer <corvid88 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 09:05:34 -0700 Birders, Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend some time on the Sacramento River between the town of Red Bluff and Woodson Bridge State Park. Bank Swallow colonies on steep eroded banks were active within this reach, with many birds observed foraging along the river corridor. Two were quite large (>/=1000 burrows?). At least 2 pairs of Bald Eagles were also nesting in this reach. Audible from the river within the ~13 mile stretch were 4 singing Yellow-breasted Chats, singing Yellow Warbler in two locations, and many other common species (Western Wood Pewee, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, Lazuli Buntings, Lesser and American Goldfinches, Spotted Sandpiper). Ron Melcer Sacramento, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Join YAS on overnight to Snow Mountain From: "Sami" <sami182 AT wavecable.com> Date: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:57:05 -0000 Yolo Audubon society is participating in a joint birding trip with Tuleyome http://www.tuleyome.org/. Saturday /Sunday June 22, 23 Goat/Snow Mt. Overnight This will be a new adventure going to the Snow Mountain Region with Tuleyome. This two day venture will allow for birding in two distinct areas. Goat Mt. where we'll camp on Saturday night has a wide variety of habitat types that support hundreds of species of plants and animals. We'll be hosted by Tuleyome at their primitive camp site. On Sunday we'll go to 5000 ft. elevation walking up Summit Trail to find montane bird species. There will be a limit to the number of participants, so if you are interested in joining us please RSVP by June 8. More details will be shared with you then and on our Facebook page. If you plan on driving you'll need either 4x4 or all-wheel drive. Meet in Woodland at Tuleyome Headquarters 8:30 with your camping needs. Plan to bring a sharing for our group dinner. For more information, contact leaders Sami LaRocca 530.908.0288, sami182 AT wavecable.com; or Terry Colborn 916.705.8991 If this is something you are interested in doing please let me know. Sami LaRocca YAS Field Trip Chairperson 530 908-0288 ------------------------------------ Subject: Davis migrants From: "Perrone, Michael AT DWR" <Michael.Perrone_Jr@water.ca.gov> Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2013 15:55:03 +0000 A few migrants continue to pass through the Slide Hill Park area of east Davis, Yolo County. On 1 June were a Swainson's thrush and a warbling vireo. On 2 June were 4 Pac-slope type flycatchers, a willow flycatcher, a Wilson's warbler and a singing western tanager. Today, 4 June, yielded another Pac-slope flycatcher (a calling male) and an olive-sided flycatcher. Yellow warblers have been present also. Also, three separate bushtit family groups were along the local greenbelt as late as 2 June, but by this morning they had merged into one large flock. Michael Perrone Department of Water Resources Division of Environmental Services 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento CA 95691 (916) 376-9788 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: "white" turkey From: "sglarson2000" <trailwind AT surewest.net> Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:35:29 -0000 I ran across a mostly white wild turkey in a business park on El Camino Ave just off I 5 in Sacramento yesterday and have posted a couple of pictures in the miscellaneous album of this group. Would this be called leucistic? I certainly have never seen one like this, and I thought it pretty cool. Sue Larson Citrus Heights, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker - Solved! From: "whzerd1" <whzerd AT conifercom.net> Date: Sat, 01 Jun 2013 14:35:36 -0000 Thanks to a link from Dave Kiehl I am convinced that the bird I saw was a form of Nuttal's. The link was using Google Images and the search term Nuttall's Woodpecker. Many of the birds shown had darker head colors - although not as extensive as the bird I saw. I thought mine had the brownish red all the way from the forehead to the back - maybe not. I'm almost tempted to go out with a birder photog friend and try to get a picture. Nuttall's are common in this patch - so it is more likely to be that. Bill Zachman Groveland, CA Tuolumne County ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Need ID help please. Pipit? Thanks everyone! From: "skywater" <pouletchalet AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 19:12:20 -0000 Thank you everyone for the prompt reply. Its unanimous! Horned Lark. I will take it to SVC Deer Ck hills where I saw horned larks in the grasslands last time I was there. Thanks, Stefanie Stewart Wilton, CA --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "skywater" wrote: > > This bird was brought to us (wildlife rehab center)as a nestling from Roseville area. This was a month ago. I now have it in a flight cage but it looks like a pipit. > Are pipits nesting in the central valley? > What else could it it be?. I need help to ID so I can release appropriately. I posted photos under Needing help ID folder- "mystery bird" > > Thanks > > Stefanie Stewart > Wilton, CA > ------------------------------------ Subject: Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker #2 From: "whzerd1" <whzerd AT conifercom.net> Date: Sat, 01 Jun 2013 01:06:32 -0000 Lots of you are suggesting its a fledgling Nuttal's. If someone had a photo of such - please post it and let us know. Thanks. Bill Zachman Groveland, CA Tuolumne County ------------------------------------ Subject: CVBC field trip to Electra Rd, AMA Co. 5/29 From: Frances Oliver <hummer52ffo AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 31 May 2013 15:52:30 -0700 (PDT) Wednesday, May 29, 6 birders joined Joanne Katanic and I on the CVBC morning field trip to Electra Rd in Amador Co. Electra Rd is a pretty neat place, with 2 distinct types of habitats bordered by the river. Lots of birds signing. Fact is most of the trip was conducted by ear, sort of "NAME THAT TUNE". Gave us lot of time to work on ear birding. It was nice to find out that 2 of the attendees saw 2 Life birds!   Highlights included: 7 YB CHATS (1 seen well, the remainder most heard or viewed briefly), numerous YELLOW WARBLERS, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, HOUSE WREENS, BULLOCK'S ORIOLES paired up (mostly likely breeding). New for me and Joanne were a single RC SPARROW (though both long time birders Don M & Gwen S. say they often encounter them here) and a HAIRY WOODPECKER. At the end of the road by the PG&E water house we had another YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT coming zooming over to use from across the river which is the Calavares side. For a list of the entire trip: View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14283542 All & All a fun day! Frances & Joanne Lodi, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker From: "Bruce Cousens & Charlene Lee \(PuMa Coord.\)" <pmartins AT island.net> Date: Fri, 31 May 2013 14:47:23 -0700 The option that comes closest (and is within range), especially given the time of year, is a juvenile Red-breasted Sapsucker (see Sibley western guide, p.274, if available, or another field guide that shows juvenile plumages, or track down juvenile images on-line). The juvenile head markings and uniform reddish-brown colour are quite unlike the adult, more so than for most other woodpeckers, which can be confusing at first. White facial markings are mostly absent here, but may vary slightly over the range. The voice description is more comparative than descriptive, and since neither Ladder-backed nor Nuttall's woodpeckers occur this far north, I can't make a direct comparison, but in general terms it seems to fits as well. Bruce Cousens Nanaimo, BC, Canada Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker Fri May 31, 2013 11:06 am (PDT) . Posted by: "whzerd1" whzerd1 I need some ID help on a bird we saw on a Mocassin Creek outing today. It was a Woodpecker – ladderbacked – but the red on the head brought to mind a crayon in my youth called Burnt Sienna - a brownish red – the head was uniformly this color and it went all the way down the nape and connected with the black ladder-backed portion. The call sounded very much like the classic Ladder-backed Woodpecker – and was similar to the first bleat of the Nuttall's call – but it never had the long trill that the Nuttall's has. It's way out of range if it's a Ladder-backed Woodpecker. I got so concentrated on the strange red head I didnt get a good look at the side of the face - but the birder I was with said it did have white streaking on the side of the face. Any help would be appreciated. Bill Zachman Groveland, CA Tuolumne County ------------------------------------ Subject: Tuolumne County Mystery Woodpecker From: "whzerd1" <whzerd AT conifercom.net> Date: Fri, 31 May 2013 18:03:39 -0000 I need some ID help on a bird we saw on a Mocassin Creek outing today. It was a Woodpecker – ladderbacked – but the red on the head brought to mind a crayon in my youth called Burnt Sienna - a brownish red – the head was uniformly this color and it went all the way down the nape and connected with the black ladder-backed portion. The call sounded very much like the classic Ladder-backed Woodpecker – and was similar to the first bleat of the Nuttall's call – but it never had the long trill that the Nuttall's has. It's way out of range if it's a Ladder-backed Woodpecker. I got so conentrated on the strange red head I didnt get a good look at the side of the face - but the birder I was with said it did have white streaking on the side of the face. Any help would be appreciated. Bill Zachman Groveland, CA Tuolumne County ------------------------------------ Subject: Butte County Big Day -- 25 May 2013 From: "memuchowski" <mmuchowski AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 18:26:53 -0000 Butte County Big Day May 25th, 2013 134 Species Dawn Garcia, Mary Muchowski, Mauricio Schrader, Ken Sobon We had the most beautiful day and the best luck for our Butte County Big Day! Ken, Mauricio and I met at the Chico Park & Ride at 7am, and formulated a very loose, casual plan for the first few stops. We hit MacIntosh Road first to try for the HOODED ORIOLE, which flew to a palm frond right above us and gave us nice views as soon as we got out of the car. That set the "luck-factor" for the rest of the day! We then headed out West Sac (picked up YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE along the way) to Indian Fisheries, where we picked up most of the riparian/oak woodland species as well as ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, WOOD DUCK, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, BULLOCK'S ORIOLES and a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. We saw many baby birds today --- at Indian Fisheries we saw fledgling WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, TOWHEES and OAK TITMICE. On the way to the Oxidation Ponds we stopped by the Washout and picked up FORSTER'S TERNS, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS, BANK SWALLOW, OSPREY, YELLOW WARBLER, and COMMON MERGANSER. We missed the spotted sandpiper. Then we met up with Dawn at the Chico Oxidation Ponds, where we were greatly surprised with the number of species we added here: AMERICAN BITTERN, BELTED KINGFISHER, BLUE GROSBEAK (pair), YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, two young GREAT HORNED OWLS with one adult, BLACK-NECKED STILT, and more duck species than we expected: GREEN-WINGED and CINNAMON TEAL, AM. WIGEON, N. SHOVELER, RING-NECKED DUCK, GADWALL, RUDDY DUCK, MALLARD, and REDHEAD! There was also a lone GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, and the poor CLARKE'S GREBE that has been there for a couple of years now. As we were driving out, Dawn spotted a small flock of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS flying over. Since all of us have been extremely busy, we did not have a route planned out and none of us had time to scout, so we winged it from here. We headed up to towards Forest Ranch where we picked up the GOLDEN EAGLE nestling in the eyrie (thanks Scott Huber), WRENTIT and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, but missed the California Thrasher. At the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, we called for and heard two NORTHERN PYGMY OWLS. We also got LARK SPARROW (Dawn commenting that she thought she hasn't documented them there), LAZULI BUNTING and some great looks at a pair of LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES feeding on fiddlenecks – all of us extremely happy with this sighting since it has been a long time since any of us have seen them. A couple of bright male WESTERN TANAGERS landed about a foot from each other, with one male having the most red on his head that we've ever seen --- beautiful!! In Forest Ranch we added STELLER'S JAY, NASHVILLE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, and saw a family of BUSHTITS, with about 10 fledglings all sitting close together on several different branches ---- so cute! (but too far for a picture). We decided to go on up to Butte Meadows area to try for some more forest birds and picked up OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and a female WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER in a nest cavity. We missed mountain quail, pileated woodpecker (despite the fact that we called for them in many places, and saw fairly fresh signs) and hermit thrush. We took the back way over to Magalia and picked up WARBLING VIREO, and TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. Then at DeSalba, we got our first MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER of the day, and our first SONG SPARROW started singing just as we were getting back in the car to leave. After eating a quick dinner at a taco truck in Paradise, we headed down to Oroville, trying for the burrowing owls on Durham Pentz Road, but they weren't around. Driving south on Hwy 99, we stopped on Nelson to pick up TRI-COLORED BLACKBIRD, which we saw the first time we pulled over. Then a few minutes later on Hwy 99, we had a GREEN HERON and a SNOWY EGRET fly over us, and then we spotted a BLACK TERN flying over the rice fields and canals to the west of us. At the Thermalito Afterbay, we picked up RING-BILLED GULLS and three BONAPARTE'S GULLS as well as WESTERN GREBES (some pairs doing courtship displays). As the sun started to go down, we started to feel the rush of trying to get a few more species. We quickly drove down to Larkin Cove and picked up GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE. Back in the car and over to the Feather River Nature Center where a RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW was waiting for us perched on a short post only about 10 feet from the road. We also picked up WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS and heard a PHAINOPEPLA. We ended the day trying to pick up the black-crowned night-herons on the Feather River, but they were probably already out foraging by the time we got to one of their normal roost sites. All in all, an excellent day of birding! We had the most perfect weather we could have asked for, and we all enjoyed being together for this long but incredible day of locating and watching 134 species of birds in Butte County. Mary Muchowski Chico, California ------------------------------------ Subject: Amador County - Wednesday, 5/29 From: "Leslie Flint" <lflint AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 15:59:59 -0000 Had a great day in Amador County yesterday, starting off with a field trip led by Francis Oliver and Joanne Katanic along Electra Road - no fewer than 7 YB Chats seen/heard and one that flew from Calavaras County across to Amador - a twofer. From there I went to Indian Grinding Rocks SP. Had this wonderful place to myself. Added Chipping Sparrow, Purple Finch, Brown Creeper and Wild Turkey; lots of BH Grosbeaks and Robins, Bullocks's Orioles too. Francis suggested I drive up to Ellis Road off Hwy 88. Wow, what a wonderful road. Mountain Chickadee, GC Kinglets, 6 warbler species - Yellow-rumped, Orange-crowned, Nashville, Black-throated Gray, MacGillivray's and Yellow - all seen well. I also found Green-tailed Towhee, Western Bluebird, lots of Lazuli Buntings. I had to stop at mile 4.2 because the road was pretty bad crossing the creek and I didn't want to chance it with my Prius so I stood there for about 30 minutes; Western Tanagers, Fox Sparrows, Downy Woodpecker feeding young and then Mountain Quail (calling and then in view on the ridge line) and a Lewis's Woodpecker inspecting all the snags. Fantastic spot. 64 species for the day. Leslie Flint San Mateo ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Re: Need ID help please. Pipit? From: Bruce Webb <BruWebb AT surewest.net> Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 12:56:01 -0700 Stephanie: Yes it is a Horned Lark. In a lot of ways, e.g. bill length, white outer tail feathers, they resemble young pipits. But American Pipits are tundra breeders. I helped my wife with her PhD work that involved tundra-nesting Horned Larks, and American Pipits. I found quite a few Horned Lark nests and banded young. Here is an idea: If your young bird is still not flying age, as the photograph shows, perhaps you could put your bird into an active nest. All you need to do is find an adult carrying food and follow it to the nest or a nestling if they fledged. It is easy. The adults feeding young will not notice one more mouth to feed. -- Bruce Webb Granite Bay, CA On 5/28/2013 11:38 AM, Steve Hampton wrote: > I believe it is a Horned Lark. They nest at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife > Area-- I recently saw a pic of a juvenile out there that looked similar to > this bird. > > > > On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 11:24 AM, drsgmule wrote: > >> ** >> >> >> Looks like it might be a Horned Lark. Do a search for juvenile Horned Lark >> photos and compare to your bird. >> >> Linda Pittman >> Wilton, CA >> >> >> --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "skywater" >> wrote: >>> This bird was brought to us (wildlife rehab center)as a nestling from >> Roseville area. This was a month ago. I now have it in a flight cage but it >> looks like a pipit. >>> Are pipits nesting in the central valley? >>> What else could it it be?. I need help to ID so I can release >> appropriately. I posted photos under Needing help ID folder- "mystery bird" >>> Thanks >>> >>> Stefanie Stewart >>> Wilton, CA >>> >> >> > > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Re: Need ID help please. Pipit? From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 11:38:33 -0700 I believe it is a Horned Lark. They nest at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area-- I recently saw a pic of a juvenile out there that looked similar to this bird. On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 11:24 AM, drsgmule wrote: > ** > > > Looks like it might be a Horned Lark. Do a search for juvenile Horned Lark > photos and compare to your bird. > > Linda Pittman > Wilton, CA > > > --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "skywater" > wrote: > > > > This bird was brought to us (wildlife rehab center)as a nestling from > Roseville area. This was a month ago. I now have it in a flight cage but it > looks like a pipit. > > Are pipits nesting in the central valley? > > What else could it it be?. I need help to ID so I can release > appropriately. I posted photos under Needing help ID folder- "mystery bird" > > > > Thanks > > > > Stefanie Stewart > > Wilton, CA > > > > > -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Need ID help please. Pipit? From: "drsgmule" <pittmanl AT frontiernet.net> Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 18:24:05 -0000 Looks like it might be a Horned Lark. Do a search for juvenile Horned Lark photos and compare to your bird. Linda Pittman Wilton, CA --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "skywater" wrote: > > This bird was brought to us (wildlife rehab center)as a nestling from Roseville area. This was a month ago. I now have it in a flight cage but it looks like a pipit. > Are pipits nesting in the central valley? > What else could it it be?. I need help to ID so I can release appropriately. I posted photos under Needing help ID folder- "mystery bird" > > Thanks > > Stefanie Stewart > Wilton, CA > ------------------------------------ Subject: Need ID help please. Pipit? From: "skywater" <pouletchalet AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 15:51:23 -0000 This bird was brought to us (wildlife rehab center)as a nestling from Roseville area. This was a month ago. I now have it in a flight cage but it looks like a pipit. Are pipits nesting in the central valley? What else could it it be?. I need help to ID so I can release appropriately. I posted photos under Needing help ID folder- "mystery bird" Thanks Stefanie Stewart Wilton, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: lost Summer Tanager, Yuba/Butte County From: "Brian Williams" <BWCAL AT SPRYNET.COM> Date: Sun, 26 May 2013 11:15:59 -0700 A sweet, tantalizing song caught my attention yesterday (5/25) in my yard near Loma Rica. My son and I ran after it and heard it sing repeatedly from the cottonwoods and sycamores along Honcut Creek, but we never saw the bird. After 30 minutes or so, it flew downstream, still singing. We chased but could not refind it. I knew it was a tanager (especially from the burry trailing notes of the song) and suspected Summer Tanager. We listened to several tanager songs on Xeno-Canto, but the best (almost identical) match I found was a Summer Tanager from South Carolina at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Summer_Tanager/sounds Have not heard anything suggestive this morning. Brian Williams [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Brant in Merced County From: kent Van Vuren <VanVurenK AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 21:36:56 -0700 Below is a link to a photo of the Brant at the O'Neill Forebay. http://www.flickr.com/photos/groucho_24/8810710127/ Kent Van Vuren Prunedale, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: CRP continuing late geese From: "John and Glennah Trochet" <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 18:49:09 -0700 Dear Birders, This morning I accompanied Chris Conard on his survey at Orr Ranch. It was a lovely morning to be afield, but someone turned off the switch about 7:30, and birds of interest almost ceased to be encountered. After the survey I made a quick check of the Desmond Road ponds at the lower Cosumnes River Preserve. The quickly drying pond north of the road still had one adult snow goose and seven greater white-fronted geese. I didn't see anything else of note on this brief visit. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Brant Merced From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 12:51:21 -0700 The brant is still here at O'Neill forebay by the boat ramp near the swimming area. Sent from my iPad John Sterling 530 908-3836 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 ------------------------------------ Subject: Tricolored blackbirds fledging at El Dorado Hills From: "skywater" <pouletchalet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 06:51:35 -0000 Yesterday and the day before I went back to the colony at El Dorado Hills to take photos. I noticed hundreds of fledglings being fed by the parents. By the next day the parents were luring the fledglings away from the nesting site by presenting grasshoppers to the young and then flying away with fledgling in pursuit. It was a fascinating experience. I'm sure by the next few days everyone will have fledged out of the area. Unfortunately I also saw a few fledglings with pox on the feet and head. Sadly, they will most likely be left behind. This seem like a productive colony site and worth saving for the future. I hope it is not lost to development in the area. I will post a few photos. -Stefanie Stewart Wilton, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Dusky-Capped Flycatcher at Davis Wetlands From: "rubys_oograah" <rubys_oograah AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 20:36:36 -0000 A pair of DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS were near the entrance, where the road leaves the levee. Other than that, I saw mostly late wintering waterbirds, including a single ROSS'S GOOSE, GADWALLS, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, COOTS, etc. Also two AMERICAN BITTERNS and a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. Karen Kienitz RN Davis ------------------------------------ Subject: Western tanager in south Davis (Yolo County) From: Sylvia Wright <swright AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 15:34:42 +0000 Male western tanager just now in my birdbath. Sylvia Wright South Davis Yolo County, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: chat still at Sac Bypass From: "Todd Easterla" <teasterla AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 21:11:52 -0700 YBCH shows up here (Sac Bypass) annually singing even into June but then goes quiet with no observations after this. Breeding has been suspect but no one has been lucky enough to confirm yet to my knowledge. I had two different YBCH males singing in the Putah Creek Canyon last weekend. On another note I also gleaned an adult Orange Crowned Warbler feeding young here as well. Todd Easterla Rancho Cordova, Ca. From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Steve Hampton Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 9:59 AM To: cvbirds Subject: [CVBirds] chat still at Sac Bypass This morning the Yellow-breasted Chat first found by Ron Melcer at the west end of the Sac Bypass was still singing away. Ed, I know we have many suspected nesting records for chat in Yolo, but do we have any confirmed? Also had FOS Willow Flycatcher today. thanks, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Merced, Stanislaus & San Joaquin Cos. 23 May 13 From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 16:47:53 -0700 Merced Co. - Basalt Campground was very windy this morning. Did find a CASSIN'S KINGBIRD up around space #63. The thrushes had departed, but there were scads of Wilson's Warblers - every bush was festooned. Also present were Western Wood-Pewees and Pacific-slope Flycatchers and a male Western Tanager. As has already been reported, the BRANT was still along the beach north of the west-side boat ramp. It was all by its lonesome, feeding on the stringy algae close to shore. Found 1 SWAINSON'S THRUSH in the trees at the boat ramp parking lot. Also another Western Tanager. At the Gustine WTP there was 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER, 1 WHIMBREL, 1 Dunlin, 8 Red-necked Phalaropes and 4 Black-bellied Plovers. Stanislaus Co. - Finally found LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES at the Deer Valley Campground. (It helps if you look in the right place.) Also seen was a singing Canyon Wren at Owl Rock, a Badger and a Coyote eyeing each other near the first cattle guard and a squashed California Whipsnake. San Joaquin Co. - There were still a few PURPLE FINCHES near the intersection of Harney and Tully, east of Lodi. Kathy Parker Los Gatos ------------------------------------ Subject: last year's Red-thr. Loon info needed From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 11:42:54 -0700 Can someone please let me know who found the Red-throated Loon in March 2012 at the O'Neill Forebay? and when it was first discovered? thanks John John Sterling VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: still there now Re: Brant In Merced County From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 10:42:54 -0700 John Luther just called me to report that the Brant is there right now. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com On May 22, 2013, at 10:25 PM, kent Van Vuren wrote: > Today, I had a Brant at the O'Neill Forebay. It was near the boat > launch area > at the west side, spending time with a female Common Goldeneye off the > beach > area just to the north. > > Some other highlights were > > Basalt Campground > Costa's Hummingbird > Western Wood Pewee > Cassin's Kingbird (two) > Warbling Vireo > Swainson's Thrush > > O'Neill Forebay > Bald Eagle > Great-horned Owl (baby with parent) > Ash-throated Flycatcher > Pacific-Slope Flycatcher > Swainson's Thrush > Western Tanager (2) > > San Luis Reseroir (Fisherman's Point) > Brown Pelican (5) > > Gustine > Bufflehead (2) > Black-bellied Plover (2) > Dunlin (3) > Western Sandpiper (1) > Whimbrel > Red-necked Phalarope (9) > > Kent Van Vuren > Prunedale, Ca (when I am home) > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: chat still at Sac Bypass From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 09:58:49 -0700 This morning the Yellow-breasted Chat first found by Ron Melcer at the west end of the Sac Bypass was still singing away. Ed, I know we have many suspected nesting records for chat in Yolo, but do we have any confirmed? Also had FOS Willow Flycatcher today. thanks, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Brant In Merced County From: kent Van Vuren <VanVurenK AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 22:25:35 -0700 Today, I had a Brant at the O'Neill Forebay. It was near the boat launch area at the west side, spending time with a female Common Goldeneye off the beach area just to the north. Some other highlights were Basalt Campground Costa's Hummingbird Western Wood Pewee Cassin's Kingbird (two) Warbling Vireo Swainson's Thrush O'Neill Forebay Bald Eagle Great-horned Owl (baby with parent) Ash-throated Flycatcher Pacific-Slope Flycatcher Swainson's Thrush Western Tanager (2) San Luis Reseroir (Fisherman's Point) Brown Pelican (5) Gustine Bufflehead (2) Black-bellied Plover (2) Dunlin (3) Western Sandpiper (1) Whimbrel Red-necked Phalarope (9) Kent Van Vuren Prunedale, Ca (when I am home) ------------------------------------ Subject: White Pelican Yolo Bypass From: "szafrica77" <slmayhew77 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 03:05:14 -0000 There was one lone White Pelican at the Yolo Bypass in Davis today. And had a good close siting of a coyote. Got nice photos of both. Saw a few Yellow-headed Blackbirds as well. Sarah Mayhew Davis, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve From: "skywater" <pouletchalet AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 22:22:53 -0000 I recently took into our wildlife rehab center, two hooded merganser ducklings from two different locations in N. Sac county. Seems like indeed they are nesting in the central valley. I was very surprised. -Stefanie Stewart Wilton, CA --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "Andy Engilis, Jr." wrote: > > This morning at the Valensin Forest (West of HWY 99 and Dillard Road; > Sacramento County) I photographed a female Hooded Merganser with six chicks > in tow. This was my first nesting record for the Central Valley for this > species! In addition to the typical birds of the Oak woodlands at Valensin, > I observed a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > > > Andy Engilis > > > > Andrew Engilis, Jr. > > Curator > > Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology > > University of California > > One Shields Avenue > > Davis, CA 95616 > > USA > > > > Office Phone: 530-752-0364 > > FAX: 530-752-4154 > > E-mail: aengilisjr AT ... > > Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: Paradise Cut Yellow-breasted Chats From: Ron Melcer <corvid88 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 08:11:07 -0700 Birders, More Yellow-breasted Chats (2), and 2 Willow Flycatchers were calling from the willow/mugwort shrub habitats within the Paradise Cut flood bypass in San Joaquin County. The birds were observed between the San Joaquin River and the floodway intersection with I-5 on Tuesday 05/21. Ron Melcer Sacramento, CA (916) 296-6729 ------------------------------------ Subject: Cosumnes MapRE: Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 From: "Jann Dorothy" <jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 06:59:25 -0700 I read with interest the regular reports of surveys at the Cosumnes River Preserve. However, lacking a map of the Preserve with any detail at the granular level, I'm uncertain where the areas called out are located. The Preserve website offers no map that I can find. A Google search turns up various maps which detail the main trails that loop, but at best I see Desmond Road, the railroad tracks and the barn ponds. I'm sure most List members are familiar with the area much more than me, but I'm trying to figure out what constitutes the Tall Forest, the Accidental Forest, Wood Duck Slough and the like. Is there a walking trails map somewhere that delineates these that I've been unable to find, or are these terms of art that have just become common parlance among birders and Preserve regulars? Thanks for your anticipated guidance and good birding. Jann Dorothy Sacramento, CA From: central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John and Glennah Trochet Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:44 PM To: CV Birds Subject: [CVBirds] Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 Dear Birders, This morning I did a survey near the Tall Forest, and the woodland migrant numbers were so impressive that I had to walk down Wood Duck Slough to see what, if anything else, was moving through. This was easily my best morning this season for forest migrants. Highlights included: western wood-pewee- 12 dusky/Hammond's flycatcher- 1 (when I first saw it, it looked like Hammond's, but it seemed to have changed shape when I saw it again!) warbling vireo- 8 Swainson's thrush- 18 orange-crowned warbler- 1 yellow warbler- 10 black-throated gray warbler- 2 Townsend's warbler- 20-25 Townsend's x hermit warbler- 1 hermit warbler- 1 MacGillivray's warbler- 2 common yellowthroat- 20 Wilson's warbler- 20-25 yellow-breasted chat- 1 western tanager- 35-40 blue grosbeak- 4 bunting sp.- 1 female hooded oriole- 1 female (bird of the day) Along Desmond Road, two snow geese and 11 greater white-fronted geese continue. The only migrant shorebirds I detected there were a long-billed dowitcher and two Wilson's phalaropes. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Putah Creek migrants and breeders From: Manfred Kusch <makusch AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 07:20:40 -0700 This note was meant to be sent yesterday. As others have reported, today was a surprisingly birdy day all around. After several days of fairly slow action, warblers, flycatchers, tanagers, wrens, nuthatches, and a few others were suddenly present in fairly good numbers and diversity. Wilson's and Yellow Warblers were the most numerous, more than 5 of each, but I also found 1 Townsend's and 2 Hermit warblers, and 1 Black-throated Gray. An Orange-crowned Warbler was feeding in the tops of the eucalyptus mixed in with several Western Tanagers. The real surprise for me was a male Lazuli Bunting, a very rare visitor at my place although I have seen a good number of females, typically in late summer. There are again several Swainson's Thrushes along the creek. One killed itself by flying into our kitchen window. I had not seen any for several days. There were several Bewick's Wrens in three locations, one group clearly a family with recently fledged young. There are House wrens in three breeding territories, nicely spaced along my trail in addition to two nesting pairs in my garden. Two pairs of Spotted Towhees are nesting in their traditional locations, a bramble thicket and a dense stand of California roses. Three pairs of Ash-throated Flycatchers are nesting in natural cavities along the creek and two additional pairs in my nest boxes which are also occupied by three pairs of Western Bluebirds (one fledged already), and five pairs of Tree Swallows. One box held the nest (built of pieces of bark, dirt clumps, fur, hair, and feathers) of a White-breasted Nuthatch, but after the female had sat on her eggs for about a week, the eggs disappeared and the nest was abandoned. Hard to know what kind of predator could squeeze through a 1.5 inch entry hole. The chicks in the Red-tailed Hawk nests (2 and 2) are growing rapidly and their white baby down is giving way to their first set of dark brown feathers. Nuttall's Woodpeckers whose nest construction in a dead valley oak branch I observed from the very beginning have successfully raised their young who fledged yesterday. Western Kingbirds are more numerous than usual around my place. In addition to the pair nesting on the attachment bracket of my neighbor's transformer, there are 3 more pairs in my garden. One pair is building a nest in a sycamore, one has placed a few strands of material on the bracket of my transformer, and the third pair hangs out in the area where they nested last year. The first Hooded Orioles must be close to fledging, some may already have left their nest. New nests are now again appearing at a pretty good clip pushing the total well beyond 10, but I have not made a great effort to keep track. So far I have found 5 nests of Black-headed Grosbeaks in my garden. One nest, in a Chinese silk tree (albizia) is noteworthy for its male occupant who often breaks into vigorous song while attending to his incubation duties. I have never observed this behavior before. Barn Swallow numbers are down this year. There are 8 active nests compared to 13 last year. Northern Mockingbirds are already on their second brood nests. Despite my best efforts, however, I have so far not been able to find a single Black-chinned Hummingbird nest despite the remarkable abundance of this species around my place. I observed two females down by the creek who collected nesting material but then took it way up into the canopy of cottonwood and valley oak trees, at least 30-40ft up and out of sight. On other occasions I have, however, found their nests as low as 3-4 ft on low branches of a small apple tree and a persimmon tree. House Finches, Mourning Doves, and American Robins are raising one brood after another, assuring their future abundance. Manfred Kusch Davis/Winters makusch AT ucdavis.edu 707-678-1027 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Bald eagles From: Ray Rozema <rrozema54 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 21:00:39 -0700 FYI There is an eagle nest at Lake Camanche with 2 fledglings. They will probable leave the nest soon. Below is link to a map of the spot. The small crosshair marks the spot ( Not the red " A"). The nest is on the north side of a large pine. It is about a 1/2 mile hike up a hill.To get there go to the horse trail parking lot which is just north of the tennis courts which you can see on the image. At the entrance to the park tell them you are going to the horse trail, then the entrance fee is only $2.50. The horse trail parking lot is on their map. http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=38.23255,-120.94027&z=17&t=S&marker0=38.23511%2C-120.94567%2Clake%20camanche%20california http://rayrozema.smugmug.com/Birds/Raptors/14998309_mCx7j2#!i=2527241548&k=6VHG3c9 Ray Rozema Sheldon CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: north Davis birds From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 16:15:55 -0700 This was also a great morning in north Davis (the day after the north winds end is often good). Lots of warblers, tanagers, and others. Highlights were a calling (but hidden) YELLOW-BR CHAT (ne corner of the North Davis Farms western pond) and a RED-BR NUTHATCH. Full list is at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14195965 good birding, -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Cosumnes birds- 21 May 2013 From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 12:43:40 -0700 Dear Birders, This morning I did a survey near the Tall Forest, and the woodland migrant numbers were so impressive that I had to walk down Wood Duck Slough to see what, if anything else, was moving through. This was easily my best morning this season for forest migrants. Highlights included: western wood-pewee- 12 dusky/Hammond's flycatcher- 1 (when I first saw it, it looked like Hammond's, but it seemed to have changed shape when I saw it again!) warbling vireo- 8 Swainson's thrush- 18 orange-crowned warbler- 1 yellow warbler- 10 black-throated gray warbler- 2 Townsend's warbler- 20-25 Townsend's x hermit warbler- 1 hermit warbler- 1 MacGillivray's warbler- 2 common yellowthroat- 20 Wilson's warbler- 20-25 yellow-breasted chat- 1 western tanager- 35-40 blue grosbeak- 4 bunting sp.- 1 female hooded oriole- 1 female (bird of the day) Along Desmond Road, two snow geese and 11 greater white-fronted geese continue. The only migrant shorebirds I detected there were a long-billed dowitcher and two Wilson's phalaropes. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Chat - American River, Bannister Park From: "Sally M. Walters" <bajaowl AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 11:25:05 -0700 > Forwarded from Jane Taylor" <1jgtaylor AT att.net> wrote: "My companion and I walked from Sacramento Bar near Sunrise Blvd. to Bannister Park. From there, we backtracked down to the river and ended up on small trails in oaks, grass and shrubs between the series of ponds you see on the map and the river, where it makes that huge bend. It was there I heard the bird; we walked past it, but our trail dead-ended, so we came back and the bird was still sounding. First thinking it might be a CA Thrasher, I pished. With the rough chip notes, I then thought "Chat?" and was lucky to flush it. It flew back and left and I was able to spot its large (relative to a warbler) size, yellow breast and dark head. Then it dropped down. Unfortunately, no picture. I checked my National Geographic field guide at home and it shows a yellow migration indicator in the valley for the Yellow-breasted Chat. >> This morning, I walked with a companion on the north side of the river >> just west of Fair Oaks and tried out my new-found "pishing" skills on a >> bird that sounded a little like a mockingbird but more disjointed, with >> frequently repeated loud "chips". I scared it all right, and it flew out >> of its bush a bit away, but I got a glimpse with my binoculars before it >> dropped down - a Yellow-breasted Chat, my first on the American! >> Jane" SallyWalters & DonSchmoldt Sacramento County, Ca BajaOwl AT Gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve From: "drsgmule" <pittmanl AT frontiernet.net> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 18:14:04 -0000 I have been monitoring a Hooded Merganser nest in a Wood Duck nest box at Horseshoe Lake (restricted area east of Hwy 99) and 9 or 10 of the 12 eggs had hatched prior to my last visit on May 17. Linda Pittman Wilton --- In central_valley_birds AT yahoogroups.com, "Andy Engilis, Jr." wrote: > > This morning at the Valensin Forest (West of HWY 99 and Dillard Road; > Sacramento County) I photographed a female Hooded Merganser with six chicks > in tow. This was my first nesting record for the Central Valley for this > species! In addition to the typical birds of the Oak woodlands at Valensin, > I observed a Hammond's Flycatcher. > > > > Andy Engilis > > > > Andrew Engilis, Jr. > > Curator > > Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology > > University of California > > One Shields Avenue > > Davis, CA 95616 > > USA > > > > Office Phone: 530-752-0364 > > FAX: 530-752-4154 > > E-mail: aengilisjr AT ... > > Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: Hooded Merganser at Cosumnes Preserve From: "Andy Engilis, Jr." <aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 10:39:14 -0700 This morning at the Valensin Forest (West of HWY 99 and Dillard Road; Sacramento County) I photographed a female Hooded Merganser with six chicks in tow. This was my first nesting record for the Central Valley for this species! In addition to the typical birds of the Oak woodlands at Valensin, I observed a Hammond's Flycatcher. Andy Engilis Andrew Engilis, Jr. Curator Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 USA Office Phone: 530-752-0364 FAX: 530-752-4154 E-mail: aengilisjr AT ucdavis.edu Website: http://mwfb.ucdavis.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Placer Co. 20 May 13 Soda Springs Rd. closed From: Kathryn Parker <jandkparker AT mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 08:32:09 -0700 Needed 1 bird to change color so off to Placer Co. yesterday. Yesterday I birded along Foresthill Ridge Rd. and the first 9 miles of Soda Springs Rd. A note - I was originally hoping to go all the way through on Soda Springs Rd. to get up to the Truckee area. At about 9 1/2 miles from Robinson Flat, 2 large trees had come down all the way across the road, so I had to turn back. I notified a man at the Forestry fire station who said he would notify the road dept. Started early in the AM at the Auburn Ravine Bridge to try for chaparral birds. Construction is being done on the bridge and workers are using the parking area. I was able to shovel my smallish car in, but turning around to get out was a bit hairy. I don't think I found the right area but I was able to find a rufous-crowned sparrow. Next spring I will have to get a Placer County birder to show me where to go. Spent the rest of the morning on Foresthill Ridge Rd. out to Robinson Flat. Many birds, but not a huge variety. Fox Sparrows are everywhere. A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE in a manzanita patch was #200 for Placer. Also new was a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER. Robinson Flat was pretty quiet. I started down Soda Springs Rd. A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was singing from the top of a bare tree. I didn't realize that they actually have a beautiful song, but being a thrush I am not surprised. I have only heard them do the mewing call before. As noted before, Soda Springs Rd. is blocked at about mile 9 1/2. Right before I had to turn around, I surprised a Brown Bear ambling across the road. What a treat! Having lost so much time, I decided to finally hit the Lincoln Safeway. A male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE was posing on the top of a light standard in the parking lot. Do they breed in that marshy area next to the Safeway? Looked for the reported Grosbeak on N. Brewer Rd. but didn't see it. Kathy Parker Los Gatos ------------------------------------ Subject: Merced Co. 5/20/13 From: Dominik Mosur <polskatata AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 22:23:15 -0700 (PDT) Spent the day birding various locations in Merced County today with Peter Metropulos and Logan Kahle. We started off at Basalt Campground/San Luis Reservoir, then checked out the Souza Marsh at San Luis Wildlife Refuge and later Merced NWR ending with a quick stop at the north side of O'Neill Forebay. We found decent numbers of western migrants at all our stops and a few nice surprises as well. Notable observations were: Brown Pelican - continuing bird flying low over San Luis Reservoir, observed from Fisherman's Pt. Wood Duck - 5, near Souza Marsh Canvasback - Henry Miller Rd. ponds east of Los Banos Wildlife MA Ring-necked Duck - same ponds as above BLACK TERN - 3, Merced NWR, seen flying over the only pond still holding water/west edge of Auto Tour Route, then taking off to the NW BAND-TAILED PIGEON - roosting in a tree near entrance to Basalt Campground, an extremely rare bird in Merced County it was a county lifer for all of us including Peter who started birding Merced Co. in the 1970s Western Wood-pewee - Basalt/San Luis NWR/Merced NWR, multiples at all locations HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER - Merced NWR on Meadowlark Trail, very late CASSIN'S KINGBIRD - 3 at Basalt, including pair at nest near the spring, continuing birds previously reported Red-breasted Nuthatch - Merced NWR, Meadowlark Trail, very late Swainson's Thrush - multiples at all locations Yellow Warbler - several migrants at Basalt, 5+ singing on territory in Souza Marsh Townsend's Warbler - 2-3 singing migrants at Souza Marsh MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER - Basalt Campground and Merced NWR at Meadowlark Trail Wilson's Warbler - multiples at all locations Yellow-head Blackbird - pair at Merced NWR, Bittern Trail We also kept track of raptor sightings with the following: Northern Harrier - 9, pair making food exchange near Souza Marsh Osprey - O'Neill Forebay Cooper's Hawk - displaying pair above Souza Marsh Red-tailed Hawk - 16, including two Dark-morphs soaring together over Souza Marsh Swainson's Hawk - 68 throughout the day, 28 in one field on HWY 152 just east of UC Merced American Kestrel - 9, including pair with fledged juvenile at Basalt Campground nesting in old YB Magpie nest Loggerhead Shrike - 8, two pairs each around Basalt area and San Luis NWR Dominik Mosur San Francisco http://www.flickr.com/photos/dominikmosur/ ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy From: John Sterling <jsterling AT wavecable.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 11:56:10 -0700 Steve brings up some good points and I discussed the Esparto situation with a prominent Tulare birder who called me for advice. Yolo birders reached a consensus agreement that the Esparto birds are escaped cagebirds, but I am inclined to think that the Tulare bird is wild--my gut feeling based upon the date and the fact that this species has been increasing its range with records as far north as Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley. Tulare seems well positioned to geographically for a wandering vagrant Inca Dove. John Sterling VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 26 Palm Ave Woodland, CA 95695 530 908-3836 jsterling AT wavecable.com On May 18, 2013, at 10:36 AM, Steve Hampton wrote: > FYI, for the last several years there have been 2-3 Inca Doves in Esparto, > CA (west of Woodland, Yolo County). They look and act wild. However, they > are almost assuredly escapees for the following reasons: > > 1) They hang out in town and attend feeders and have been present > year-round (not migrating). > 2) Esparto is primarily a Latino community and many have strong family ties > to Mexico. > 3) In Mexico, doves like these are commonly kept as pets. (I was recently > in Mexicali and saw dozens of Common Ground-Doves in the wild and dozens > more in cages in people's yards.) Doves are especially easy to keep in > cages. > > I strongly suspect the Esparto Inca Doves were transported here from Mexico > in cages and then escaped. I don't know what this means about the Tulare > bird, nor how one would really be able to distinguish between an escapee > and a vagrant. Note that escapees, based on the Esparto birds, can survive > years and go through molt, thus eliminating cage-wear. On the other hand, > many dove populations are expanding and the Central Valley seems like a > natural place for them. > > On Sat, May 18, 2013 at 6:48 AM, John Sterling wrote: > > > Nice work by Logan in digging up these records. > > > > > > John Sterling > > VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV > > > > 26 Palm Ave > > Woodland, CA 95695 > > 530 908-3836 > > jsterling AT wavecable.com > > > > > > Begin forwarded message: > > > > > From: "Logan" > > > Subject: [tularekingsbirds] Inca Dove vagrancy > > > Date: May 17, 2013 11:59:53 PM PDT > > > To: tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com > > > > > > Hi all, > > > I wanted to mention that this would not only represent the first record > > of Inca Dove for the Central Valley, but also a first record for Northern > > California, in my opinion an overdue one. There are many extramarital > > records of this species, and I have made a list of some of the really > > far-flung vagrants (remarkably, all the extralimital records I could dig up > > in the records committee sites were also on eBird): > > > Lake county, northern Minnesota, November 2007 > > > Rainy River county, western Ontario, October 1992 > > > Rainy River county, western Ontario, September 2001 > > > Chippewa county, Michigan, October 2008 > > > Ozaukee county, eastern Wisconsin October-November 2011 > > > Prince George's county, Maryland November 2006 > > > Cabell county, northern West Virginia December 2007 > > > Hamblen county, eastern Tennessee, November 2006 > > > Prairie county, eastern Montana December 2006 > > > > > > Looking at this data, it seems like the peak is October-December. > > However, closer to home, it seems Spring vagrants are about as numerous as > > fall vagrants in the Mojave desert and in the Great Basin. With this > > pattern of vagrancy, I believe it is certainly possible for this bird to be > > wild. > > > > > > Sweet find, Dave! > > > > > > Good birding, > > > Logan Kahle > > > San Francisco > > > > > > --- In tularekingsbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "calexandrinus" > > wrote: > > > > > > > > On May 16th Dane Fagundes thoroughly recorded an Inca Dove at his > > feeder. > > > > > > > > Local experts are sure it is an Inca Dove. > > > > > > > > Photos show no bands or signs of captivity. > > > > > > > > Papers are available on the expanding range of Inca Dove, they are > > illegal to have in captivity, and a local dove expert does not know of any > > local captives. > > > > > > > > A look at an Ebird range map will show a good number of records > > > > > > > > This is a first Central Valley Record > > > > > > > > Local and State experts feel that while not on their radar for a new > > Central Valley species they are not so surprised now that it has happened. > > > > > > > > The Tulare Co list now stands at 343 with this addition. > > > > > > > > John Lockhart > > > > Visalia > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Subject: siskins From: "Perrone, Michael AT DWR" <Michael.Perrone_Jr@water.ca.gov> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 18:56:11 +0000 On May 18 a pine siskin was near Slide Hill Park in Davis, Yolo Co., and on May 19 another was at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve. These were the first I had noted in two weeks. Michael Perrone Department of Water Resources Division of Environmental Services 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento CA 95691 (916) 376-9788 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Rose Breasted Grosbeak From: "jonetaylor" <jonetaylor1 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 02:53:20 -0000 This weekend a rose breasted grosbeak has been visiting my sunflower feeder. He is quite a beautiful bird. I have read that they are only occasionally in California. My home is near Bass Lake in central California. Happy Birding! Jone Taylor Wishon, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Swainson's Hawk? From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 16:32:49 -0700 yes, that is a Swainson's Hawk-- pale rufousy morph. Notice the white throat, dark head and breast, pointed wings. On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 3:54 PM, jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net < jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net> wrote: > ** > > > I've uploaded to the Birds of Prey folder a shot I took this morning that > I think is a Swainson's Hawk. I've only seen Swainson's a couple of times > and never in flight. This bird flew directly overhead when I had just > emerged from the path under the overpass at Pedrick Rd. off I-80 in Davis. > I'd parked in the lot off Pedrick and headed under the overpass walking > east along Putah Creek on the path that leads to the popular viewing area > near the large piles of driftwood. This area has a name that escapes me. > I'm the first to admit that I'm lousy at hawk ID so if this is not a > Swainson's, please correct me. Thanks. > > Jann Dorothy > Sacramento, CA > > > -- Steve Hampton Davis, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Swainson's Hawk? From: "jann_dorothy AT sbcglobal.net" <jann_dorothy@sbcglobal.net> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 22:54:34 -0000 I've uploaded to the Birds of Prey folder a shot I took this morning that I think is a Swainson's Hawk. I've only seen Swainson's a couple of times and never in flight. This bird flew directly overhead when I had just emerged from the path under the overpass at Pedrick Rd. off I-80 in Davis. I'd parked in the lot off Pedrick and headed under the overpass walking east along Putah Creek on the path that leads to the popular viewing area near the large piles of driftwood. This area has a name that escapes me. I'm the first to admit that I'm lousy at hawk ID so if this is not a Swainson's, please correct me. Thanks. Jann Dorothy Sacramento, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Del Puerto Canyon / San Antonio Valley From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 21:25:18 -0700 Folks, I led the my Palo Alto Adult School advanced birding group along Del Puerto Canyon and San Antonio Valley Roads again today. Conditions were cooler than last week, with many of the same birds encountered. Early highlights were in the grassland section (first 1/5 mile) with three BLUE GROSBEAKS being seen and heard. We missed Grasshopper Sparrow this week, but were rewarded at at MP3 with both ROCK WREN and COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were seen near the tree tobacco on the north side of the road. We found yet more BLUE GROSBEAKS along the cottonwood grove prior to Graffiti Rock. At Graffiti Rock itself we had a second male COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD, and the first of many RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS. Owl Canyon failed to produce any Owls, but many WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS were seen against the cliff face as well as a GOLDEN EAGLE, ASH- THROATED FLYCATCHER and SAY'S PHOEBE. In the short grass section near the corral we had a single PRAIRIE FALCON. The traditional Canyon Wren pull out where the creek crosses the road produced not only CANYON WREN, but ROCK WREN and several RUFOUS- CROWNED SPARROWS. A GREEN HERON, the first of several, was seen here. PHAINOPEPLA was seen less often today, but the first sighting was about a mile before the Frank Rains picnic area, and we continued to see the species a few other areas where mistletoe prevailed. We found at least 10 LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES throughout the day at various stops such as Frank Rains, the ATV Park, and the Junction. Along San Antonio Valley Road we found no less than 7 LEWIS'S WOODPECKER beginning about one mile south of the Junction, but continuing well past the large pond before the bend. Dragonflies / Damselflies seen: Flame Skimmer Black Saddlebags Blue-eyed Darner Common Whitetail Vivid Dancer Tule Bluet . . . Matthew Dodder Mountain View, CA http://www.birdguy.net http://www.zazzle.com/mdodder http://neornithes.wordpress.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: COSUMNES BIRDS- 18 MAY 2013 From: "John and Glennah Trochet" <trochetj AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 18:36:02 -0700 Dear Birders, This morning's Tall Forest bird survey began at the Accidental Forest, with the temperature at 36 degrees (probably a degree or two cooler to the south, where there was ground fog). After visiting that area we walked down Wood Duck Slough, crossed the berm at the pump station (where overpumping the slough had a lot of water running by and over the berm) and into the south end of the Tall Forest proper. We came out the west side road, and then finished the survey by checking the several fields recently flooded in favor of organic rice. After a brief check of Desmond Rd. and Franklin Blvd., we called it a morning. It was a wonderful day to be out there. Ed Pandolfino got us our best bird, a(nother) yellow-breasted chat. We also had two olive-sided flycatchers, loads of western wood-pewees, a singing Pacific-slope flycatcher, a silent western flycatcher, four warbling vireos, some 20 Swainson's thrushes, four yellow warblers, two Townsend's warblers, two or three Wilson's warblers, and six western tanagers. The Desmond Road pond still had two snow geese and about 10 greater white-fronteds, but we could not find the Eurasian wigeon recently there. Best, John Trochet Sacramento [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Bank Swallows, Sheridan (Placer) From: "Ron Pozzi" <gbbirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 21:17:27 -0000 5-18-2013 Greetings Birders, Scott Dietrich and I observed 2 BANK SWALLOWS in front of the CEMEX Materials Plant in Sheridan last evening. We also had 2 BLUE GROSBEAKS along North Brewer Road near a creek-like drainage canal. This morning I observed and heard a SWAINSON'S THRUSH along Linda Creek in Roseville. Get Out There! Ron Pozzi Granite Bay, CA ------------------------------------ Subject: Swainson's Hawks on Hwy. 105 From: Jeanine McElwain <jeanine.mcelwain AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 12:13:06 -0700 Hi, Yesterday evening I spotting the large flock of Swainson's hawks mixed in with great and cattle egret, sitting in a grassy field. Why would Swainson's hawks be sitting in the grass as opposed to actively hunting? Do egrets normally tolerate the proximity of so many hawks? Fascinating. Thanks, Jeanine McElwain -- Davis, CA ------------------------------------