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13 May Building a hummingbird's nest [Lynn Watson ] 13 May Late Red-breasted Nuthatch ["Jamie Chavez" ] 13 May All 3 Phalaropes and a Dunlin at SM Sewage ["Mark Brown" ] 13 May Miguelito Park and Ocean Park in Lompoc [Paul G Rosso ] 13 May Refugio Rd. [nancy states ] 13 May Yellow-throated Vireo moving west in I.V. as of 2 pm this afternoon ["Joan Lentz" ] 13 May Red-necked Phalaropes ["evostevensb" ] 13 May Red-necked Phalarope in Carp Salt Marsh ["robdenholtz" ] 13 May Yellow-throated Vireo in Isla Vista [Dave Compton ] 12 May Migration count notes: Botanic Garden [Florence Sanchez ] 12 May migration survey ["robdenholtz" ] 12 May Red Phalaropes everywhere ["Mark Brown" ] 12 May Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 28 - Sunday May 11, 2008 ["liskelly" ] 11 May Re: Migration Count in Montecito on May 10 [] 11 May Re: Migration Count ["sbtechmy" ] 11 May Sunday birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 10 May Migration Count in Montecito on May 10 ["Joan Lentz" ] 11 May possible Hermit Warbler ["robdenholtz" ] 10 May Farren Road ["Guy Tingos" ] 10 May Yellow head, yellow leg, and a weird swallow ["Mark Brown" ] 9 May Friday birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 9 May Goleta Slough birds [Dave Compton ] 09 May Common Loon at Sandpiper Golf Course [Florence Sanchez ] 09 May Re: Tomorrow's IMBD ["Jamie Chavez" ] 09 May Help with ID, please. ["robdenholtz" ] 09 May Re: Later Pine Siskins ["Chelsea O'Connell" ] 09 May Murre off Harbor pier ["sbtechmy" ] 9 May Tomorrow's IMBD [Rebecca Coulter ] 8 May Later Pine Siskins [Paul G Rosso ] 08 May Re: Prairie Falcon [Florence Sanchez ] 08 May Prairie Falcon [Florence Sanchez ] 7 May FW: Elegant Terns nr Fess Parker-Dbltree Hotel ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 06 May North VAFB Birds near SLC-2 ["Jamie Chavez" ] 06 May Area K at noon [Florence Sanchez ] 06 May big day by bike ["jwd2000" ] 6 May YB Magpie in SB [Rebecca Coulter ] 6 May White-crowned Sparrow [] 06 May 2 Wandering Tattlers at SB Harbor ["sbtechmy" ] 5 May Goleta birds ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 05 May Pluvialis Dyslexia ["Mark Brown" ] 05 May COPR - April, 2008 ["Callie Bowdish" ] 05 May Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 21 - Sunday May 4, 2008 ["liskelly" ] 4 May Re: Golden-Plover at SMRE 5/4/08 [Oscar Johnson ] 4 May crow chases after raven in Solomon Hills [Don Tate ] 04 May Golden-Plover at SMRE 5/4/08 ["Mark Brown" ] 04 May Area K Ibis ["Kyle Braunger" ] 4 May Late Pine Siskin [Paul G Rosso ] 3 May Cattle Egret at Area K ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 03 May Correction [Robert Lindsay ] 3 May Bates Road ["Guy Tingos" ] 03 May Saturday Goleta Birds [Robert Lindsay ] 03 May Santa Maria birds ["Mark Brown" ] Subject: Building a hummingbird's nest From: Lynn Watson <nature.shutterbug AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 20:23:29 -0700 (PDT) Came across a hummingbird building a nest at Nira campground.
http://natureshutterbug.com/wordpress/2008/05/13/building-a-hummingbird-nest/
(For Figueroa Mountain flower fans, a post about flowers found this spring:
http://natureshutterbug.com/wordpress/2008/04/18/figueroa-mountain-spring-2008/
)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Late Red-breasted NuthatchFrom: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 16:59:34 -0700 All, I had an unexpected RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH on my noon time walk today near SLC-2 on north VAFB. It was unusually tame and approachable. I suspect it was exhausted. I found it slowly foraging in the dune scrub next to the road I walk. It was odd seeing a nuthatch in coyote brush only three feet off the ground. ______________ Jamie M. Chavez Santa Maria, CA <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: All 3 Phalaropes and a Dunlin at SM Sewage From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 21:30:33 -0000 This afternoon May 13, 2008 I saw ~50 Red-necked Phalaropes, 7 Wilson Phalaropes, and one Red Phalarope. Lehman mentions a few Red Phalarope records 8-10 miles inland and one truly inland at Lake Cachuma. Congrats to the Abelas for the one they found Saturday. I also saw a Dunlin, getting late and a Lesser Yellowlegs. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 Mark Brown Santa MariaSubject: Miguelito Park and Ocean Park in Lompoc From: Paul G Rosso <prrosso AT juno.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 16:33:54 -0700 May 13th -- 8:30 am -- Miguelito Park. The best bird was a Olive-sided Flycatcher on the west slope near a deadish Oak. There were also nesting Black-headed Grosbeaks, Warbling Vireos and Pacific-slope Flycatchers. 10:00 am -- Ocean Park. There were 31 Phalaropes all in brilliant breeding plumage about 15 Red and 15 Red-necked and a single Wilson's Phalarope in the Santa Ynez River east of the RR trestle. There were 2 Brant on the shore on the ocean side of the river. Also several Dunlins in breeding plumage and several Caspian Terns. Paul Rosso Lompoc Cell: 805-588-4320Subject: Refugio Rd. From: nancy states <bnstates AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:27:01 -0700 Four of us went up Refugio Rd. this morning. It was quite good. We saw hundreds of Cliff Swallows under the bridge at the beginning of the road. Up by the first bridge there were a number of Pacific Slope Flycatchers and Warbling Vireos and a few Yellow Warblers. We also found a BLack-Chinned hummer sitting on a nest. Ther were also Bullock's Orioles in the trees. Up past the first crossing there were Black-headed Grosbeaks singing and a Phainoplepla flying back and forth from an oak tree. Up the road across from the lemon orchard , on the hill were a number of singing Lazuli Buntings and a Blur Grosbeak. Farther up at the large rock out croping we found three Canyon Wrens. The one was a young one being fed. Also on the rock ledge we watched a P.S. Flycatcher building a nest. Again many Yellow Warblers. I heard a Wood pewee in the distance. A few miles farther I saw White-throated Swifts flying over the cliff and in a tree by the road was an Ash-throated Flycatcher taking food into a hole in a tree right over the road. There were other birds nesting -local birds. It was a great morning. Nancy StatesSubject: Yellow-throated Vireo moving west in I.V. as of 2 pm this afternoon From: "Joan Lentz" <joanlentz AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:27:00 -0700 Hi All:
Wes Fritz just called to say that he & Cher Hollingworth had just seen
the Yellow-throated Vireo found by Hugh Ranson this morning. They had
followed the little creek/drainage path west of Camino Corto and kept going
past the second little wooden bridge until they hit a patch of eucalyptus
trees (the big power lines are crossing here as well) & that's where they
lost the singing Yellow-throated Vireo. They also saw a SUMMER TANAGER in
that area. This whole area is opposite where Fortuna Rd. deadends. So, you
can see that the vireo has moved a good distance west, plus a few blocks
south.
Sorry if I don't have the directions clearly enough. If you want to
call Wes, his cell is 895-0685.
Joan Lentz
Santa Barbara
Subject: Red-necked PhalaropesFrom: "evostevensb" <gaulin AT anth.ucsb.edu> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 20:24:54 -0000 Posts from elsewhere in the county motivated me to check Devereaux Slough this morning; sure enough, there were about 30 Red-necked Phalaropes easily visible just S. of the first pullout, with others scattered here and there across the Slough. Good Birding, Steve Gaulin GoletaSubject: Red-necked Phalarope in Carp Salt Marsh From: "robdenholtz" <robdenholtz AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 19:35:00 -0000 Yesterday evening, just before sunset, I spotted a Red-necked Phalarope (my first of the year, here) in the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Park, just east of Franklin Creek. It was wading, chest deep, feeding on insects. It's movements were rapid with abrupt changes of direction as it poked here and there after its prey. It remained in sight for about 10 minutes. Rob Denholtz May 13, 2008Subject: Yellow-throated Vireo in Isla Vista From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:31:53 -0700 (PDT) Hugh Ranson just called to tell me that he found a singing Yellow-throated Vireo in Isla Vista. From El Colegio Rd, go south on Camino Corto (opposite the Francisco Torres dorm building) and park where you can. A ditch runs west from Camino Corto just a short ways down from El Colegio. Walk along the north side of the ditch for about 50 yds to where Hugh found the bird. This is only about the 10th record for this species in Santa Barbara County, which until recently was on the CBRC review list. Dave Compton [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Migration count notes: Botanic Garden From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 11:56:25 -0700 This year I did a migration count at the Botanic Garden as I have done in the past. I found the situation at the Garden on Saturday, May 10 to be much as reported elsewhere in the county: low migrant activity. Nesting species however, seemed to be doing well. As I have observed in my own yard, resident species nested early this year. I had only four species of Warbler at the Garden in four hours of birding: 10 Orange-crowned (including 4 fledglings from 2 different broods), 2 Yellow (probably breeding), 1 late-ish Townsend's, and 4 Wilson's. I found 2 Swainson's Thrushes, each in a different part of the Garden. I had only 1 Western Tanager and 1 Black-headed Grosbeak (probably a breeding bird). I did not have a confirmed Warbling Vireo this year, which is very unusual, though I thought I heard one calling once. Good news was a Lazuli Bunting calling near the dam--a species that isn't there every year. I had at least 4 calling Pacific Slope flycatchers in the Garden (probably breeders), also 1 calling Western Wood-Pewee near the Campbell Bridge. More good news was a pair of Canyon Wrens actively foraging together on the Indian Trail at the bottom of the Redwood section. This was the year of the House Wren in the Garden. I had at least 6, including a pair that has nested in an ornamental bird house for sale next to the Garden shop. Bad news was the almost dearth of Hummingbirds, in spite of the abundance of Hummingbird-friendly blooms in the Garden (2 Anna's, 1 Selasphorus sp. and 1 unknown (possibly female Black-chinned). For the first year ever, I had no raptors at the Garden on, but I think that was due to the heavy overcast conditions. Florence SanchezSubject: migration survey From: "robdenholtz" <robdenholtz AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 16:22:51 -0000 On Saturday, I made the following observations at the Carp Salt Marsh
and, later, Geoff Stearns and I birded at Los Carneros:
CARP
SALT LOS
MARSH CARNEROS
Red-winged Blackbirds 12
1 Yellow-headed Blackbird
6 Bushtits
2 Coots 10 *
1 D-C Cormorant
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
5 Am. Crows 10
2 Mourning Doves 2
Ruddy Ducks 8
1 Great Egret
12 House Finches 25
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
4 Western Grebes
Black-headed Grosbeaks 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
3 Western Gulls
1 Black-crowned Night Heron
1 Great Blue Heron
Green Heron 1
1 Anna's Hummingbird 4
Scrub Jay 1
3 Killdeer
1 Mallard 6
3 Mockingbirds 4
1 Hooded Oriole 2
Black Phoebe 3
American Robins 2
5 Rock Pigeons
4 Song Sparrows
8 Starlings
1 Barn Swallow
15 Cliff Swallows 20
No. Rough-winged Swallows 6
Tree Swallows 4
California Thrasher 1
3 California Towhees 8
Turkey Vultures 15
Townsend's Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 1
warbler species 1 **
Acorn Woodpeckers 8
1 Common Yellowthroat 6
___________________________
* includes four young, losing the last of their red-orange color
** This warbler was either a Hermit with very faint wing-bars or,
less probably, a Hooded with very faint black top of head.
(Had over-all gray body, jet black throat, yellow head.)
Rob Denholtz
Carpinteria
Subject: Red Phalaropes everywhereFrom: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 03:38:04 -0000 All: Saturday I had a small push of migrants through Waller Park with oodles of Western Tanagers and Wilson's Warblers a few Yellow Warblers and a Hammond's Flycatcher. Today after reading about Jim Royer shooing a Red Phalarope off a road and Leslie Mosson seeing dozens of Red-necked Phalaropes at Oso Flaco lake on slocobirding I decided to try my luck in Santa Barbara County. Starting at Guadalupe Sewage in the ponds in the plant, I had 2 Red Phalaropes and ~100 Red-necked Phalaropes. At the agricultural pond west of Guadalupe Sewage were hundreds of Red-necked Phalaropes and two Red Phalaropes. I am certain there were more Reds but I just could not pick them out. At the Santa Maria River Estuary were 6 Red Phalaropes including one walking around. At the place where the river makes a big bend upriver was dozens of Red-necked Phalaropes and ~10 Red Phalaropes. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Regards, Mark Brown Santa MariaSubject: Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 28 - Sunday May 11, 2008 From: "liskelly" <farmer.kelly AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 03:39:44 -0000 Howdy Folks, • The Spring Migration Count Saturday 10 May uncovered some neat stuff. Many thanks to Alex and Alice Abela who slipped out without proper thanks (We'll catch up with you) and Mark Holmgren. Because of the stable high water we've had for the last 2 ½ months we have some good marshes around the lake this year. • Mark pulled out not only SORA RAIL but a VIRGINIA RAIL at the East End. Tapes played at 4 other likely marshes didn't find any others. Apparently it's too early to anticipate possible nesting, but neat nonetheless. • Of 3 SNOWY EGRETS seen, one was in very high breeding plumage with turquoise facial skin and a full set of filoplumes which it was displaying in a circular arc as it leaned forward with its head down. Beautiful display, but puzzling since no other Snowy Egrets were near it. • Alex and Alice had a single RED PHALAROPE, which I also saw later in the day. • They also found a PHAINOPEPLA on the dam; not a bird we see at the lake often. • 3 broods of AMERICAN COOTS were found; 6 broods of MALLARDS have turned out so far. • At least 2 of the 6 GREAT BLUE HERON nests in Santa Cruz Bay have 2-3 chicks each. • There were 9 active GREAT BLUE HERON nests in the large Sycamore at the East End; the chicks we could see in 3 of the nests were older than any of those in Santa Cruz Bay. • A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON roosting near the Great Blue Heron rookery at the East End was a surprise. They've been more common in previous years but have been absent for the last several. Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 28 - Sunday May 11, 2008 All sightings by Liz Mason and Melissa Kelly Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Ardea alba Snowy Egret Egretta thula Green Heron Butorides virescens Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Mute Swan Cygnus olor Wood Duck Aix sponsa Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Gadwall Anas strepera Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Common Merganser Mergus merganser Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Osprey Pandion haliaetus California Quail Callipepla californica Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo American Coot Fulica americana Virginia Rail Rallus limicola Sora Porzana carolina Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii House Wren Troglodytes aedon Wrentit Chamaea fasciata Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana American Robin Turdus migratorius California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus California Towhee Pipilo crissalis Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis House Sparrow Passer domesticus Melissa Kelly Ass't Naturalist Cachuma Lake County Park Santa Barbara County, CASubject: Re: Migration Count in Montecito on May 10 From: millett AT library.ucsb.edu Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 16:41:57 -0700 Hi All, On the morning of Migration Count Day, I also birded in Montecito -- at Lotusland. This is private property and admission is by prior arrangement. I agree with Joan that Spring migration has seemed slow this year, and numbers of some species seem low. In 2 and a half hours, migrants noted were: 6-7 Orange-crowned warblers, 2 Yellow Warblers, 2 Pacific-slope Flycatchers, and 1 Swainson's Thrush. A few White-throated Swifts were heard overhead. NO orioles, Western Tanagers or Black-headed Grosbeaks. NO Wilson's Warblers. Barb Millett Santa Barbara Quoting Joan LentzSubject: Re: Migration Count From: "sbtechmy" <sbtech AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:26:36 -0000 I went out and looked for birds Sat. morning and there were few migrants near the beach, which I somewhat expected anyway. Near the Carousel & RR tracks in Chase Palm Park were 10 Yellow Warblers with 2 Wilson's. plus 1 W. Tanager and a Bl.-headed Grosbeak. That was it for me for migrants along the waterfront and SB Bird Refuge. 6 Hooded Orioles were near the Carousel also. The best place I've found to compare the differences in Clark's and Western Grebes is from the harbor pier. There were 15 Western and 6 Clark's all easily seen off the side of the pier near the beach. Ron Hirst --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, "Joan Lentz"Subject: Sunday birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 12:48:56 -0500 All: This morning at COPR beach and Deveruex I counted the following shorebirds: SPPL - 4 BBPL - 5 SNPL - 7 Sanderling - 69 Dunlin - 2 GRYL - 3 Whimbrel - 5 RNPH - 4 At least 3 Common Loons were fishing offshore, along with a RT Loon. There was a Brant on the slough. The Patterson mitigation area was pretty dead with 2 Swainson's Thrushes being the best. Nick Lethaby DSP/BIOS, DVSDK, Codec Engine, xDAIS Product Manager Texas Instruments 805 562 5106 nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Migration Count in Montecito on May 10 From: "Joan Lentz" <joanlentz AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 21:24:55 -0700 Hi All:
I decided to go out & see if there was anything moving about birdwise in
Montecito as part of the Migration Count that I have done here for many
years.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I think this spring season has
been one of the slowest for spring migrant landbirds along the coast. Where
are they? Inland? On the slopes of Figueroa?
I have been out of town, but before I went, I observed that last Monday
there appeared to be a slight push of migrants, but today I detected none of
that.
Romero Cyn. at Bella Vista: 7:15-8:00 a.m. - here, at a spot where I've
had multiple migrants in the past, was very quiet. Lots of resident birds
calling & singing. NO Olive-sided Flycatcher, usually a regular in the
eucalyptus grove nearby, not this year. Did see an adult Gr. Horned Owl
scowling back at me from there, however.
Total migrants: 1 Yellow Warbler & it may have been a breeder.
Ennisbrook Trail: 10-11:00 a.m. - Lots of birds here, but ONE Wilson's
Warbler was the only migrant. Highest species count was for Spotted Towhee
w/ 10. At least there were a couple Warbling Vireos and a couple of
Pac.-slope Flycatchers. Creek still running well down to the first stone
bridge.
Cold Springs Crk. crossing at East Mtn. Dr.: 11-11:30 a.m. - This turned
out to be the most productive canyon for interesting birds. A Black-chinned
Hummer, up to THREE Olive-sided Flycatchers calling, a couple of Yellow
Warblers and Warbling Vireos, both of which prob. breed here, several
Western Tanagers (yay!). NO West. Wood-Pewee.
My yard the rest of the day: A family of Orange-crowned Warblers in the
pond, a Bullock's Oriole, a couple of Western Tanagers, a couple of Lesser
Goldfinches. But the most amazing sight was upwards of 150 Cedar Waxwings
all hanging at once from the branches of my Calif. Pepper treee, like
Monarch Butterflies hanging from the eucalyptus at Ellwood!! They were so
beautiful & there were close to 200 of them all in that one pepper tree this
afternoon.
So, I have to say that I had a lovely day birding, but wondered if
others found the number of spring migrants down this year, or even today?
Joan Lentz
Santa Barbara
Subject: possible Hermit WarblerFrom: "robdenholtz" <robdenholtz AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 03:18:15 -0000 Geoff Stearns and I saw a possible Hermit Warbler at Los Carneros this morning. The bird had a plain gray body, jet black throat and bright yellow head. However, it did not appear to have wing bars. We thought it might have been a way-out-of-range Hooded Warbler because there was no black hood, but realized that was unlikely. Sorry, no pics. Any ideas? Thanks, Rob DenholtzSubject: Farren Road From: "Guy Tingos" <guy.tingos AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 09:13:05 -0700 Highlights on Farren Road this morning include 3 Common Ground-Doves (around the highest knoll of avocado trees north of the reservoir), 1 Grasshopper Sparrow, 2 Wilson's Warblers, 2 Blue Grosbeaks, and at least a dozen singing Lazuli Buntings. Guy Tingos Santa Barbara, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Yellow head, yellow leg, and a weird swallow From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 06:39:29 -0000 All: This evening I saw either an aberrant Cliff Swallow, a Cliff Swallow x Barn Swallow hybrid, the melanogaster subspecies of Cliff Swallow, (Mexico/Arizona) or a Cave Swallow. The bird was making passes over the large pond at River Oak Park in Santa Maria "in company" with a Barn Swallow. There were no Cliff Swallows around. The only other swallows was a small flock of Rough-winged Swallows. First Cliff Swallows seen poorly, their heads can look all dark with no white on the forehead, but I saw the bird very well. I just could not get a good picture! The first thing I noticed about the bird was its rump was almost the same color as the Barn Swallow almost a brick red color. Most Cliff Swallows I see are buffy rumped. After a few passes I noticed that the forehead was not white but was a similar color to the rump. The bird always flew with the Barn Swallow and it had an obviously shorter and squarer tail. The whole head area was dark in some light. Other lights the crown was the same dark color as the back with the rest of the head rufousy. All of California's Cave Swallows have been from Imperial County. Barn x Cliff hybrids have been seen 4 times in California. I know where I will be on International Migratory Bird day, morning! Trying to get a picture of this swallow. I also saw a Yellow-headed Blackbird and 37 Whimbrels. At the Santa Maria Sewage I saw 3 Dunlin, 5 Wilson's Phalaropes and 3 Red-necked Phalaropes. One Lesser Yellowlegs also. http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v019n01/p0073-p0074.pdf . http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Regards, Mark Brown Santa MariaSubject: Friday birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 22:14:42 -0500 This evening I had a Say's Phoebe, probably a juv, in Storke Ranch, and 4 Dunlin, 9 BB Plovers, and 2 G. Ylegs at Devereux. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Goleta Slough birds From: Dave Compton <davcompton AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 19:59:38 -0700 (PDT) About 20 Yellow-headed Blackbirds and 1 White-faced Ibis were at Goleta Slough this evening, in an area off-limits to the public, just south of the main runway. Maybe even more surprising was a Virginia Rail that called frequently from the middle of a large area of Salicornia in the middle of the slough. I guess that's what you call migration. Dave Compton Santa Barbara [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Common Loon at Sandpiper Golf Course From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 15:01:02 -0700 Tom just called me to tell me he had an adult, breeding-plumaged Common Loon on the pond at the Sandpiper Golf Course in Goleta. The bird was calling--I could hear it through his cell phone. I think this is a first for that location. If you try for this bird, pleas remember that the golf course is private property and the area around the pond is in play as part of the course. However, you can get a good view of the pond from the path next to the Clubhouse patio--there is no need to walk further. Florence SanchezSubject: Re: Tomorrow's IMBD From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 17:31:40 -0000 Just a reminder to the group that a printable Spring Migration Count form is availabe in both Word and PDF in the Yahoo Group Files area for using in the field. Jamie Chavez Santa Maria, CA --- In sbcobirding AT yahoogroups.com, Rebecca CoulterSubject: Help with ID, please. From: "robdenholtz" <robdenholtz AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 17:29:36 -0000 I spotted this bird http://www.flickr.com/photos/25027065 AT N04/?saved=1 in the Carp Salt Marsh this morning. I'm guessing imm. Yellow-headed Blackbird. I'd appreciate some help confirming or correcting this ID. Thanks, Rob DenholtzSubject: Re: Later Pine Siskins From: "Chelsea O'Connell" <oconnell AT sbcc.edu> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 10:17:03 -0700 This morning I had a single Pine Siskin plus Lesser Goldfinches at my thistle feeder as well. Montecito/La Casa de Maria area. Has anyone been seeing juvenile California Towhee's as well? I'm almost positive there were 2 foraging on the ground below the thistle feeder (the HoFi's are making big holes in my seed sock and lots of seeds are falling to the ground!) Cheers, Chelsea O'Connell >>> Paul G RossoSubject: Murre off Harbor pier From: "sbtechmy" <sbtech AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 14:57:42 -0000 At 7am there was a murre off the east end of the harbor pier. Probably a Common Murre with white underparts and throat but I didn't see a white nape or dark eyeline at the distance. Regards, Ron HirstSubject: Tomorrow's IMBD From: Rebecca Coulter <rfcsb AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 07:06:08 -0700 Hello birders, Tomorrow is the annual International Migratory Bird Day (always the second Saturday in May), celebrated in many ways around the world. One of the ways we can do this locally is by collecting migrant bird data when we go birding tomorrow! I am again compiling data collected tomorrow from anyone who would like to keep track of what they see. At some point, I would like to explore options on eBird on how to post this and past years' data there; anyone who has any ideas about this is welcome to contact me privately about it. Until then, please send me raw data and I will compile: Excel or FileMaker documents are preferred, but I will also take Word docs. I encourage you to go out and count birds tomorrow! Please email me your results by June 15. Thank you, and great birding to everyone, Rebecca Coulter Santa Barbara Here are some tools for you to use: website for IMBD: http://www.fws.gov/birds/imbd/ Microsoft Word data collection form (out of date but still usable):  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Later Pine Siskins From: Paul G Rosso <prrosso AT juno.com> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 19:36:24 -0700 This morning, May 8th, there was a pair of Pine Siskins present at our thistle feeder on the southside of Lompoc. This is very late. Paul Rosso Lompoc Cell: 805-588-4320Subject: Re: Prairie Falcon From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 10:20:11 -0700 I forgot to mention that Tom thought this might have been in the vicinity of where Tularosa Road intersects with 246. Florence --On Thursday, May 08, 2008 9:49 AM -0700 Florence SanchezSubject: Prairie Falcon From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 09:49:27 -0700 My husband Tom reports that he found a Prairie Falcon on State Highway 246 between Buellton and the La Purisima Golf Course yesterday. Unfortunately, he didn't note the mileage. The bird was perched on a post at the edge of an open field "past the wineries." It took off, giving an excellent view of the black "armpits" in flight. Florence SanchezSubject: FW: Elegant Terns nr Fess Parker-Dbltree Hotel From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 09:02:34 -0500 All: Just forwarding this message. Nick -----Original Message----- From: kurtcapt87 AT verizon.net [mailto:kurtcapt87 AT verizon.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 7:01 AM To: Lethaby, Nick Subject: Elegant Terns nr Fess Parker-Dbltree Hotel Nick Lethaby, Probably nothing too unusual, although the recent 2 Big Day teams missed this species. Seven sitting on the beach across the street from the Fess Parker. (me? on official travel from Alexandria, VA to DARPA Kick Off mtg at the Fess Parker wish I could get out and do more than walk the beach!!!!) Kurt GaskillSubject: North VAFB Birds near SLC-2 From: "Jamie Chavez" <almiyi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 17:43:52 -0700 I checked the small pig pond willows at lunch time today which is just outside my SLC-2 workplace on north Vandenberg AFB. The pigs obviously visit daily. One day I walked up on a big sow and her three piglets. Fortunately she didn't see me coming and I slowly backed out. She was as big as a Buick. Today I was surprised to find a NASHVILLE WARBLER in the greenery along with a couple of Wilson's Warblers. The Nashville is a new bird on the "where I work" bird list. The pond is drying fast and there probably won't be much water in a month or so. I keep thinking I'll find a waterthrush or something before it dries. Yesterday there was a single male Western Tanager there. Early this morning when I stepped from my truck I heard the unmistakable "chip" of a late Yellow-rumped Warbler. I spotted the bird in a stubby pine before it flew off. I suppose a YR Warbler makes some sort of news by early May. Good birding, ______________ Jamie M. Chavez Santa Maria, CA <") ( \ / |`` [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Area K at noon From: Florence Sanchez <sanchez AT polsci.ucsb.edu> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 13:49:50 -0700 I checked the Area K portion of Goleta Slough at noon today. I found two white-faced Ibis in with the Egrets and Herons, and the Snow Goose continues. Other waterfowl included lots of Gadwall, a few Mallards, Coots, and Pied-billed Grebes. I did not find a Cattle Egret among the other Egrets. Florence SanchezSubject: big day by bike From: "jwd2000" <jdawson AT silcom.com> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 17:49:05 -0000 It was a learning experience yesterday as Kathleen and I spent about 11 hours biking around Goleta valley looking for birds. The hard part was lugging the scope around on my back, especially given the lack of birds at Area K and Goleta point. The best part is having the full view of sky and being able to hear bird songs better while on the road. I just wish we had done this one or two weeks ago. It was in general a very quiet day. We came up with 96 species. Mostly expected common species. The Osprey that was perched on the east side of Lake Los Carneros Park was a surprise (we were really looking hard for a kite which we could not find). We had 2 small flocks of Vaux's Swifts on Farren Road, and at least one White-throated Swift as well there. We had to wait about 15 minutes before we caught the song of the Grasshopper Sparrow. In the Goleta Slough mouth, there was a Red-throated Loon. To respond to Guy's recent question, we did not see any White-crowns, and were lucky to get Lark and Savannah. Certainly did not find any Nashville Warblers. Only the Yellows were common, and we found only one singing Warbling Vireo. Bird on! Jared Dawson Santa BarbaraSubject: YB Magpie in SB From: Rebecca Coulter <rfcsb AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 08:24:25 -0700 Sorry for the late notice... On Sunday morning about 8:30 I saw a Yellow-billed Magpie on a wire near the corner of Foothill Road and Calle Laureles in Santa Barbara. It had something in its bill, but I wasn't sure if it was just struggling to swallow a bulky french fry or carrying it elsewhere. I've been driving Foothill/Cathedral Oaks regularly for nearly 20 years and have never seen a magpie there. Wanderer? Escapee? Hard to know. Good birding, Rebecca Coulter Santa BarbaraSubject: White-crowned Sparrow From: <guy.tingos AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 10:29:00 -0400 A single gambelli White-crowned Sparrow is still in my backyard as of this morning. This is quite late for this subspecies to still be here. Is anyone else still seeing White-crowns? Guy Guy Tingos Santa Barbara, CASubject: 2 Wandering Tattlers at SB Harbor From: "sbtechmy" <sbtech AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 01:52:07 -0000 Two Wandering Tattlers were together on the breakwater rocks at SB Harbor this afternoon. Not rare but worth noting. Regards, Ron HirstSubject: Goleta birds From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 15:14:13 -0500 All: A quick check today hoping for Gull-billed Terns yielded gulls and terns and many bills ... Goleta Sewage Ponds: 37 Bonaparte's Gulls, an adult Forster's Tern. Ducks included what appeared to be a male Lesser Scaup, although it looked quite large. Area K: An immature White-faced Ibis and the Snow Goose. Devereux: Nothing of note Nick Lethaby DSP/BIOS, DVSDK, Codec Engine, xDAIS Product Manager Texas Instruments 805 562 5106 nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Pluvialis Dyslexia From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 05:28:08 -0000 Thanks Oscar! Yes, that is a Black-bellied Plover. One minute after I pushed the send button I figured out that the bill was much too big for a Golden Plover. One post I would have like to get back. I forgot to mention there were many Surf Scoters on the walk out to Mussel Rock. And two Common Loons out that way also. Everyone please celebrate the victory of the people's army over the French empire tomorrow by birding and finding some nice Mexican bird species who have overshot their breeding grounds, like a Cave Swallow (Nice photos Oscar!) or a Varied Bunting would be nice. Mark Brown Santa MariaSubject: COPR - April, 2008 From: "Callie Bowdish" <cjbowdish AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 03:14:09 -0000 Coal Oil Point Reserve - April, 2008 http://homepage.mac.com/cjbowdish/COPRApril2008Subject: Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 21 - Sunday May 4, 2008 From: "liskelly" <farmer.kelly AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 03:10:22 -0000 Howdy Folks, Sorry to have missed last week's lake notes; here they are: The SCRUB JAY nest in front of the nature center fledged at least 2 youngsters. A pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS are in the box on the Deodora Cedar in the Nature Center's front yard. COMMON LOONS are gone. HERRING and RING-BILLED GULLS are gone; CALIFORNIA GULLS disappeared a while ago. Most of the OSPREY and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS are gone The last WHITE PELICAN was seen Sunday April 6th. 1 AMERICAN WIDGEON and 1 RING-NECKED DUCK were seen back in Storke Flat. Been seeing about 6 EARED GREBES, all in breeding plumage in the back of Cachuma, on Santa Cruz Flat, and at Storke Flat. Seeing and hearing SORA RAILS in Santa Cruz Flat and Storke Flat. One sighting of an adult BALD E AGLE heading across the main channel and up Cachuma Bay. This week (April 28 – May 4): 4 GREAT EGRETS in the Great Blue Heron Rookery; one sitting in an old nest. Liz had 6 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS on Friday; I usually feel lucky to see one on a cruise. Yellow Warblers are everywhere, and lots of them. An adult BALD EAGLE sighting Sat, one of the resident pair perched in their `signature' tree near the intake. Another sighting of one flying over the marina this morning. A ~5 year old immature BALD EAGLE at the back of Cachuma Bay was a real surprise Saturday morning; its head and tail were still a bit dingy but for the most part white; it had 2 blue wing tags (I couldn't get the number :^( An AMERICAN COOT on a nest this morning in Storke Flat. Lots of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS at the back of Cachuma Bay this morning. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS seem to be gone. Birds of Cachuma Lake Monday April 21 - Sunday May 4, 2008 All sightings by Liz Mason and Melissa Kelly Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Green Heron Butorides virescens Great Egret Ardea alba Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Wood Duck Aix sponsa Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Gadwall Anas strepera American Widgeon Anas americana Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Osprey Pandion haliaetus California Quail Callipepla californica Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo American Coot Fulica americana Sora Porzana carolina Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Western Sandpiper/Least Sandpiper Calidris mauri/Calidris minutilla Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii House Wren Troglodytes aedon Wrentit Chamaea fasciata Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana American Robin Turdus migratorius California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus California Towhee Pipilo crissalis White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria House Sparrow Passer domesticus Melissa Kelly Ass't Naturalist Cachuma Lake County Park Santa Barbara County, CASubject: Re: Golden-Plover at SMRE 5/4/08 From: Oscar Johnson <henicorhina AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 20:07:56 -0700 (PDT) Mark et al, This looks fine to me for a Black-bellied Plover in prealternate molt. The bill is to thick, and the legs to long, and it lacks an ear spot, amongst other characteristics. And also, both species of phalaropes are represented in the photo from the sewage ponds. Good birding, Oscar Johnson Santa Barbara ----- Original Message ---- From: Mark BrownSubject: crow chases after raven in Solomon Hills From: Don Tate <osomocoso AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 15:59:16 -0700 (PDT) A crow chased after a raven over Palmer Rd in the Solomon Hills Sunday. It was only the second time in a half century that I've seen both species at the same time. Don Tate, Lompoc [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Golden-Plover at SMRE 5/4/08 From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 04 May 2008 23:04:34 -0000 All: At the Santa Maria River Estuary, specifically the beach area I saw a flock of Black-bellied Plovers and as they flew one did not have black "armpits" . Later I got a few pictures of it. I think it is an American Golden-Plover. In the Rare Birds of California book there are only two spring records accepted both from the Salton Sea. I believe that the American Golden-plovers moult at their northward resting stops on their way to the breeding grounds. (kinda like here, the SMRE) While the Pacific Golden-Plovers who are going to breed moult on the wintering grounds. (like Guadalupe Sewage)But I could be wrong. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Also along the shore were lots of Whimbrels, Sanderlings, Western Sandpipers, and a few Marbled Godwits. There was a deceased Common Murre and a live Pigeon Guillemot. At the Guadalupe Sewage plant was a few Wilson's Phalropes and Red-necked Phalaropes. Many dowitchers of both flavors I think. One lone Dunlin was there also. In the ag pond north of the Guadalupe Sewage pasture was 3 Green-winged Teal, one male Blue-winged Teal, 2 Buffleheads, 4 Northern Shovelers, lots of Cinnamon teal, Gadwalls and Mallards. Also one gigantic Canada Goose was out there. Regards, Mark Brown Santa MariaSubject: Area K Ibis From: "Kyle Braunger" <kylebraunger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 04 May 2008 22:01:43 -0000 Yesterday (5/3) and this morning, there were 7 WF Ibis at Area K, including 5 alternate plumaged adults. The "uncorrupted" Snow Goose was on the south shore taking a mid-morning sunbath. The melanistic Ruddy Duck was at its usual spot on the lake yesterday, but was not seen this morning. On Farren Road, a Common Ground Dove was calling from the fence along the west side of the avocado grove, a few hundred yards north of the reservoir. All of the birds mentioned by Rob L. in his post yesterday were easily seen, with the exception of the Grasshopper Sparrows, which were heard only. Kyle BraungerSubject: Late Pine Siskin From: Paul G Rosso <prrosso AT juno.com> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 11:46:52 -0700 This morning, May 4th, there was a male Pine Siskin present at our thistle feeder on the southside of Lompoc. This is very late. Saw a female with him on April 26th. Paul Rosso Lompoc Cell: 805-588-4320Subject: Cattle Egret at Area K From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 19:25:34 -0500 All: I forgot to mention that I had one of the Cattle Egret at Area K on Thursday. No sign of the Snow Goose. Nick Lethaby DSP/BIOS, DVSDK, Codec Engine, xDAIS Product Manager Texas Instruments 805 562 5106 nlethaby AT ti.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Correction From: Robert Lindsay <capnbob AT sbceo.org> Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 17:01:09 -0700 My post this morning should have read Semipalmated Plover at Devereaux this morning, not Semipalmated Sandpiper. Thanks for alerting me, Dave. So many names, so little brain. Rob LindsaySubject: Bates Road From: "Guy Tingos" <guy.tingos AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 14:32:49 -0700 Nothing unusual, but at least it was birdy at Bates Road this morning: Olive-sided and Pacific Slope Flycatchers, Phainopepla, Swainson's Thrushes, Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers. Carpinteria Creek birding was very slow. Looks like I managed to go this spring without seeing a single Nashville Warbler! Guy Tingos Santa Barbara, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Saturday Goleta Birds From: Robert Lindsay <capnbob AT sbceo.org> Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 11:04:38 -0700 Saturday 5/3 7:30-10:30 am Farren Road - Nearly all the good birds were in and around the Eucalyptus grove at the top of the hill. These included Western Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Ash-throated Flycatcher, a Violet-green Swallow, and Western Bluebirds. Heard but did not see at least two Grashopper Sparrow a bit farther down the road. Also saw a Raven harrassing a Red-tailed Hawk near the reservoir. Did not see Lewis's Woodpecker or Lark Sparrow for first time in several visits. Winchester Canyon - Had Northern Oriole, a Warbling Vireo, a Yellow Warbler, and a small flock of Cedar Waxwing. Lots of woodpeckers (Acorn, Downy, and Nuttall's). Nothing else of note. Devereaux Slough - An easy to find Red-necked Phalarope at the first pull-out along with a Canada Goose, a pair of Gadwall, Semipalmated Sandpiper and a Bonaparte's Gull on the far shore, and a good number of Black-necked Stilt. The second pullout had some Wigeon and a Vaux's Swift fly over. Goleta Beach - Nesting Great Blue Herons and Great Egret in the Eucalyptus across the channel opposite the restaurant. Up the channel leading to Atascadero Creek was a medium flock of Double-crested Cormorant with several sporting breeding feathers, and quite a few Western Grebes with a single Clark's Grebe among them farther up the channel.. That's all, Rob LindsaySubject: Santa Maria birds From: "Mark Brown" <lawoffmarkbrown AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 04:12:22 -0000 All: This week (April 25-May 2) in birds for the Santa Maria area: Last Friday I saw a breeding male Green Heron on Highway 166 at Alamo Creek. Lehman describes them as a rare but regular nester, it looked read to nest with day-glo orange legs. Sunday April 27 I saw a Cattle Egret at River Oak Park in Santa Maria. I also so one on that pond along the 101 north of Los Alamos Thursday. April 28th I saw an adult Glaucous-winged Gull and a bleached first/second year Thayer's Gull at the SMRE. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33835670 AT N00 . Today May 2, 2008 I heard an American Bittern at the River Oak Park in Santa Maria. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Bittern_dtl.html#sound . What a cool sound! This is a weird place with very little bulrushes to speak of. May 2 is a little late for one also. At the Santa Maria Sewage plant, there were many migrating shorebirds. There was a small flock of Wilson Phalaropes, all females in full breeding regalia. Very beautiful. Also a small flock of Red-necked Phalaropes. Luckily close to the Wilson's showing the size difference. Also a small flock of Dunlin, all with black bellies. Dozens of dowitchers mostly Long-billed but with a flock of five that were Short-billed by sound. Western, Least, Spotted sandpipers as well as Black-necked Stilts, Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, and American Avocets galore. An American Wigeon was at the sewage plant also. A handful of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were still hanging around there also. Mark Brown Santa Maria |