On Wed, Nov 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM richard cimino via groups.io
<yellowbilledtours...> wrote:
> Dominik,
>
> The California Audubon web site states that Ag. Field primarily grain
> fields are the habitat of choice for nesting for TRBL. The Marin County
> Breeding Altas is in its editing stage; it would be interesting to learn if
> the Point Reyes blocks will have TRBL nesting confirmation.
>
> Audubon California web site detailing their TRBL conservation efforts:
>
> “As marshlands and native foraging areas disappeared along the coast and
> in the Central Valley, Tricolored Blackbirds became increasingly dependent
> on agricultural fields, primarily grain fields, for nesting. This puts
> colonies at risk, as farmers often need to harvest crops before chicks have
> fledged”.
>
> Rich Cimino
>
> Larkspur
>
>
>
> *From:* <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> *On Behalf Of *Dominik
> Mosur via groups.io
> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 12, 2025 11:30 AM
> *To:* <northbaybirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: [northbaybirds] Outer Point Reyes 11/10/25 - ROUGH-LEGGED
> HAWKS et al.
>
>
>
> Jeff, thank you for the added comments on Tricolored blackbirds. I should
> have been more detailed in my statements . In essence I am wondering how
> the Tricolored Population in Point Reyes will be affected by the end of
> cattle grazing and glad to hear that other habitat management will be
> employed.
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
>
>
> Dominik
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Nov 12, 2025, at 11:27, <dominikmosur...> wrote:
>
> Oh wait never mind- I see that you cc’d the list.
>
>
>
> And yes I’ll be doing Hall Ranch this year and hope to see you at the
> count down.
>
>
>
> I should have been more detailed in my statements. Obviously trikes did
> not evolve with industrial grazing, the point I was trying to make is that
> essentially all appropriate habitat for them in the state is dedicated to
> this use and was wondering how the change will affect the Point Reyes
> population going forward.
>
>
>
> d
>
>
>
> On Nov 12, 2025, at 11:23, Jeff Miller <jmiller...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Yes, please do!
>
>
>
> I hope to run into you birding sometime – are you doing the Point Reyes
> CBC?
>
>
> Jeff
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* <dominikmosur...> <dominikmosur...>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 12, 2025 11:22 AM
> *To:* Jeff Miller <jmiller...>
> *Subject:* Re: [northbaybirds] Outer Point Reyes 11/10/25 - ROUGH-LEGGED
> HAWKS et al.
>
>
>
> Hi Jeff,
>
>
>
> Thank you. Can I repost your information in this email as an addendum to
> my report?
>
>
>
> d
>
>
>
>
> On Nov 12, 2025, at 11:07, Jeff Miller <jmiller...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Thanks for the rare birds report, Dominik.
>
>
>
> I want to point out that winter foraging tricolored blackbirds are not
> necessarily dependent upon cattle ranches, though grain and silage at
> ranches is now the easiest food source for tricoloreds. Obviously
> tricoloreds did not evolve with cattle ranching since
>
> ranching didn't begin in California until the late 1700s, 250 years ago,
> while tricolored blackbirds are thought to have diverged from red-winged
> blackbirds about 10,000 years ago. Yes, due to the loss of most of their
> natural foraging habitats in California (native wetlands and upland
> habitats which have been destroyed or altered), tricoloreds are now highly
> dependent for foraging on semi-natural grasslands and artificial habitats
> like agricultural fields and croplands, as well as dairies and feedlots.
> Ideal foraging conditions for this species is not necessarily cattle
> ranches, but rather short grasslands. Yes, that habitat condition is
> currently is created at Point Reyes by overgrazing, but it can also be
> produced by burning or seasonal mowing.
>
>
>
> With the cessation of commercial ranching at Point Reyes, there will
> continue to be limited seasonal non-commercial grazing through a new
> restoration lease with The Nature Conservancy. TNC will be managing for
> native habitats and sensitive wildlife, likely using a variety of
> disturbance regimes, which will include some restricted cattle grazing, and
> could include burning and maybe seasonal mowing. There will be a public
> management plan for the former commercial ranch lease areas. The Park
> Service will also be co-managing with the Graton Rancheria, which wants to
> bring back cultural/ecological burning to Point Reyes. All of the
> conservation groups involved in the Point Reyes settlement and ranch
> retirements, TNC, the Park Service, and Graton are going to want to manage
> for sensitive species that like short grasslands, such as tricoloreds and
> burrowing owls. Birders should weigh in when the new management plan is
> being discussed.
>
>
>
> Also important to note that the commercial (over)grazing that is being
> retired has had strongly negative impacts on other native rare birds like
> snowy plovers.
>
>
>
> Jeff
>
>
>
> Jeff Miller
>
> Senior Conservation Advocate
>
> Center for Biological Diversity
>
> (510) 499-9185
>
> www.biologicaldiversity.org
>
>
>
> *From:* <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> *On Behalf Of *Dominik
> Mosur via groups.io
> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 12, 2025 10:27 AM
> *To:* North Bay Birds <northbaybirds...>
> *Subject:* [northbaybirds] Outer Point Reyes 11/10/25 - ROUGH-LEGGED
> HAWKS et al.
>
>
>
> Taking advantage of the great weather I spent Monday, 11/10, hiking the
> pastures around the ranches on Outer Point Reyes.
>
>
>
> Some bird species of note observed:
>
>
>
> Snow Goose - lone bird flew in calling from Drakes Bay over the visitor
> centerin the morning, perhaps the continuing individual that has been seen
> with some regularity around the various ranches starting in early October
> this year
>
>
>
> Lesser Scaup - a flock of 17 on the shallow Mendoza Ranch pond
>
>
>
> Ring-necked Ducks - 7 on Spaletta and 3 on Mendoza ranch ponds
>
>
>
> Long-billed Dowitcher - a juvenile was on the cattle pond near Drake's
> Corner. This bird flushed and flew off in the direction of the outer
> ranches and may have been the same individual noted on the Mendoza pond a
> few hours later
>
>
>
> Bonaparte's Gull - Mendoza pond
>
>
>
> Bald Eagle - adult flew in off Drake's Bay over the visitor center in the
> morning
>
>
>
> ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS - while walking the pastures of the Spaletta Ranch in
> the direction of Drake's Corner two juvenile Rough-legs flew over in quick
> succession heading toward the Lighthouse. About an hour later a juvenile
> Rough-legged hawk flew over the Hall Ranch/Drake's Corner heading north.
> Later a juvenile Rough-leg was observed over the pastures of the Nunes
> Ranch. I suspect the later two observations were of the first two birds
> moving around. It has been a good fall so far for this species in the Bay
> Area with multiple sightings in San Francisco and San Mateo counties.
>
>
>
> Burrowing Owls - noted in traditional spots in pastures of the Spalleta
> and Nunes Ranch.
>
>
>
> BARN SWALLOW - a late migrant flew over the Drake's Beach visitor center
> in the morning
>
>
>
> Golden-crowned Kinglets - two were in the cypresses above the Mendoza
> Ranch pond in the afternoon
>
>
>
> TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS - only ~380 noted on the day, with the largest flock
> of ~300 observed in the pastures above Nunes. While numbers of Tricolored
> blackbirds typically begin to decline by November one has to wonder what
> the effect of cessation of ranching activities on the Outer Point will have
> in the long term on this STATE LISTED species. Tricolored Blackbirds have
> been studied heavily in recent decades and found to be almost completely
> dependent on cattle ranches for foraging areas.
>
>
>
> Unusual for the date was a near complete absence of American Goldfinches
> (1!) and low numbers of American Pipits (~40, with the largest flock of 25
> flying over Nunes in the afternoon, the rest small groups and singles
> flying over throughout the day.)
>
>
>
> Complete trip report and checklists can be viewed here:
>
>
>
> https://ebird.org/tripreport/431453 >
>
>
> Happy fall birding to all,
>
>
>
> Dominik Mosur
>
> San Francisco
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
