Date: 7/15/26 8:19 am From: Bob Revel via groups.io <robrev...> Subject: Re: [slocobirding] Welcome back, Dozer!
Welcome back, Dozer – glad you will be here for the MBBF this year. The funding for this research project was cut by the Federal Gov. and you know who. There were so many of these worthy projects that were discontinued, it would be impossible to refund them all. Heather, the researcher that banded Dozer and his mate, was here for the festival 2 years ago and was able to see Dozer for the first time on his wintering grounds. A lot of knowledge was gained during the years of the study. Grateful for all of that.
From: <slocobirding...> <slocobirding...> On Behalf Of petra schaaf via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 1:25 AM
To: Slocobirding <slocobirding...>
Subject: Re: [slocobirding] Welcome back, Dozer!
I am happy to report our first encounter with Dozer since 2024. We never saw him last year.
On Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 03:14:10 PM PDT, Kaaren Perry via groups.io <surfbird1...> <mailto:<surfbird1...> > wrote:
Hi Carol.
Thanks for the updated summary. What a guy! Still sad that the funding for the project had been called off, indefinitely I assume. Too bad that MCAS and other Audubon chapters didn't take up a fund raising drive for the possibility of renewing the monitoring research project. Seems that it would be a well received donation venue. I sure know I for one would help with a little $ if I knew it was going to help. I imagine it is too late now?
On Jul 5, 2026, at 8:22 AM, RoserComeau via groups.io <80comros...> <mailto:<80comros...> > wrote:
A big congratulations to Anne Marie Bergen for spotting and photographing our celebrity Long-billed Curlew, MV Dozer, at Morro Strand State Beach on July 3rd. For those new to the SLOCO Birding Group, here's some background:
· Dozer was banded and fitted with a satellite transmitter by the Intermountain Bird Observatory in May 2020, at his breeding grounds in Indian Valley in Idaho's West Central Mountains.
· Local birder Petra Clayton first spotted Dozer on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at Morro Strand State Beach. This marks his 6th non-breeding season on the Central Coast, where he's frequently seen near Alva Paul on Morro Strand. In 2025, the Tillmans spotted him on June 28th.
· On September 11, 2024, Dozer's transmitter went silent after he lost part of the antenna on his "backpack" unit — a small piece of it is still visible.
· Mimi, Dozer's mate, was banded in early May 2021 at Indian Valley, ID. Her transmitter kept working until May 29, 2025, last signaling from an agricultural field in Mexico (32.159160, -115.075530). Since the signal hadn't moved since January, she's presumed deceased.
· Funding for the curlew monitoring program ended several years ago, so we can't confirm whether Dozer has found a new mate or had a successful breeding season this year. He's expected to stick around the Central Coast until March, so keep an eye out — you might get lucky with a sighting of our famous curlew! And even without funding, I still pass along Dozer sightings to the researchers.
