Date: 1/1/25 5:19 pm From: 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Fwd: [pen-bird] Help with ID-ing hawk
Forwarding this post from the Pen-Bird list to the Monterey Bay Birds
list because the location of this interesting hawk seems to be in Santa
Cruz Co. Just the messenger.
Glen Tepke
Santa Cruz
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: [pen-bird] Help with ID-ing hawk
Date: Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:57:19 -0800
From: Karen Moody - Santa Cruz Mts via groups.io
<moodykmz3...>
Reply-To: <moodykmz3...>
To: <peninsula-birding...>
In the Santa Cruz mountains, a few miles south of Castle Rock SP.
I've seen this hawk 4 times in the last 2 days. All Black Buteo shaped,
with broad wings. Overall it was somewhat smaller than the Turkey
Vultures. It had a very clear and well defined single white band on
tail. Band was near the Middle of the tail, with black on either side.
Viewed from below the wing flight feathers were lighter shade of gray,
similar to TV and when observed through binoculars faint banding was
visible on them, similar to a juvenile Red Tailed Hawk but much more
muddy shades of grey. It had very bright yellow legs with no feathers on
them, and bill was also very bright yellow. Legs and bill were so bright
they were visible without binoculars similar in color to fresh yellow
road lines. I heard it call once, screeching high pitch repeated several
times, but not as high pitched or whiney sounding as Peregrine Falcon.
Hoping to get photos.it has been hanging out with our local TVs.
Thanks for any ideas, thoughts and what else I should be looking for if
I see it again.
_._,_._,_
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Groups.io Links:
Date: 12/30/24 6:25 pm From: Arthur Macmillan <grrrrrrrrrr8...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] I don’t know what but at the river mouth now
Thanks, Breck! I suspected what it was, but I've never seen one up close.
It is pretty awesome! I guess it is not rare, and I have photographed
flocks, and very distant ones (think Watsonville Slough). And there is no
list for "Not rare, but really cool when seen up close!". I regret fumbling
with the MBBIRDS messages. I am not used to using email on my phone and
including a photo. I am a pretty basic keyboard/mouse emailer. And, somehow
I did not know it was there. So much for red alert!
Arthur Macmillan
Santa Cruz
On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 5:13 PM Breck Tyler <ospr...> wrote:
> A Brant (goose) has been there the last few days.
>
>
>
> > On Dec 30, 2024, at 4:54 PM, Jg Deva <grrrrrrrrrr8...> wrote:
> >
> > Black waterbird white jagged color
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "mbbirds" group.
> > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> > To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<3844C12D-C47A-489E-9736-80A5BB00EA72...> > .
>
>
Date: 12/30/24 12:54 pm From: 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] White Wagtail, Wilder Ranch SP
Thanks to Erik, Alex and Per Alström for the research and analysis. I
was hoping it would be ocularis, as that would be a new subspecies for
me. Oh well, maybe next time.
I thought I recalled some discussion about lugens being less common on
the west coast when the lugens White Wagtail was found by Sharon Hull in
Santa Cruz in November 2020, but I might be misremembering, or maybe the
balance has changed as more records have accumulated.
Hopefully better photos can be obtained. My own photos would have been
better if I had not inadvertently bumped my aperture down to f/25! I
was focused, so to speak, on keeping the hyperactive little bugger in
the frame and in focus, and didn't notice until it was too late.
Aiiieee! Chalk it up to wagtail fever.
Good birding,
Glen
On 12/30/2024 11:00 AM, Alex Rinkert wrote:
> There are a few additional field marks worth mentioning that can be
> important for subspecific identification of a White Wagtail with this
> appearance. At least one of the tertials is replaced, so this is
> probably a first winter bird. In my flight photos, the primary coverts
> show a good amount of white, as do the median coverts and primaries,
> with the white broadening toward the base of the latter feathers. In
> one photo of the spread tail, the right outermost tail feather appears
> solid white. I'm certainly no wagtail authority, but with the age of
> this bird in mind, it seems that these field marks and others point to
> the Black-backed (lugens) subspecies. I hope that Per Alström will
> weigh in again as more photos are obtained during its stay at Wilder
> Beach.
>
> On a side note, both the lugens and ocularis subspecies have occurred
> in SCZ, and a substantial number of records for both of these
> subspecies have accumulated in California, so one is not necessarily
> much more likely to occur here than the other.
>
> Alex
>
> On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 8:37 AM Erik Enbody <erik.enbody...> wrote:
>
> Hey Glen et al,
>
> I’ve also been curious about the subspecies on this excellent find
> by Emma Arul on the CBC and have been looking through yours and
> others photos of the bird. The identification of first winter or
> adult winter female lugens (black backed) and ocularis is not
> always possible in the field and this individual seems to be along
> this gradient somewhere. However, if the bird is a first winter,
> which I think it likely is, the white greater coverts with dark
> centers (visible in the highest resolution photos) are more
> consistent with lugens, whereas ocularis tends to retain their
> juvenile coverts into the winter (which would appear as two white
> wing bars). The thicker and messier eye stripe behind the eye is
> also closer to lugens. In some angles of photos I’ve seen, it
> looks like a few dark centers on feathers on the back, but this
> isn’t always apparent and could be a photographic artifact.
>
> I asked Per Alström, the author of the wagtail book, who agrees it
> is likely a lugens. However, he wasn’t sure it was identifiable
> from the photos available yet. If anyone can get a clear flight
> shot that shows the spread wing clearly, this would help get a
> little closer.
>
> Best,
>
> Erik
>
> --
> Erik Enbody
> Postdoctoral Scholar
> UC Santa Cruz / California Conservation Genomics Project
>
> January 2025:
> Susan E. Lynch Assistant Professor
> Department of Computational Biology
> Cornell University
> erikenbody.github.io <http://erikenbody.github.io> >
>> On Dec 30, 2024, at 1:09 AM, 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds
>> <mbbirds...> wrote:
>>
>> PS: I understand that this bird has been identified as ocularis,
>> which is the most likely subspecies here, but I am curious about
>> how the subspecies ID was determined. To my eye, the extensive
>> white wing panel, thick black post-ocular line connecting to a
>> prominent triangular post-ocular spot, and medium gray (not
>> black) crown fit Sibley's illustration of 1st winter female
>> lugens (Black-backed) just as well as any of the other plumages
>> illustrated in Sibley or Nat Geo. Several photos are in this
>> checklist:
>>
>> https://ebird.org/checklist/S207155378 >>
>> Glen Tepke
>>
>> On 12/29/2024 3:12 PM, 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds wrote:
>>> The White Wagtail on Wilder Beach continues today. Jake Gifford
>>> spotted it around 2:00 and we had it in view for about 10
>>> minutes before it disappeared. It was fairly close to the
>>> overlook, roughly between a fifth and a quarter of the way down
>>> the beach, foraging around the driftwood logs and wrack.
>>>
>>> Glen Tepke
>>> Santa Cruz
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
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>> visithttps://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<c08ad25c-9ce7-4681-a14e-0f1a4c1e1cfa...>
>
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>
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Date: 12/30/24 11:00 am From: Alex Rinkert <arinkert...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] White Wagtail, Wilder Ranch SP
There are a few additional field marks worth mentioning that can be
important for subspecific identification of a White Wagtail with this
appearance. At least one of the tertials is replaced, so this is probably a
first winter bird. In my flight photos, the primary coverts show a good
amount of white, as do the median coverts and primaries, with the white
broadening toward the base of the latter feathers. In one photo of the
spread tail, the right outermost tail feather appears solid white. I'm
certainly no wagtail authority, but with the age of this bird in mind, it
seems that these field marks and others point to the Black-backed (lugens)
subspecies. I hope that Per Alström will weigh in again as more photos are
obtained during its stay at Wilder Beach.
On a side note, both the lugens and ocularis subspecies have occurred in
SCZ, and a substantial number of records for both of these subspecies have
accumulated in California, so one is not necessarily much more likely to
occur here than the other.
Alex
On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 8:37 AM Erik Enbody <erik.enbody...> wrote:
> Hey Glen et al,
>
> I’ve also been curious about the subspecies on this excellent find by Emma
> Arul on the CBC and have been looking through yours and others photos of
> the bird. The identification of first winter or adult winter female lugens
> (black backed) and ocularis is not always possible in the field and this
> individual seems to be along this gradient somewhere. However, if the bird
> is a first winter, which I think it likely is, the white greater coverts
> with dark centers (visible in the highest resolution photos) are more
> consistent with lugens, whereas ocularis tends to retain their juvenile
> coverts into the winter (which would appear as two white wing bars). The
> thicker and messier eye stripe behind the eye is also closer to lugens. In
> some angles of photos I’ve seen, it looks like a few dark centers on
> feathers on the back, but this isn’t always apparent and could be a
> photographic artifact.
>
> I asked Per Alström, the author of the wagtail book, who agrees it is
> likely a lugens. However, he wasn’t sure it was identifiable from the
> photos available yet. If anyone can get a clear flight shot that shows the
> spread wing clearly, this would help get a little closer.
>
> Best,
>
> Erik
>
> --
> Erik Enbody
> Postdoctoral Scholar
> UC Santa Cruz / California Conservation Genomics Project
>
> January 2025:
> Susan E. Lynch Assistant Professor
> Department of Computational Biology
> Cornell University
> erikenbody.github.io
>
> On Dec 30, 2024, at 1:09 AM, 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds <
> <mbbirds...> wrote:
>
> PS: I understand that this bird has been identified as ocularis, which is
> the most likely subspecies here, but I am curious about how the subspecies
> ID was determined. To my eye, the extensive white wing panel, thick black
> post-ocular line connecting to a prominent triangular post-ocular spot, and
> medium gray (not black) crown fit Sibley's illustration of 1st winter
> female lugens (Black-backed) just as well as any of the other plumages
> illustrated in Sibley or Nat Geo. Several photos are in this checklist:
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S207155378 >
> Glen Tepke
>
> On 12/29/2024 3:12 PM, 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds wrote:
>
> The White Wagtail on Wilder Beach continues today. Jake Gifford spotted
> it around 2:00 and we had it in view for about 10 minutes before it
> disappeared. It was fairly close to the overlook, roughly between a fifth
> and a quarter of the way down the beach, foraging around the driftwood logs
> and wrack.
>
> Glen Tepke
> Santa Cruz
>
>
>
> --
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> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<c08ad25c-9ce7-4681-a14e-0f1a4c1e1cfa...> > .
>
>
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>
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*My Comcast email is deactivated as of December 10, 2023. Please use this
Gmail address for all future correspondence.*
Date: 12/30/24 8:37 am From: Erik Enbody <erik.enbody...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] White Wagtail, Wilder Ranch SP
Hey Glen et al,
I’ve also been curious about the subspecies on this excellent find by Emma Arul on the CBC and have been looking through yours and others photos of the bird. The identification of first winter or adult winter female lugens (black backed) and ocularis is not always possible in the field and this individual seems to be along this gradient somewhere. However, if the bird is a first winter, which I think it likely is, the white greater coverts with dark centers (visible in the highest resolution photos) are more consistent with lugens, whereas ocularis tends to retain their juvenile coverts into the winter (which would appear as two white wing bars). The thicker and messier eye stripe behind the eye is also closer to lugens. In some angles of photos I’ve seen, it looks like a few dark centers on feathers on the back, but this isn’t always apparent and could be a photographic artifact.
I asked Per Alström, the author of the wagtail book, who agrees it is likely a lugens. However, he wasn’t sure it was identifiable from the photos available yet. If anyone can get a clear flight shot that shows the spread wing clearly, this would help get a little closer.
Best,
Erik
--
Erik Enbody
Postdoctoral Scholar
UC Santa Cruz / California Conservation Genomics Project
January 2025:
Susan E. Lynch Assistant Professor
Department of Computational Biology
Cornell University
erikenbody.github.io
> On Dec 30, 2024, at 1:09 AM, 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> wrote:
>
> PS: I understand that this bird has been identified as ocularis, which is the most likely subspecies here, but I am curious about how the subspecies ID was determined. To my eye, the extensive white wing panel, thick black post-ocular line connecting to a prominent triangular post-ocular spot, and medium gray (not black) crown fit Sibley's illustration of 1st winter female lugens (Black-backed) just as well as any of the other plumages illustrated in Sibley or Nat Geo. Several photos are in this checklist:
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S207155378 >
> Glen Tepke
>
> On 12/29/2024 3:12 PM, 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds wrote:
>> The White Wagtail on Wilder Beach continues today. Jake Gifford spotted it around 2:00 and we had it in view for about 10 minutes before it disappeared. It was fairly close to the overlook, roughly between a fifth and a quarter of the way down the beach, foraging around the driftwood logs and wrack.
>>
>> Glen Tepke
>> Santa Cruz
>>
>>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<c08ad25c-9ce7-4681-a14e-0f1a4c1e1cfa...>
Date: 12/30/24 1:10 am From: 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] White Wagtail, Wilder Ranch SP
PS: I understand that this bird has been identified as ocularis, which
is the most likely subspecies here, but I am curious about how the
subspecies ID was determined. To my eye, the extensive white wing panel,
thick black post-ocular line connecting to a prominent triangular
post-ocular spot, and medium gray (not black) crown fit Sibley's
illustration of 1st winter female lugens (Black-backed) just as well as
any of the other plumages illustrated in Sibley or Nat Geo. Several
photos are in this checklist:
On 12/29/2024 3:12 PM, 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds wrote:
> The White Wagtail on Wilder Beach continues today. Jake Gifford
> spotted it around 2:00 and we had it in view for about 10 minutes
> before it disappeared. It was fairly close to the overlook, roughly
> between a fifth and a quarter of the way down the beach, foraging
> around the driftwood logs and wrack.
>
> Glen Tepke
> Santa Cruz
>
>
I am considering installing a nest box for W. Screech Owls on my porperty. I have heard them calling nearby over the years, and would like to provide an appropriate box/home. Does anyone in SC Bird Club have experience in this field ? Native trees on the property are Coast Live Oak, Madrone, Big Leaf Maple, and Redwoods. Thanks for the help and information. Heidi Sandkuhle
-- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software. www.avg.com
Date: 12/29/24 3:12 pm From: 'Glen Tepke' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] White Wagtail, Wilder Ranch SP
The White Wagtail on Wilder Beach continues today. Jake Gifford spotted
it around 2:00 and we had it in view for about 10 minutes before it
disappeared. It was fairly close to the overlook, roughly between a
fifth and a quarter of the way down the beach, foraging around the
driftwood logs and wrack.
Date: 12/27/24 7:12 pm From: Phil Brown <pdpbrown...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Santa Cruz CBC - preliminary results
And Black-Throated Grey Warbler, Phil Brown
On Fri, Dec 27, 2024, 13:19 Alex Rinkert <arinkert...> wrote:
> The Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count was held last Saturday, December 21. > Despite some light showers in the morning and evening, we ended up having > an excellent count. The preliminary species tally for the day stands at 183 > species, the highest total since 2005! The recent 10-year average on this > count is 167 species, so we did quite well this year in that respect. On > top of that, the army of at least 120 birders who participated in the count > was the second-best turnout ever. As usual, how the total numbers of birds > fared will only be known after we have received and compiled all the data; > keep an eye out for the final results of the count in the spring issue of > the Albatross. > > Leading a long list of highlights on count day was the WHITE WAGTAIL (2nd > count record, 6th SCZ record) found by Emma Arul and group at Wilder Beach. > Additional highlights are listed below. > > Magnolia Warbler (Davenport, 2nd count record) > Black-footed Albatross (Wilder Ranch, 1st count record) > Short-eared Owl (Wilder Ranch, first on count since 1999) > Dunlin (DeAnza Mobile Home Park seawatch, first on count since 2003) > > Continuing rarities included the following: > Lark Bunting (westside Santa Cruz, 1st count record) > Clay-colored Sparrow (westside Santa Cruz, 2nd count record) > Barrow's Goldeneye (lower San Lorenzo River, 3rd count record) > Pacific Golden-Plover (three at Wilder Ranch, 3rd count record) > Summer Tanager, Bullock's Oriole, and Yellow Warbler > > In spite of the weather, our mountain and coastal teams managed to find > just about all the species that are expected. A few species we normally > have a good chance at finding but missed this year include White-winged > Scoter, Red Phalarope, and Scaly-breasted Munia. > > Thanks to all the participants, and especially the section leaders, for > enduring the rainy weather and making this one of the better counts in > recent memory! Also, we appreciate the Santa Cruz Bird Club (specifically > Ann Chandler and Larry Corridon) for organizing a countdown dinner with hot > food and drinks at the end of a long, fun day of birding. > > Have a safe and merry rest of the holiday season, > > Alex, Nick, Phil > *Co-compilers* > > -- > *My Comcast email is deactivated as of December 10, 2023. Please use this > Gmail address for all future correspondence.* > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "mbbirds" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CABLSEopnZjsuJs7OwoOGcX%3DOC30dQDcPS17a9q%<3D68ketix7OEQ...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CABLSEopnZjsuJs7OwoOGcX%3DOC30dQDcPS17a9q%<3D68ketix7OEQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . >
Date: 12/27/24 1:19 pm From: Alex Rinkert <arinkert...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Santa Cruz CBC - preliminary results
The Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count was held last Saturday, December 21. Despite some light showers in the morning and evening, we ended up having an excellent count. The preliminary species tally for the day stands at 183 species, the highest total since 2005! The recent 10-year average on this count is 167 species, so we did quite well this year in that respect. On top of that, the army of at least 120 birders who participated in the count was the second-best turnout ever. As usual, how the total numbers of birds fared will only be known after we have received and compiled all the data; keep an eye out for the final results of the count in the spring issue of the Albatross.
Leading a long list of highlights on count day was the WHITE WAGTAIL (2nd count record, 6th SCZ record) found by Emma Arul and group at Wilder Beach. Additional highlights are listed below.
Magnolia Warbler (Davenport, 2nd count record) Black-footed Albatross (Wilder Ranch, 1st count record) Short-eared Owl (Wilder Ranch, first on count since 1999) Dunlin (DeAnza Mobile Home Park seawatch, first on count since 2003)
Continuing rarities included the following: Lark Bunting (westside Santa Cruz, 1st count record) Clay-colored Sparrow (westside Santa Cruz, 2nd count record) Barrow's Goldeneye (lower San Lorenzo River, 3rd count record) Pacific Golden-Plover (three at Wilder Ranch, 3rd count record) Summer Tanager, Bullock's Oriole, and Yellow Warbler
In spite of the weather, our mountain and coastal teams managed to find just about all the species that are expected. A few species we normally have a good chance at finding but missed this year include White-winged Scoter, Red Phalarope, and Scaly-breasted Munia.
Thanks to all the participants, and especially the section leaders, for enduring the rainy weather and making this one of the better counts in recent memory! Also, we appreciate the Santa Cruz Bird Club (specifically Ann Chandler and Larry Corridon) for organizing a countdown dinner with hot food and drinks at the end of a long, fun day of birding.
Have a safe and merry rest of the holiday season,
Alex, Nick, Phil *Co-compilers*
-- *My Comcast email is deactivated as of December 10, 2023. Please use this Gmail address for all future correspondence.*
Date: 12/25/24 2:14 pm From: Kent Johnson <kentjohnson...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Wag Tail at overlook
The White Wagtail was at the far end of the Wilder Beach midday today, on and around the biggest log down there. It was visible from the overlook, but you will need a scope to identify it at that distance.
Kent Johnson ________________________________ From: <mbbirds...> <mbbirds...> on behalf of Matthew Coale <matthewcoale02...> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 12:08 PM To: Birds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Wag Tail at overlook
Possible wag tail at Wilder beach over look Sent from my iPhone please excuse any spelling or typing errors. Matthew
The Eastern Phoebe is still being seen this morning though seems to be
disappearing for long stretches. If you go careful parking as people drive
fast on empire grade! Best parking is just south of the fields.
-Abram
Sent from my phone
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 17:36 Phoebe Jasper Barnes <jasper.barnes...>
wrote:
> Should have clarified, it was at Marshall Field on the upper campus
> trails! It was going back and forth all over the place but I got a look at
> it around here: (37.018750, -122.077250).
>
> --Phoebe
>
> On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 4:52 PM Phoebe Jasper Barnes <
> <jasper.barnes...> wrote:
>
>> Almost certainly an EASTERN PHOEBE right now up at UCSC upper campus in
>> big field just off empire grade. Singing, which is what tipped me off. Got
>> poor looks and recordings.
>>
>> —Phoebe (yes, I know!)
>>
> --
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> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CADwctd5%3DSZ2bvJpd4Hgt7qg-Ei2DVWrgooCHLNjK4%<2BUOjY7dnQ...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CADwctd5%3DSZ2bvJpd4Hgt7qg-Ei2DVWrgooCHLNjK4%<2BUOjY7dnQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Should have clarified, it was at Marshall Field on the upper campus trails!
It was going back and forth all over the place but I got a look at it
around here: (37.018750, -122.077250).
--Phoebe
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 4:52 PM Phoebe Jasper Barnes <
<jasper.barnes...> wrote:
> Almost certainly an EASTERN PHOEBE right now up at UCSC upper campus in
> big field just off empire grade. Singing, which is what tipped me off. Got
> poor looks and recordings.
>
> —Phoebe (yes, I know!)
>
Almost certainly an EASTERN PHOEBE right now up at UCSC upper campus in big
field just off empire grade. Singing, which is what tipped me off. Got poor
looks and recordings.
Date: 12/23/24 9:19 pm From: Alexander Gaguine <alexandergaguine...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Shrike at Wilder
A Loggerhead Shrike was at the top of the field along the Cowboy Loop trail at Wilder Ranch SP this afternoon. I don’t know if this was one of the places from which a shrike was reported Saturday for the CBC. It was on a strand of barbed wire.
Alexander
Date: 12/22/24 10:55 am From: <keitt.brad...> <keitt.brad...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] chat at fern grotto
No wagtail this morning but Alex found a yellow breasted chat at fern
grotto wilder ranch alongside the yellow warbler
Also a loggerhead shrike on the powerlines up the road toward town from the
farmhouse
Brad and Alex
(1234)
On Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:17 AM 'William Tyler' via mbbirds <
<mbbirds...> wrote:
> Currently swimming between trestle and pipe.
>
> Breck Tyler
> Santa Cruz
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
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> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
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> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<0B07086C-C4E1-447F-A5BA-6CF6CA6F5FE6...> > .
>
Just a quick note from the Santa Cruz CBC today (as our count ebird lists are running behind…)….a WHITE WAGTAIL was found by Emma Arul on Wilder Beach today. It was seen from the overlook on Old Cove Landing trail, and was actively foraging on the beach, occasionally resting closer to the dunes.
Kumaran Arul
Santa Cruz
Date: 12/20/24 4:26 pm From: Paul Miller <paulbug.2876...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Bald Eagle
Besides the usuals on our Zayante Trail walk this morning, we had a BALD EAGLE fly over the Henry Cowell entrance bridge/ San Lorenzo River at around 930AM. It flew upstream, toward Graham Hill Rd. and out of sight. Later, some of the group had their best sightings ever of Pine Siskin --this was a new species for some of the group. Honorable mention to Belted Kingfisher and Green Heron at Roaring Camp. Later, I scoured the Mount Hermon creeks for American Dipper, with nothing to report. Paul Miller
Date: 12/19/24 4:13 pm From: 'Steven Rovell' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Santa Cruz CBC Question
Thanks, Phoebe -
This helps a lot. Was wondering if Swanton Pond was in or out, but I see out.
If anyone else has some more insight, I’d appreciate it.
Steve
> On Dec 19, 2024, at 4:03 PM, Phoebe Jasper Barnes <jasper.barnes...> wrote:
>
> From the map I was given, it looks like the Santa Cruz CBC circle extends almost to Davenport, though I could be wrong. You should find the circle attached here as a PDF.
>
> --Phoebe Barnes
>
> On Thu, Dec 19, 2024 at 4:00 PM 'Steven Rovell' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> <mailto:<mbbirds...>> wrote:
>> Hi All -
>>
>> I’ll be participating in this Saturday’s Santa Cruz CBC and have a simple question. What are the boundaries of the North Coast territory that includes Davenport? I’m trying to see if there are any rarities I should be keeping an eye out for.
>>
>> Steve Rovell
>> Marina (yeah, Monterey County)
>>
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> <mailto:mbbirds%<2Bunsubscribe...>.
>> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<EBC4C1EF-71DE-4753-907F-5F97EB41DC87...> >
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...> <mailto:mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>.
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<CADwctd7Kf15UC4ygmh3S-cz2TwD5z0fhMXDY-ODgOUk1tM-VRg...> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<CADwctd7Kf15UC4ygmh3S-cz2TwD5z0fhMXDY-ODgOUk1tM-VRg...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
> <Santa-Cruz_CBC_Circle_Map.pdf>
From the map I was given, it looks like the Santa Cruz CBC circle extends
almost to Davenport, though I could be wrong. You should find the circle
attached here as a PDF.
--Phoebe Barnes
On Thu, Dec 19, 2024 at 4:00 PM 'Steven Rovell' via mbbirds <
<mbbirds...> wrote:
> Hi All -
>
> I’ll be participating in this Saturday’s Santa Cruz CBC and have a simple
> question. What are the boundaries of the North Coast territory that
> includes Davenport? I’m trying to see if there are any rarities I should
> be keeping an eye out for.
>
> Steve Rovell
> Marina (yeah, Monterey County)
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<EBC4C1EF-71DE-4753-907F-5F97EB41DC87...> > .
>
Date: 12/19/24 4:00 pm From: 'Steven Rovell' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Santa Cruz CBC Question
Hi All -
I’ll be participating in this Saturday’s Santa Cruz CBC and have a simple question. What are the boundaries of the North Coast territory that includes Davenport? I’m trying to see if there are any rarities I should be keeping an eye out for.
The handsome male ORCHARD ORIOLE continues at Tyrrell Park. Seen today around noon in the triangular patch of motley shrubs (ribes, coyote bush, rose hips) next to the museum. Excellent views.
Female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE also continues at the mouth of the San Lorenzo.
Date: 12/16/24 7:20 pm From: Arthur Macmillan <grrrrrrrrrr8...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Gulls + Octopuses at Capitola Beach at low tide
I was at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf yesterday and I saw a gull with a
small octopus on a joist that sticks out beyond the railing by a foot or
two. It is quite common for gulls and other birds to dine on these little
overhangs. See: https://www.flickr.com/photos/handsoff/54207765200/
I was pretty excited because I don't think I've ever seen a bird with an
octopus. You can see it was pretty small, and you would think that the gull
should have been able to eat it easily. However, you can see many possible
inky tentacle tracks on the gulls head. I have other pictures showing
tentacles around the bottom half of the bill, pinning its tongue, or the
top half of the bill. I would have thought the tentacles would be severed,
but maybe that's easier said than done! At least three times the entire
octopus was almost completely swallowed, only to be spat back up.
@ Sam, I think you photos are great! Sometimes the comment, and the
conditions make the photo. And yours conveyed the panic, and frenzy of this
strange episode. Thanks to Sam, Abram, Eric, and MBBirds! What an
interesting post!
Arthur Macmillan
Santa Cruz
On Mon, Dec 16, 2024 at 4:37 PM 'ERIC MILLER' via mbbirds <
<mbbirds...> wrote:
> A few weeks ago there were somee whalewatch boats reporting octos at the
> surface and the theory was the anchovies had sucked up all the o2 and they
> were looking for places to breath. Not sure but that was a few weeks ago we
> had all the die offs in monterey harbor- not just anchovy either.
> Eric
>
>
> On Dec 16, 2024, at 2:04 PM, Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...>
> wrote:
>
>
> Hi PSG, I am forwarding this email from a local birder here in Santa Cruz,
> CA as I think the observation is phenomenal and it I am curious if any of
> the seabird folks in PSG might have thoughts on Sam’s observation below?
>
> -Abram
>
> Sent from my phone
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 16, 2024 at 12:10 Sam Rawlins <sam.rawlins...> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I witnessed something super new, to me, on Saturday evening at low tide:
>> I went to Capitola Beach (at Britannia Arms, walking East along the coast
>> towards New Brighton), at ~4pm, for some low tide tide-pooling. However,
>> because of the storm surge (I assume), the water was completely opaque,
>> muddy brown. There wasn't a prayer of being able to see anything under the
>> surface. However, the gulls were going nuts!
>>
>> There were several dozen gulls present; I've never seen so many gulls in
>> the tide pool area, and they were all actively poking around, feeding. As I
>> watched for 45 minutes, they pulled octopus after octopus after octopus out
>> of the water.
>>
>> I* made an iNat observation for the octopuses with the best photos I
>> could manage: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/255137963 >> <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/255137963>* >>
>> Typically one gull would pull an octopus fully out of the water, an
>> octopus maybe the size of my hand, sometimes half that size, and
>> immediately 5-8 nearby gulls would jump in and start fighting over the
>> octopus. They would fight over the thing for up to a minute. I think
>> sometimes between them they managed to eat it all, and sometimes they would
>> lose the octopus in the muddy water; they were in deep-ish water (6-18
>> inches) and so each incoming wave would interrupt the frenzy. Sometimes the
>> octopus would be so small that the first gull would just take flight and
>> manage to swallow it whole within a few seconds of being pursued by the
>> others.
>>
>> *I think I saw the gulls pull out more than 20 octopuses out of the
>> water!* I've never seen anything remotely like this, and a Google search
>> didn't reveal much to me outside of a few sensationalized videos and photos
>> of "gull attacking octopus" and "octopus attacking gull", so *I'm very
>> curious to know how common this is?*
>>
>> *And why/how did it start?* There are never gulls like this at the tide
>> pools that I've seen. Is it a combination of King Tide + storm surge? Were
>> these dead octopuses? Were they dazed octopuses, knocked around by an
>> unusual surf + low tide? Do the gulls know ahead of time or can they see /
>> smell them? Or does one gull just happen upon an octopus, and then another
>> gull finds one, and then "word spreads", so to speak?
>>
>> I'd like to know because it was killing me that I only had my underwater
>> Olympus TG-6 camera, and my smartphone. If this type of event is
>> predictable, I'd love to go out there with my mirrorless camera, and get
>> some better, sharper, zoomier shots.
>>
>> (I'm not a great gull identifier, but here's what I can tell you: 4/5 of
>> them had juvenile plumage (is that weird?). Of the few adults, I think I
>> only saw Western Gulls in the melee. On the outskirts of the activity (not
>> fighting with the others) were two Ring-billed Gulls and a Great Egret.)
>>
>> *Thanks for any info!*
>>
>>
>> --
>> Sam Rawlins
>>
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "mbbirds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAP%2BE9jif40cVEx%<2BSH66y2O47FRUGB2UwdZ6m359A-CqOrFb7KQ...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAP%2BE9jif40cVEx%<2BSH66y2O47FRUGB2UwdZ6m359A-CqOrFb7KQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
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> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
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>
> --
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>
Date: 12/16/24 2:04 pm From: Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Gulls + Octopuses at Capitola Beach at low tide
Hi PSG, I am forwarding this email from a local birder here in Santa Cruz,
CA as I think the observation is phenomenal and it I am curious if any of
the seabird folks in PSG might have thoughts on Sam’s observation below?
-Abram
Sent from my phone
On Mon, Dec 16, 2024 at 12:10 Sam Rawlins <sam.rawlins...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I witnessed something super new, to me, on Saturday evening at low tide: I
> went to Capitola Beach (at Britannia Arms, walking East along the coast
> towards New Brighton), at ~4pm, for some low tide tide-pooling. However,
> because of the storm surge (I assume), the water was completely opaque,
> muddy brown. There wasn't a prayer of being able to see anything under the
> surface. However, the gulls were going nuts!
>
> There were several dozen gulls present; I've never seen so many gulls in
> the tide pool area, and they were all actively poking around, feeding. As I
> watched for 45 minutes, they pulled octopus after octopus after octopus out
> of the water.
>
> I* made an iNat observation for the octopuses with the best photos I
> could manage: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/255137963 > <https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/255137963>* >
> Typically one gull would pull an octopus fully out of the water, an
> octopus maybe the size of my hand, sometimes half that size, and
> immediately 5-8 nearby gulls would jump in and start fighting over the
> octopus. They would fight over the thing for up to a minute. I think
> sometimes between them they managed to eat it all, and sometimes they would
> lose the octopus in the muddy water; they were in deep-ish water (6-18
> inches) and so each incoming wave would interrupt the frenzy. Sometimes the
> octopus would be so small that the first gull would just take flight and
> manage to swallow it whole within a few seconds of being pursued by the
> others.
>
> *I think I saw the gulls pull out more than 20 octopuses out of the water!*
> I've never seen anything remotely like this, and a Google search didn't
> reveal much to me outside of a few sensationalized videos and photos of
> "gull attacking octopus" and "octopus attacking gull", so *I'm very
> curious to know how common this is?*
>
> *And why/how did it start?* There are never gulls like this at the tide
> pools that I've seen. Is it a combination of King Tide + storm surge? Were
> these dead octopuses? Were they dazed octopuses, knocked around by an
> unusual surf + low tide? Do the gulls know ahead of time or can they see /
> smell them? Or does one gull just happen upon an octopus, and then another
> gull finds one, and then "word spreads", so to speak?
>
> I'd like to know because it was killing me that I only had my underwater
> Olympus TG-6 camera, and my smartphone. If this type of event is
> predictable, I'd love to go out there with my mirrorless camera, and get
> some better, sharper, zoomier shots.
>
> (I'm not a great gull identifier, but here's what I can tell you: 4/5 of
> them had juvenile plumage (is that weird?). Of the few adults, I think I
> only saw Western Gulls in the melee. On the outskirts of the activity (not
> fighting with the others) were two Ring-billed Gulls and a Great Egret.)
>
> *Thanks for any info!*
>
>
> --
> Sam Rawlins
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAP%2BE9jif40cVEx%<2BSH66y2O47FRUGB2UwdZ6m359A-CqOrFb7KQ...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAP%2BE9jif40cVEx%<2BSH66y2O47FRUGB2UwdZ6m359A-CqOrFb7KQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 12/16/24 12:10 pm From: Sam Rawlins <sam.rawlins...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Gulls + Octopuses at Capitola Beach at low tide
Hi all,
I witnessed something super new, to me, on Saturday evening at low tide: I went to Capitola Beach (at Britannia Arms, walking East along the coast towards New Brighton), at ~4pm, for some low tide tide-pooling. However, because of the storm surge (I assume), the water was completely opaque, muddy brown. There wasn't a prayer of being able to see anything under the surface. However, the gulls were going nuts!
There were several dozen gulls present; I've never seen so many gulls in the tide pool area, and they were all actively poking around, feeding. As I watched for 45 minutes, they pulled octopus after octopus after octopus out of the water.
Typically one gull would pull an octopus fully out of the water, an octopus maybe the size of my hand, sometimes half that size, and immediately 5-8 nearby gulls would jump in and start fighting over the octopus. They would fight over the thing for up to a minute. I think sometimes between them they managed to eat it all, and sometimes they would lose the octopus in the muddy water; they were in deep-ish water (6-18 inches) and so each incoming wave would interrupt the frenzy. Sometimes the octopus would be so small that the first gull would just take flight and manage to swallow it whole within a few seconds of being pursued by the others.
*I think I saw the gulls pull out more than 20 octopuses out of the water!* I've never seen anything remotely like this, and a Google search didn't reveal much to me outside of a few sensationalized videos and photos of "gull attacking octopus" and "octopus attacking gull", so *I'm very curious to know how common this is?*
*And why/how did it start?* There are never gulls like this at the tide pools that I've seen. Is it a combination of King Tide + storm surge? Were these dead octopuses? Were they dazed octopuses, knocked around by an unusual surf + low tide? Do the gulls know ahead of time or can they see / smell them? Or does one gull just happen upon an octopus, and then another gull finds one, and then "word spreads", so to speak?
I'd like to know because it was killing me that I only had my underwater Olympus TG-6 camera, and my smartphone. If this type of event is predictable, I'd love to go out there with my mirrorless camera, and get some better, sharper, zoomier shots.
(I'm not a great gull identifier, but here's what I can tell you: 4/5 of them had juvenile plumage (is that weird?). Of the few adults, I think I only saw Western Gulls in the melee. On the outskirts of the activity (not fighting with the others) were two Ring-billed Gulls and a Great Egret.)
On Tue, Dec 10, 2024, 4:40 PM Ryan Phillips <norcalbirding...> wrote:
> Hi Birders,
> Following up on my Abram's ANCIENT MURRELET yesterday, as it was one of my
> biggest SC County targets, I visited the SC Wharf between 15:30-now.
>
> I excitedly relocated the ANCIENT MURRELET at the end of the wharf on the
> east side as it flew in from the south, came in close feeding on sardines?
> and moved north along the wharf and then out about 200 meters. Thanks
> Abram!
>
> Also there are 3 MARBLED MURRELETS (off end of wharf) and a WHITE-WINGED
> SCOTER (off the boardwalk near shore).
>
> Good Birding!
> Ryan
>
> Ryan Phillips
> Scotts Valley
>
>
Hi Birders, Following up on my Abram's ANCIENT MURRELET yesterday, as it was one of my biggest SC County targets, I visited the SC Wharf between 15:30-now.
I excitedly relocated the ANCIENT MURRELET at the end of the wharf on the east side as it flew in from the south, came in close feeding on sardines? and moved north along the wharf and then out about 200 meters. Thanks Abram!
Also there are 3 MARBLED MURRELETS (off end of wharf) and a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (off the boardwalk near shore).
Date: 12/10/24 2:56 pm From: Shantanu Phukan <phukan...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Snow and Greater White Fronted Geese at Wilder
There is one Snow Goose on the beach and lagoon at Wilder. At least I think it is a Snow Goose and not a Ross', given its relative size to the hundreds of Canadas it was hanging out with. But I did not have my scope on me so it was hard to be absolutely sure. I saw them from the beach overlook platform on Old Cove landing Trail.
Also, I think there were two Greater White Fronted Geese. These were even harder to make out without a scope but the legs were very orange and they were quite a bit smaller than the Canadas.
If anyone hikes the bluffs and can either confirm or emend these observations it would be marvellous.
Shantanu Phukan
-----Original Message-----
From: <ebird-alert...>
Sent: Dec 10, 2024 2:20 AM
To: <phukan...>
Subject: [eBird Alert] Santa Cruz County Rare Bird Alert
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the Santa Cruz County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Cruz County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35726 NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) (3) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 07, 2024 09:05 by Storey LaMontagne
- Wilder Ranch SP--Old Cove Landing Trail, Santa Cruz, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-122.0840338&<ll...>,-122.0840338 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S204969557 - Comments: "Continuing. Seen at close range in ag field adjacent to the main trail to the overlook platform, with KILL and WEME. About same size as KILL with short dark bill and distinct gold spotting on the mantle."
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 09, 2024 14:44 by Sharon Hull
- Sorrento Oaks, Santa Cruz, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.9947866&<ll...>,-121.9947866 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S204967128 - Media: 9 Photos
- Comments: "Tentative ID. Appeared at feeder several times, just long enough to grab a few poor photos through glass window. Heavy seed-eating bill, mostly plain eye except faint dark line through it. Very pale Buffy wing bars. A bit of blue on the shoulder, the coverts and the tail. And on the upper mandible if the photos are accurate. Appears to be some white in front of the eye and across the top of the bill. And dark area on forehead. The throat appears lighter than the breast. Short wings. Breast is streaked, vent area is unstreaked & pale to white. Approx size of house finch. Originally I was leaning toward LABU but then consulted the literature which indicates white throat & streaky breast is more consistent with INBU. Looking forward to more expert opinions on ID."
***********
You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's Santa Cruz County Rare Bird Alert
eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/
Date: 12/9/24 9:10 pm From: David Philleo <dphilleo...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Ancient Murrelet from SC Wharf
we had 4 or 6 over 10 years ago from the wharf same but not as close.
They are a striking acid. one of favorite SC county lifer sightings, and
I've never seen one anywhere since!
On Mon, Dec 9, 2024, 5:58 PM Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...> wrote:
Date: 12/9/24 5:58 pm From: Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Ancient Murrelet from SC Wharf
Tonight at sunset, there was a young ancient murrelet foraging with grebes, murres and cormorants off the east side of the Santa Cruz wharf. A first for me from the wharf!
Date: 12/9/24 5:12 pm From: Matthew Coale <matthewcoale02...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Black Skimmer
Hi All
The BLACK SKIMMER was seen around 4:20 this evening just a bit west of the dredge out flow. It took flight when the beach got busy and then landed next to the Swan Lake out flow with a flock of gulls but then flew again as the beach there got busy.
Date: 12/9/24 4:13 pm From: Chris Soriano <soriano151...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Dead Small Sora Specimen
Hi, I work at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and I forwarded the
email to our collections manager to see if she is interested. Thanks!
On Mon, Dec 9, 2024, 2:31 PM <banfield...> wrote:
> I would contact the Norris Center for Natural History at UCSC,
> 831-459-4763 or <cml...> I have brought dead specimens to them in
> the past.
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Dec 9, 2024, at 11:35 AM, A Wachtel <adamw6...> wrote:
>
> I am wondering if anyone (for research/student/conservation purposes)
> would like the carcass /body of a deceased small Sora. It seems extremely
> small, but perhaps this is because I never see them from only feet away/ in
> hand. Cause of death is most likely a window strike or a vehicle strike in
> flight and not being run over. It was found in Marina near the lake Drive
> and Reservation Road roundabout. This has been an unfortunate hotspot of
> road-killed birds and the proximity of habitat to the road seems to be an
> “ecological trap.” I have found song sparrows Pied-Bill Greebs and
> Virginia’s Rail road killed here among others.
>
> Fortunately, I already had ice packs and a spare box since I was heading
> out water sampling for work purposes. I’ll keep it on ice if anyone is
> interested.
>
> Sincerely,
> Adam Wachtel
> (831) 596-2952
>
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
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> <IMG_9576.jpeg>
> <IMG_9578.jpeg>
>
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>
Date: 12/9/24 12:26 pm From: Ryan Phillips <norcalbirding...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Black Skimmer
Black Skimmer still present at Twin Lakes where the pipeline is releasing
dredge. Next to a Bonaparte's as well as the usuals.
Ryan
Ryan Phillips
Scotts Valley
On Mon, Dec 9, 2024, 11:02 AM Sharon Hull <plants...> wrote:
> On the Twin Lakes State beach near where the bulldozer is moving sand.
> Sharon Hull
>
> 36.959927346, -122.0900368318
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
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>
Date: 12/9/24 11:35 am From: A Wachtel <adamw6...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Dead Small Sora Specimen
I am wondering if anyone (for research/student/conservation purposes) would
like the carcass /body of a deceased small Sora. It seems extremely small,
but perhaps this is because I never see them from only feet away/ in hand.
Cause of death is most likely a window strike or a vehicle strike in flight
and not being run over. It was found in Marina near the lake Drive and
Reservation Road roundabout. This has been an unfortunate hotspot of
road-killed birds and the proximity of habitat to the road seems to be an
“ecological trap.” I have found song sparrows Pied-Bill Greebs and
Virginia’s Rail road killed here among others.
Fortunately, I already had ice packs and a spare box since I was heading
out water sampling for work purposes. I’ll keep it on ice if anyone is
interested.
Date: 12/7/24 6:48 pm From: Shantanu Phukan <phukan...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Suggestions for birding Arequipa, Peru
Sorry for off topic questions but I am trawling for any information and you all are a well-travelled bunch of people.
I am going to Arequipa in Southern Peru in mid January and I would love any suggestions for birding sites either in the city or within a 100 miles of it. I have tried the internet and there does not seem to be much on specific sites since this is not a prime birding destination for people headed to Peru.
So I am hoping that one of you might have gone,and if not, then you might be able to give some leads or contacts in Peru who could help me zero in on specific birding sites.
Date: 12/7/24 5:31 pm From: Don Roberson <creagrus...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Re: Monterey County 400 Club updated
Sorry, link below —
The lists of those with over 400 birds in Monterey County has been updated as of 1 December 2024 on my website. As you will see, we have two new members: Fred Hochstaedter and Todd Easterla. Welcome to both.
Fred’s written his account (thanks!) but Todd is in the final weeks of driving throughout all of California on a possibly record-breaking State Big Year. I’ve written a short account for Todd, but he’ll provide better details and his own thoughts in 2025, and we’ll have a further update then.
I’ve posted new totals for everyone as shown in eBird or as provided directly to me, but if I missed anyone’s updated list, please let me know and I’ll fix it pronto.
Date: 12/7/24 5:30 pm From: Don Roberson <creagrus...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Monterey County 400 Club updated
The lists of those with over 400 birds in Monterey County has been updated as of 1 December 2024 on my website. As you will see, we have two new members: Fred Hochstaedter and Todd Easterla. Welcome to both.
Fred’s written his account (thanks!) but Todd is in the final weeks of driving throughout all of California on a possibly record-breaking State Big Year. I’ve written a short account for Todd, but he’ll provide better details and his own thoughts in 2025, and we’ll have a further update then.
I’ve posted new totals for everyone as shown in eBird or as provided directly to me, but if I missed anyone’s updated list, please let me know and I’ll fix it pronto.
The 68th Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Last year we had a record 130 birders participate and 33,810 birds of 171 species were tallied. While rare birds often steal the show, the Christmas Bird Count has always had an important role in monitoring the population trends of wintering birds both locally and across their range in North America.
The count documented the continued increase in Western Bluebird, Canada Goose, and Wild Turkey. We also turned up a few nice species including Harlequin Duck, Pacific Golden-Plovers, Great-tailed Grackle, and multiple Summer and Western Tanagers. What will we find this year?
Come spend the day counting birds to help us find out!
A countdown dinner will be hosted by the Santa Cruz Bird Club at the Portuguese Hall of Santa Cruz in the evening.
Date: 12/6/24 7:01 pm From: Abram Fleishman <abfleishman...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] LBBG at Old Cove Landing overlook!
Careful folks!
I agree with Al that Alpha banding codes are not ideal for sharing bird
sightings on the list serv. But I also agree with Liam and Paul that there
are lots of great resources to look up a code even if the code is wrong
(eBird and Merlin with show the black throated grey warbler even if you use
BTGW and not BTYW).
Also I second Paul’s point of posting quickly. When you are looking at a
flighty bird, 10 extra seconds staring at my phone has led me to loose the
bird several times, defeating the purpose of alerting people in the first
place. Maybe this is only relevant to those of us who are obsessively
chasing all these beautiful birds that others are finding.
Please remember that people posting here are doing so out of desire to
share with others and do so 100% out of the goodness in their heart! Don’t
complain about folks posting sighting. Keep the sharers sharing and happy
or they might stop…
-Abram
Sent from my phone
On Fri, Dec 6, 2024 at 18:29 Jean Brocklebank <jeanbean...> wrote:
> Thank you, Al. I agree.
>
> As for the need to "rush" to get the word out quickly, 10 seconds to type
> the bird's name will not make a difference.
>
> Jean
>
> On Dec 6, 2024, at 5:35 PM, 'Al Eisner' via mbbirds wrote:
>
> > The problem with such lists is that they allow you to find the code for
> > a given bird, but the reverse is not easy - there is no list there which
> > is alphabetical by code. There is really no excuse for not using the
> > NAME of the bird at its first mentioned.
> >
> > Al
> >
> > On Sat, 7 Dec 2024, liammsf wrote:
> >
> >> BEWARE: This email originated outside of our organization. DO NOT CLICK
> links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content
> is safe.
> >>
> >> LBBG = Lesser Black-backed Gull
> >>
> >> Here is a good resource for the "banding code" abbreviations commonly
> used in reference to bird species:
> >> https://www.birdpop.org/pages/birdSpeciesCodes.php > >>
> >> Cheers,
> >> Liam
> >>
> >> On Fri, Dec 6, 2024, 5:08 PM Anne Williams <annetw42...><mailto:
> <annetw42...>> wrote:
> >> Please say what an LBBG is. Thank
> >> you.
> >>
> >> On Fri, Dec 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM Tom Hambleton <tah...><mailto:
> <tah...>> wrote:
> >> The LBBG continues at Wilder. Refound by David & Andrew.
> >>
> >>> On Dec 5, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Pablo <pheady3...><mailto:
> <pheady3...>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Noah Arthur spotted a LBBG at Old Cove Landing Overlook Wilder Ranch.
> Dec 5 around 4:30.
> >>> Paul Heady
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<B3862E22-1924-4ED8-BDBC-60964D502F2E...> > .
>
Date: 12/6/24 6:29 pm From: Jean Brocklebank <jeanbean...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] LBBG at Old Cove Landing overlook!
Thank you, Al. I agree.
As for the need to "rush" to get the word out quickly, 10 seconds to type the bird's name will not make a difference.
Jean
On Dec 6, 2024, at 5:35 PM, 'Al Eisner' via mbbirds wrote:
> The problem with such lists is that they allow you to find the code for
> a given bird, but the reverse is not easy - there is no list there which
> is alphabetical by code. There is really no excuse for not using the
> NAME of the bird at its first mentioned.
>
> Al
>
> On Sat, 7 Dec 2024, liammsf wrote:
>
>> BEWARE: This email originated outside of our organization. DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
>>
>> LBBG = Lesser Black-backed Gull
>>
>> Here is a good resource for the "banding code" abbreviations commonly used in reference to bird species:
>> https://www.birdpop.org/pages/birdSpeciesCodes.php >>
>> Cheers,
>> Liam
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 6, 2024, 5:08 PM Anne Williams <annetw42...><mailto:<annetw42...>> wrote:
>> Please say what an LBBG is. Thank
>> you.
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM Tom Hambleton <tah...><mailto:<tah...>> wrote:
>> The LBBG continues at Wilder. Refound by David & Andrew.
>>
>>> On Dec 5, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Pablo <pheady3...><mailto:<pheady3...>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Noah Arthur spotted a LBBG at Old Cove Landing Overlook Wilder Ranch. Dec 5 around 4:30.
>>> Paul Heady
Date: 12/6/24 6:11 pm From: Pablo <pheady3...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] LBBG at Old Cove Landing overlook!
Often the individual is in a rush to get the information out to multiple people and any shorthand assists their attempts to get the word out. When in doubt I type the code given into Sibley’s or Merlin and the bird comes up.
Paul Heady
Date: 12/6/24 5:55 pm From: 'Al Eisner' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] LBBG at Old Cove Landing overlook!
Liam et al.:
There are over 2000 species on that list. I personslly know whst an LBBG
is. I am making a general point. Your suggestion is that everyone who
does not know the coden should do a fair amount of work to figure it
out. Whereas the first to post the code could have solved that problem
for ALL of them by just typing a few words. And that doesn't even get
at gthe occasions when the original poster guesses what seems to be the
code but in fact gets it wrong. (Consider the Black-throated G* Warblers.)
Date: 12/6/24 5:44 pm From: liammsf <liammsf...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] LBBG at Old Cove Landing overlook!
Hi Al,
Clicking the 'Alpha Codes Alphabetically by English Name' link to download
the PDF file gets you pretty close to what you are looking for. There are
very few if any alpha codes that begin with a different letter than the
English common name. Also, most pdf reader applications, even on a
smartphone, have a "Search in File" or "Find" function where you can type
the alpha code and the file should jump right to the relevant line.
Hopefully that is helpful to folks on this list. I agree that using the
common name at least once within a message is good practice, but these
resources are out there and I feel should be shared widely!
Cheers,
Liam
On Fri, Dec 6, 2024, 5:35 PM Al Eisner <eisner...> wrote:
> The problem with such lists is that they allow you to find the code for
> a given bird, but the reverse is not easy - there is no list there which
> is alphabetical by code. There is really no excuse for not using the
> NAME of the bird at its first mentioned.
>
> Al
>
> On Sat, 7 Dec 2024, liammsf wrote:
>
> > BEWARE: This email originated outside of our organization. DO NOT CLICK
> links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content
> is safe.
> >
> > LBBG = Lesser Black-backed Gull
> >
> > Here is a good resource for the "banding code" abbreviations commonly
> used in reference to bird species:
> > https://www.birdpop.org/pages/birdSpeciesCodes.php > >
> > Cheers,
> > Liam
> >
> > On Fri, Dec 6, 2024, 5:08 PM Anne Williams <annetw42...><mailto:
> <annetw42...>> wrote:
> > Please say what an LBBG is. Thank
> > you.
> >
> > On Fri, Dec 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM Tom Hambleton <tah...><mailto:
> <tah...>> wrote:
> > The LBBG continues at Wilder. Refound by David & Andrew.
> >
> >> On Dec 5, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Pablo <pheady3...><mailto:
> <pheady3...>> wrote:
> >>
> >> Noah Arthur spotted a LBBG at Old Cove Landing Overlook Wilder Ranch.
> Dec 5 around 4:30.
> >> Paul Heady
> >>
> >> --
> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "mbbirds" group.
> >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...><mailto:
> mbbirds%<2Bunsubscribe...>.
> >> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<E7A1786C-9ED1-41A3-96C7-D9304660C6D4...> > .
> >
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
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> > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
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> > To view this discussion visit
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> >
> > --
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> mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>.
> > To view this discussion visit
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> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CAEtTz5Y1Eo3jQD6UbGBVh%3DRYq7TKdO7Haw0ZnULQqarm8bi%<3D6A...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer > >.
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> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/CABZRWZDRiJWwy7VA%2Bxw-ie2VxbFLe9o%<2BcFd2VHBdnH9h06j3iQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer > >.
> >
>
> --
Date: 12/6/24 5:35 pm From: 'Al Eisner' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] LBBG at Old Cove Landing overlook!
The problem with such lists is that they allow you to find the code for
a given bird, but the reverse is not easy - there is no list there which
is alphabetical by code. There is really no excuse for not using the
NAME of the bird at its first mentioned.
Date: 12/6/24 5:08 pm From: Anne Williams <annetw42...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] LBBG at Old Cove Landing overlook!
Please say what an LBBG is. Thank
you.
On Fri, Dec 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM Tom Hambleton <tah...> wrote:
> The LBBG continues at Wilder. Refound by David & Andrew.
>
> > On Dec 5, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Pablo <pheady3...> wrote:
> >
> > Noah Arthur spotted a LBBG at Old Cove Landing Overlook Wilder Ranch.
> Dec 5 around 4:30.
> > Paul Heady
> >
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "mbbirds" group.
> > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> > To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<E7A1786C-9ED1-41A3-96C7-D9304660C6D4...> > .
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<D8E5CA59-6052-4A42-B7D2-4DAB24B46B70...> > .
>
Date: 12/6/24 2:30 pm From: Tom Hambleton <tah...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] LBBG at Old Cove Landing overlook!
The LBBG continues at Wilder. Refound by David & Andrew.
> On Dec 5, 2024, at 5:19 PM, Pablo <pheady3...> wrote:
>
> Noah Arthur spotted a LBBG at Old Cove Landing Overlook Wilder Ranch. Dec 5 around 4:30.
> Paul Heady
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mbbirds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mbbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/mbbirds/<E7A1786C-9ED1-41A3-96C7-D9304660C6D4...>
Date: 12/5/24 8:32 pm From: Kent Johnson <kentjohnson...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Panoche Valley
I visited Panoche Valley today. It still is quite dry, but there is some green coming up under the brown. It was fairly birdy, with many of the usuals. I had three Ferruginous Hawks scattered about the valley floor. A Prairie Falcon was on the gravel road by the school. A “Black” Merlin was on Little Panoche Road near its junction with Panoche Road. Several Chukar were at Shotgun Pass, toward the top. A conspiracy of Ravens had about 80 malcontents gathered together. There were huge flocks of House Finches and American Pipits, but I saw only a few Horned Larks. Lark Sparrows were scattered in small flocks and mixed in with White-crowned Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows. A Greater Roadrunner was on Panoche Road, a little east of where it turns to gravel. I had no worries fording the stream in my small SUV; I make no promises to those with lower-riding cars. Perhaps a mile (maybe less) east of the crossing were about a dozen Mountain Bluebirds, and about midway between mile markers 37 and 38 were several Sage Sparrow types; the only one I was able to study well was a Sagebrush Sparrow.
Kent Johnson
Date: 12/5/24 12:47 pm From: 'Lisa Sheridan' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Field trip coordinator needed for SCBC
Dear MBB,
The Santa Cruz Bird Club is looking for a Field Trip Coordinator to join as a Board position. This is a critical part of our club. As of January we will be without a coordinator. If you’d like to know more please contact me.
For experienced birders, please consider becoming a Field Trip Leader for the Santa Cruz Bird Club. A small stipend is available for leaders.
Thanks for considering,
Lisa Sheridan SCBC president
Date: 12/4/24 4:40 pm From: 'Roy Carlson' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] 300/400 club
My total stands at 349 - keep missing the Lark Bunting and Scarlet Tanager!
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 12:36 PM, Phil Brown <pdpbrown...> wrote:
Hi All,After another good fall for rare birds, I request bot updates to the 300 club numbers, and any new members, It does appear that there may be a new 400 club member if ebird is to be believed.Thanks, Phil Brown
Date: 12/4/24 12:36 pm From: Phil Brown <pdpbrown...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] 300/400 club
Hi All, After another good fall for rare birds, I request bot updates to the 300 club numbers, and any new members, It does appear that there may be a new 400 club member if ebird is to be believed. Thanks, Phil Brown
Date: 12/3/24 8:53 am From: larry corridon <larry961357...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Ocean warming, effects on birds, Farallon Islands
This article about is about ocean temperature rise but has information about its effects on birds. It incudes information about the Farallon Islands and studies there that might be of interest to birders in out area.
Date: 12/2/24 8:46 pm From: Liam Murphy <liammsf...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Trip Report: Panoche Valley (a few days late)
Hi MBBirders,
After reading and being inspired by the many fantastic posts to this listserv over the years regarding the Panoche Valley, I was finally able to make my first trip there over the long Thanksgiving weekend. I talked my family into an early departure on Saturday, and we all enjoyed a day of birding in a really spectacular place.
Heading through the oak foothills southeast from Paicines, we had nice looks at GOLDEN EAGLES and YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES, as well as singles of PHAINOPEPLA and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
Heading down into the valley itself, we began to see large numbers of SAVANNAH SPARROWS, a handful of LARK SPARROWS, and a VESPER SPARROW on the fences alongside the road. We heard our first AMERICAN PIPIT at one of the roadside pullouts. Near the Panoche Inn, we counted 16 LONG-BILLED CURLEW in the long dry grasses north of the road.
As we continued east through the valley, we encountered another group of 6 Curlew and heard a few KILLDEER. Sparrow numbers continued to increase, with 1 additional Vesper. We began to see a few LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE along the road. Over the fields near power lines/poles, we encountered FERRUGINOUS HAWK and PRAIRIE FALCON. While stopped, we started to catch on to what would end up being the spectacle of the day. Large tight flocks of passerines were zooming back and forth over the dry fields; just northeast of the intersection with Little Panoche Rd I estimated about 600 HORNED LARK between a couple large flocks. A few dozen more Pipit were mixed in with them too, and I may have heard a single Lapland Longspur, although I was not able to confirm that species. Near the Claravale Farm, flocks in the corrals contained over 100 TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD.
We continued east to the creek crossing beyond the Silver Creek Ranch. We elected to have lunch and turn around at that point, but the creek should still be passable with an estimated 8-12 inches of water flowing across the roadway. We continued to see big numbers of birds, including approximately 300 more HORNED LARK.
On the way back, we drove up Little Panoche Rd up to Shotgun Pass. Another Ferrug was seen in the fields on this drive. Near the intersection of the roads, we saw a single male MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. We had hoped for Mountain Plover too, but did not see any in scope scans of the fields. Near the pass, we estimated another 200 HORNED LARK, bringing our total on the day to easily 1100 of this species, amazing! Another interesting flocking spectacle was seeing about 350 HOUSE FINCH together in one spot near the solar substation.
Leaving the valley, a blackbird flock at the Spanish Cattle Company corral contained at least a couple non-local RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, which are very uncommon in the valley according to eBird. Also lots more Magpies, always special to see.
I appreciate all the folks (and especially Debi whose detailed informative posts helped me plan the day) who have posted to this list about this special place. After hoping to get there for a long time, the valley delivered a good day for us!
Date: 12/2/24 10:10 am From: <n.levendosky...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count
68th Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 21, 2024
The 68th Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Last year we had a record 130 birders participate and 33,810 birds of 171 species were tallied. While rare birds often steal the show, the Christmas Bird Count has always had an important role in monitoring the population trends of wintering birds both locally and across their range in North America.
The count documented the continued increase in Western Bluebird, Canada Goose, and Wild Turkey. We also turned up a few nice species including Harlequin Duck, Pacific Golden-Plovers, Great-tailed Grackle, and multiple Summer and Western Tanagers. What will we find this year?
Come spend the day counting birds to help us find out! Please sign up as soon as possible so we can begin making assignments for count day:
