Date: 2/17/26 5:54 pm From: Tim Bray via groups.io <tbray...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Possible offshore trip Friday
Possible Half-day offshore trip to Noyo Canyon, Friday February 20
The forecast for Friday is now showing light wind (from the south) and
seas decreasing through the day. The Kraken is available all day, so we
could depart at 10 or noon, giving us five hours on the water for $120
per person.
There isn't a whale-watching trip scheduled for that morning, so we
would probably start out looking for some Gray Whales before heading
farther offshore to the Noyo Canyon area. Out there we would look for
Dolphins (two or three species possible) and possibly Fur Seals, as well
as seabirds. Likely birds include Black-footed Albatross, Sooty
Shearwater (and perhaps Short-tailed as well), Rhinoceros and Cassin's
Auklets, and six to eight species of Gulls (including the elegant
Black-legged Kittiwake). Hoped-for birds include Laysan or Short-tailed
Albatross, Tufted or Horned Puffin, and any number of rarities.
Let me know ASAP (reply directly to me) if you can make it on Friday.
The Captain would like to have at least twenty people on board. If you
know anyone who might be interested, feel free to tell them about it.
--
Cheers,
Tim
“I now belong to a higher cult of mortals for I have seen the
albatross.” Robert Cushman Murphy, 1912
mendocinocoastaudubon.org
kzyx.org/show/ecology-hour
kzyx.org/show/oak-and-thorn
Date: 2/17/26 4:21 pm From: jackson_us via groups.io <jackson2...> Subject: [Mendobirds] A report from the south coast
2/17/26
Hi All,
There has been a sighting of a CA thrasher on the ridge behind Anchor Bay.
I just posted about it:
https://www.mendonomasightings.com/2026/02/17/a-california-thrasher-as-photo graphed-by-ron-bolander/ Ron Bolander got a great photo of it. Apparently
the bird has been here for months. I'm told the land where this bird has
been seen is near Rick's and my place so I'll be looking for it.
Also Tricolored blackbirds were seen at the Gualala Bluff Trail by Shari
Goforth last week - six or seven. I have photos of them too.
Date: 2/13/26 12:58 pm From: Robert Keiffer via groups.io <rjkeiffer...> Subject: [Mendobirds] White-throated Swift
Friday, 13 February 2026, Minimum of 8 White-throated Swifts foraging directly over Frog Woman Rock, south of Hopland, along Hwy 101. No swallows yet. Bob Keiffer. <rjkeiffer...>
Date: 2/7/26 7:32 pm From: Michael Coustier via groups.io <mcoustier...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Help with Warbler i.d.
I've only seen Yellow-rumped and Orange Warblers in Gualala.
eBird/Merlin is insisting the warbler i've identified as a juvenile orange warbler is actually a Nashville Warbler.
1. Can anyone positively id this bird?
2. If it ends up being a Nashville, eBird doesn't even give me the option to add a Nashville ( I assume based on my location )
Date: 2/6/26 12:46 pm From: Roger Adamson via groups.io <radamson...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Western Tanager in Fort Bragg
There is a Western Tanager in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Spontaneously calling prididit in the formal garden area just west of the entrance.
RHA
Date: 2/3/26 10:40 am From: jackson_us via groups.io <jackson2...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Tropical kingbird
Seen yesterday, Feb. 2, 2026
Hi All,
Michael Reinhart was photographing birds on Lighthouse Road in Point Arena
yesterday and found a Tropical kingbird. I've attached one of his photos.
Also a Ferruginous hawk.
Date: 1/28/26 9:51 am From: Roger Adamson via groups.io <radamson...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Harlequin Duck and Rock Sandpiper
A Harlequin Duck was reported yesterday (1/27/2026) via eBird. It was
reported by Joe Madden, found at Virgin Creek Beach, apparently a
female. This morning (1/28/2026) while refinding the Harlequin, Peter
Pyle and Lisa Walker found a Rock Sandpiper, also at Virgin Creek Beach.
Both birds were about 150 yds north of the creek outlet on the first
major rock outcrops.
Date: 1/24/26 10:50 am From: Roger Adamson via groups.io <radamson...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Phainopepla again
The Phainopepla continues at Parsons Creek on Old River Road. After 45 minutes of watching the trees, I heard it in the parking area behind me working in grapes along the fence. It the flew to the east of the road near the farm buildings. Also nearby was a Merlin, and the Lewis Woodpeckers continue.
Roger
Date: 1/22/26 10:34 pm From: Rain Tenaqiya 4001 Parducci Rd Ukiah, CA 95482 via groups.io <raincascadia...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Phainopepla continues to be seen
Date: 1/22/26 7:57 pm From: Richard Trissel via groups.io <rich_trissel...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Tropical Kingbird & Rock Wren in Point Arena
Hello,
This morning, 01/22/2026, at 9:00 there was a ROCK WREN on the Stornetta Property (accessed from the gate at the hard right turn on Lighthouse Road). The bird was actively feeding on the cliffside which is immediately adjacent to the fence that borders the field station that is 1 mile south of the access gate.
At 9:45 there was a TROPICAL KINGBIRD on the power line along Lighthouse Road 100 yards north of the access gate.
Date: 1/19/26 3:21 pm From: Dave Bengston via groups.io <davebengston...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Phainopepla
At 1:40 today, I stopped at the Ruddick Ranch and saw the male Phainopepla on River Road. Also present were the Lewis's Woodpeckers.
The Phainopepla was low down in the middle of the tree just above the trunk, and it let me get very close before flying. The Lewis's WPs were constantly flying in and out of the tree from about 50 yards away. They came and went about 3-4 times while I was there for 10 minutes.
The tree definitely has a bountiful food supply of mistletoe, so maybe it will hang around for a while.
Date: 1/18/26 11:14 am From: Roger Adamson via groups.io <radamson...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Burrowing Owl Fort Bragg
I refound the Burrowing Owl that was reported on the 17th on the Noyo headlands. This morning it was on the mill site just west of the drying sheds. I saw it from the west end of Pine— it was photographed in the same area on the 17th from the coast trail looking east.
RHA
Date: 1/6/26 12:17 pm From: Robert Keiffer via groups.io <rjkeiffer...> Subject: [Mendobirds] Black-capped Chickadee
6 Jan 2026 - During the CAMN - CBC last Sunday I and Alan Falleri had a brief encounter with a lone, silent, Black-capped Chickadee near the “Abalone restroom & fish-cleaning” building at the KOA campground on Kinney Lane near Manchester. This is next to the frisbee golf course and large Shore Pines at the NW corner of KOA. I believe this may be the southernmost occurrence of this species within the county. It would be nice if someone can refind this bird! There was also a Tennessee Warbler in the bottlebrush bush just the the SE of same restroom. Good birding. Bob Keiffer. <rjkeiffer...>
