This and the other pages at the website are mostly complete but work is
still needed to the bottom of each page. See below in this email thread
for further information on Noyo Pelagics.
Anchor Charters skipper Richard Thornton reported a concentration of
close to 1000 Black-footed Albatrosses north of Noyo Canyon last week
and, weather permitting, we may try and relocate this concentration
during our full-day trip of Sunday, August 27th. About 15 albatrosses
were also seen from shore two days ago, including two that followed a
fishing boat to within a half mile of the harbor entrance. The next 2-3
months represent the peak period for numbers of this species off our coast.
The long-range forecast for the April 26th and 27th trips is for light
to moderate NW winds which are good conditions for getting the full
trips in, although it is still a bit too early to say if this forecast
will hold. We also have two full-day and one half-day trip planned for
May 9th-12th, representing the only time this year we are trying two
full-day trips in one weekend. So if you'd like to come up for two or 2
and a half trips, this would be the weekend. It coincides with our
finding 30+ Murphy's Petrels, five Hawaiian Petrels, and 9 Laysan
Albatrosses on a full-day trip two years ago.
Hope to see you up here this spring or later in the year!
Peter
On 4/11/2025 7:40 AM, Peter Pyle via groups.io wrote:
> Greetings again Bay Area -
>
> Our two April trips (see below) are filling but there are still
> opportunities to sign up. The website is still under construction but
> we have set up a method in order to sign up. The prices are $125 for
> the half-day trip on April 26th and $185 for the full day trip on the
> 27th.
>
> To sign up go to
> https://noyopelagics.com/times-directions-and-parking/. Scroll down to
> the bottom of that page and in the small calendar for April click on
> the 26th for the half-day trip and the 27th for the full day trip.
>
> Once you have made a reservation, it will ask if you want to add any
> more trips before paying. So if you want to do both days, you can add
> the second trip and pay all at once.
>
> You can also see the report from our most recent half-day trip to Noyo
> Canyon here:
> https://noyopelagics.com/pelagic_calendar/monday-half-day-noyo-canyon-mammals-and-birds/ >
>
> The Home Page at the above site has the full calendar and the "About
> our Trips" page is also complete except the list of birds and mammals
> at the bottom. We hope to have the website fully completed in the next
> week or so.
>
> Hope to see you that weekend!
>
> Peter
>
> On 4/4/2025 10:34 AM, Peter Pyle wrote:
>> Greetings Bay Area -
>>
>> Mendocino Coast Audubon Society and Noyo Center for Marine Science
>> Center will be running a number of pelagic trips out of Fort Bragg
>> this year. There will be a website with the complete schedule of
>> full-day trips, half-day trips, and 2-hour trips to do marine science
>> including deploying ROVs when conditions are good. Pending the
>> website's launch (hopefully soon) you can call Anchor Charters at
>> 707-964-4550 to reserve a spot.
>>
>> The first two trips of the season will be on April 26th (half day,
>> five hours ) and April 27th (full day, 10 hours). We will aim for the
>> Noyo Canyon on both trips and and over the continental shelf on the
>> full-day trip. This was the weekend where, many years ago, we went
>> out to deep water and had 100+ Murphy's Petrels (confirming them for
>> the state) and 130+ Horned Puffins out in these waters. Laysan
>> Albatrosses have been regular over Noyo Canyon this year and a
>> Short-tailed Albatross was spotted by fisherman there in early March.
>>
>> Future full-day trips this year will be on May 9th and 11th, June
>> 15th, July 15th, August 15th, September 7th, October 31st, and
>> November 22nd. Most of these will have half-day trips scheduled
>> within a day or so, such that those coming up to enjoy the Mendocino
>> coast can make a long weekend of it and include two pelagic trips.
>>
>> We'll announce when the website is up with full details. Hope to see
>> you up here this April or later in the year.
>>
>> Good birding!
>>
>> Peter
>
>
>
>
>
>
Heard ongoing, periodic class vocalization rendition that was 400' northeast from the main trail that heads uphill south from parking area on Lucas Valley Rd.
Heard singing in two spots from trailhead as I walked south (uphill) from road parking area on Lucas Valley Rd. turnout.
AGE & SEX:
Age Juvenile Immature Adult Age Unknown Male *2* Female Sex Unknown
Remove
*
California Towhee Melozone crissalis ( https://ebird.org/species/caltow )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number observed: 2
Details
Heard singing ~400' northeast at .4 mile into my walk uphill south from parking area on Lucas Valley Rd.
4/17/25
2. 4/17/25
At mile-marker 3.98 on Lucas Valley Road, on the south side of road, I heard one singing *Black-headed Grosbeak* and one *Warbler Vireo.*
3. 4/17/25
At the Bridgegate Rd. bridge riparian area 150' north of Lucas Valley Rd. (~2 miles west of the Loma Alta trail (Big Rock area), I heard one *Wilson's Warbler* and one *Western Flycatcher,* both first of season for me.
Date: 4/16/25 5:51 pm From: NANCY AND EUGENE HUNN via groups.io <enhunn323...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Petaluma Hike-n-Bike Big Day April 12
Hike-n-Bike Petaluma Big-Day Bird-a-thon for Madrone Audubon.
When: April 14, 2025, 5:40 AM until 2:30 PM; a fine, ultimately warm day.
Who: Gene Hunn, Annette and Craig Roth, with Nancy Hunn in support.
Where: In and around Petaluma.
How: Down from the top of Sonoma Mountain Road, then through town to the Lakeville/US101 bridge, then to Shollenberger Park and the Ellis Creek Polishing Ponds, then home via Brown’s Lane, the airport, Prince's Park, and the Lynch Creek Trail. Approximately 5 downhill miles in the Prius (to avoid life-threatening descent along Sonoma Mountain Road), 15 miles on bikes and three on foot.
Blow-by-Blow: At dawn with a setting gibbous moon and brilliant Venus we heard our first species: Wild Turkeys, Indian Peafowl (likely captives nearby), Great Horned and Western Screech Owls. Violet-green Swallows were early chirpers joined by Mourning Doves, Acorn Woodpeckers, Steller’s Jays, Northern House Wrens, and Western Bluebirds. Our next stop downhill added distant singing Song and Rufous-crowned Sparrows, both towhees, and a pair of Cooper’s Hawks. A bit further below at the high pond overlook: Wood Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks. A Great Blue Heron cruised in neck extended. As the sun peeked over the ridge, the oaks perked up with Oak Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, and a distant Hairy Woodpecker. A flowering eucalyptus offered Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, an American Kestrel, a family of Western Kingbirds, Black Phoebes, Bushtits, House Finches, Lesser Goldfinches, meadowlarks, juncos, mockingbirds, and a singing Bullock’s Oriole.
At 8 AM we regrouped at the Hunn’s house for a bite, then set off biking through the back streets of East Petaluma to Baywood. at Lakeville. Here we had a clear view of the Highway 101 bridge, home to many nesting Cliff Swallows and a few White-throated Swifts (the swifts nest in vertical drainpipes under the bridge!). Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Killdeer also nest nearby. Then along the Allman Marsh Trail beside the Petaluma River to Shollenberger Park. Here we added Willet, Long-billed Curlews, Black-necked Stilts, Greater Yellowlegs, a flock of Long-billed Dowitchers, and heard a Virginia Rail calling; also, Tree and Barn Swallows, Eurasian Collared Doves, chattering Marsh Wrens and a singing Common Yellowthroat.
Shollenberger was awash in ducks, mostly dabblers such as Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, and Gadwall, plus Buffleheads and Ruddy Ducks and two female Canvasbacks. A pair of Green Herons skulked, Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons stalked, and an American Bittern boomed right beside the trail. We counted at least 40 Mute Swans, now well established in the three county North Bay region (though still considered provisional by the California Records Committee). Avocets and Least Sandpipers were numerous. We spotted a few distant Black-bellied Plovers and checked a group of gulls still hanging around that included Western, Ring-billed, California, and a Glaucous-winged.
On to the Ellis Creek ponds hoping to pad our list. Vocal Pied-billed Grebes and Double-crested Cormorants (on nests in the eucalyptus) were easy additions. Other additions were like pulling teeth, but sharp-eyed Annette picked out a skulking Common Gallinule and a cruise-by Northern Harrier, while Craig spotted our only Common Goldeneye, our only Black-crowned Night-Heron, a migrating flock of Cackling Geese, and a soaring Swainson’s Hawk, this last a high point of the day. Hunn managed to spot a pair of Cinnamon Teal and a late Greater Scaup through the sewage treatment plant gate. A single Great-tailed Grackle squawked in the reeds; normally abundant wintering birds such as White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows were few and far between as were Yellow-rumped Warblers, but we pulled out few of each. We paused for a sandwich and an unofficial tally of the day list to that point: 99! Not counting the Mute Swans and peafowls.
The long ride back to the Hunn’s for a beer and snacks was largely uneventful but for a hair-raising half mile ride out the Lakeville racetrack to look for the scaup Gene had spotted the day before and the staked-out Hooded Orioles on Lynch Creek to wrap up the day. Final tally, 102.
Date: 4/15/25 8:36 am From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] 2 — Addendum from my initial post a moment ago: 2 Lark Sparrows Singing
By the way, I should have noted in my last post:
A sporadic, locally common resident — Lark Sparrow — in the NBB is easy to see and hear singing now
at Mt. Burdell within the meadow that is .4 mile from the San Andreas Drive trailhead.
After ascending the trail and it evens out, there's a 6-foot-long log on the trail's left side. I often see Lark
Sparrow here on the ground or on the log.....4/14/25 also included two singing individuals that I heard first, then
saw up close in this area. Handsome sparrow species (!) :-)
1 *CHIPPING SPARROW* Saw one close-up on ground before it flew to a nearby oak branch where a group of large Valley White and Oregon Oak occur next to both sides of the trail as it ascends northeast from the flat meadow trail area.
Heard two singing individuals in the southern part of the meadow and saw one at CLOSE range on a fencepost before it flew. Characteristic white outer tail feathers were seen on fleeing individual.
Heard two different classic calls (one a chip note and the other a rattle), then the melodic, classic song amid the large Valley White Oak and Oregon Oak in the north-northeastern portion of the meadow...and where the trail begins to ascend as you leave the meadow. Given female may potentially periodically sing, I marked the sex below as "unknown."
Heard two classic songs from different individuals within 400' of where the trailhead begins at the San Andreas Drive parking area where it dead ends.
*2 singing YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER* I was not surprised to hear the annual singing of this common, ubiquitous non-breeding resident at three spots amid my 2.3-mile bike ride here......given this species nests at sporadically at some high altitude portions of the NBB, including Mt. Burdell....but, otherwise, sings among flatter areas before leaving (or while dispersing/migrating) in the NBB in April. Do I hear this species singing at lower altitude in Marin other than April annually. No. Never in the past 39 years since I've been in the Bay Area/Marin.....But listen carefully now if you wish and you'll hear this species singing before they soon leave flatland areas for nesting elsewhere (Likewise, Townsend's Warbler is another NBB non-breeding season resident that sings in our region in April before leaving to nest elsewhere). 4/13/25 Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds, San Rafael *6 BLUE-WINGED TEAL* *....* in the sludge ponds (football field enclosure within a barbed wire fence immediately east of pond #2 along the main trail running north-northeast from the parking lot). *1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS* *....* in pond #1 (visually seen and heard calling with aberrant, less common call than the too-too....though I heard the double too-too call also. *6 BONAPARTE'S GULL*....in pond #2, though Bob Atwood spotted 60 before I arrived. 4/13/25 Marsh Drive flooded area (ephemeral pond that is 150-200 acres at Hwy. 37 & Hwy. 101 (southwest corner) *62 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE*
Regards, Daniel Edelstein Novato, CA WarblerWatch.com
Date: 4/14/25 11:00 pm From: Josiah Clark via groups.io <josiah.clark621...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Marin Big Day by bicycle report April 11
On Friday April 11, 2025 Cedric Duhalde, Jonah, Benningfield, Eric Heisy
and Josiah Clark ran a big day by bicycle in Marin. We rode about 75 miles,
climbed 5000 feet of elevation and observed 156 species (with some dirty
birds) at last count.
Highlights included the continuing tufted duck, least bittern, snow and
white-fronted goose, burrowing owl, snowy plovers, 4 species of rail, 8
species of sparrow, both orioles, BG gnatcatcher, black-throated gray
warbler and 15+purple martins.
As for the state of the migration in my experience: the numbers of Wilson’s
warblers, warbling vireos, and Pacific-slope flycatchers were notably low
even for this early date. Hopefully more will come in along with the
species we missed.
High numbers and diversity of ducks still remain, and the shorebird
migration, especially at Hamilton Field was impressive.
Large numbers of crowned sparrows remain on the Bayshore but Fox, RC
kinglet, Say’s Phoebe,varied thrushes were already not to be found.
It seemed that there were lots of hawks and swallows moving but thermals
and high winds had them out of view and quickly on the move with the first
thermals around 11 AM.
In the beginning:
We pedaled swiftly and quietly through the pre-dawn hours at the Rush Creek
preserve, a full moon and starry sky reflecting off the water as we left
the parked truck and freeway noise behind.
Where the valley Oaks meet the pickleweed is where we spent a very
beautiful and productive dawn chorus. After scoring the tufted duck among
throngs of waterfowl we booked south through Pacheco Pond, Hamilton Field
and Las gallinas. This portion was gorgeous and simply nuts.
From there we booked up Lucas Valley Road, up and over Loma Alta, through
Fairfax up to Carson Ridge, Alpine Lake and up Ridgecrest before a fast
decent into Sausalito at sunset with not enough time to fully take
advantage of the bay or ocean.
The remarkable abundance and diversity of the first part of the route
combined with excellent ears and previously scouted birds had us leaving
las gallinas with 132 species but at 130pm, much later than I had hoped.
In the end, the huge elevation gains we took on and many miles of trail
did not pay off where they have in recent years. Horned lark, Meadowlark
and Gnatcatcher usually require a trip to Loma Alta to see them in April.
Lazuli Buntings were not in yet and Rufus-crowned sparrows are increasingly
easy to miss there, and we did.
Strong gusting winds, a fast pace and the early date did not help, but I
was still surprised that with such remarkable young years in the group we
still missed migrant ash- throated-flycatcher, black-headed Grosbeak,
Western Kingbird and hermit warbler for the day.
We could not find a single golden-crowned Kinglet or red-breasted nuthatch,
which have always been expected, easy to detect year-round residents on the
conifer dominated ridge tops. In contrast Pileated woodpeckers are hard to
pin down, but two called for us. We were not so lucky with the Red
Crossbill or lingering varied thrushes I’ve had in the past.
With more hills lasting longer than I remembered, and a crew of
young companions who either did not look at the map and/or “thought you
must have been joking”, I could read the looks of annoyment in their faces.
. Even when the Ridgecrest appeared to go on forever and there were no
“new” birds to be had, we could not help but be overtaken by the
grandeur of the scenery.
By the time we reached the rock Springs parking lot the sun, blood sugar
and patience were getting low. It was all downhill from there, or flat.
(Really this time it was.) We were soon scanning the bay, picking up much
needed, but not super exciting species, including spotted sandpiper, Brants
cormorant and finally a brown pelican, flying in the lights beneath the
Golden Gate Bridge.
A much more sane, less strenuous and boring final chapter to this Big
Day probably would’ve gotten us more species in the end. Looking forward to
the seeing the various permutations of the route these young bucks come up
with in the years ahead.
I suspect they’ll break the biking big day county record of 163 species, a
record set in late April with Brian Turner about a decade ago.
Josiah Clark | Habitat Potential | Consulting Ecologist | 415.317.3978
License #1043929
habitatpotential.net
www.youtube.com/josiahmtclark
Date: 4/10/25 7:53 am From: Ellen Rilla-Laherty via groups.io <erilla...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
Many bat spp are migrating. We had one land on our property on a shrub and it was gone several hour's later.
Ellie
Sebastopol
Date: 4/9/25 7:21 pm From: Diane Hichwa via groups.io <dhichwa...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
It has been great information about our “other” flying wonders besides birds.
So Co Wildlife Rescue is the local rehab group.
Yolo is amazing in the walks and talks they give.
Norcalbats works with them.
Great people, great jobs done.
Diane Hichwa
Email: <dhichwa...>
Telephone: 707-785-1922 (Sea Ranch)
707-483-3130 (cell)
More Tail Wagging!!! Less Barking!!
Millie 2007
From: <northbaybirds...> on behalf of "Michael Mecham via groups.io" <mikemecham46...>
Reply-To: <mikemecham46...>
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
To: <dominikmosur...>
Cc: <rainisugg...>, <MLahiff...>, <mike.carozza...>, <northbaybirds...>, Diane Hichwa <dhichwa...>
Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
Resent-From: <mikemecham46...>
Resent-Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:10:15 -0700
You might reach out to yolobasin.org which is the foundation that gives bat tours and talks about bats that live under the Yolo Causeway. They really know bats.
On Wed, Apr 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> wrote:
Just wanted to chime in here before the list moderator shuts us down for non-bird related posts.
While unusual - diurnal activity in bats isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. I’ve observed bats moving /foraging in the daytime on a number of occasions in the state. One was a sighting of a silver-haired bat flying over the desert in Oasis mid-morning and landing in a stand of Cottonwoods. This was presumably a migrant that found itself out in unsuitable habitat and continued to move until finding a place with trees to roost in.
I've also observed bats (identified to species) several times foraging in the afternoon at mid-elevation in the Sierra.
Dominik
On Apr 9, 2025, at 15:18, RAINI SUGG via groups.io <rainisugg...> wrote:
Hi I live in Sebastopol- Robinson Rd. I just had a large brown bat catching insects in my yard. I’ve never seen one in the day light displaying that behavior.Perhaps they are migrating?
Raini
Sent from Raini's iPhone
On Apr 9, 2025, at 11:29 AM, Maureen Lahiff via groups.io <MLahiff...> wrote:
You might contact NorCalBats.
They have emergency bat rescue info and a contact number.
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:18:05 AM PDT, Diane Hichwa via groups.io <dhichwa...> wrote:
Sonoma Wildlife Rescue rescues bats. And other wildlife in Sonoma County. Phone: (707) 992-0274
The bat may have been resting and caught out “after light”.
Often a bat with rabies becomes paralyzed, cannot hang, or fly. Never touch a bat with bare hands!
I have not heard of any avian influenza in bats but it has jumped to some marine mammals and to mountain lions.
Diane Hichwa
Email: <dhichwa...>
Telephone: 707-785-1922 (Sea Ranch)
707-483-3130 (cell)
More Tail Wagging!!! Less Barking!!
Millie 2007
From: <northbaybirds...> on behalf of "Mike Carozza via groups.io" <mike.carozza...>
Reply-To: <mike.carozza...>
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
To: <northbaybirds...>
Subject: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
Resent-From: <mike.carozza...>
Resent-Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:06:39 -0700
Hi Naturalists
Today a friend sent video of a large dark bat clinging to a screen at Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. In full daylight. It was moving. She didn’t seem to get images of the face.
Considering rabies/white nose, this felt like something we should report. Please forward if you know someone in the area who might be able to help.
Mike Carozza
914-475-9355
Date: 4/9/25 7:10 pm From: Michael Mecham via groups.io <mikemecham46...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
You might reach out to yolobasin.org which is the foundation that gives bat
tours and talks about bats that live under the Yolo Causeway. They really
know bats.
On Wed, Apr 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Just wanted to chime in here before the list moderator shuts us down for
> non-bird related posts.
>
> While unusual - diurnal activity in bats isn’t necessarily a cause for
> concern. I’ve observed bats moving /foraging in the daytime on a number of
> occasions in the state. One was a sighting of a silver-haired bat flying
> over the desert in Oasis mid-morning and landing in a stand of Cottonwoods.
> This was presumably a migrant that found itself out in unsuitable habitat
> and continued to move until finding a place with trees to roost in.
>
> I've also observed bats (identified to species) several times foraging in
> the afternoon at mid-elevation in the Sierra.
>
> Dominik
>
>
>
> On Apr 9, 2025, at 15:18, RAINI SUGG via groups.io <rainisugg=
> <mac.com...> wrote:
>
> Hi I live in Sebastopol- Robinson Rd. I just had a large brown bat
> catching insects in my yard. I’ve never seen one in the day light
> displaying that behavior.Perhaps they are migrating?
>
> Raini
> Sent from Raini's iPhone
>
> On Apr 9, 2025, at 11:29 AM, Maureen Lahiff via groups.io <MLahiff=
> <aol.com...> wrote:
>
>
> You might contact NorCalBats.
>
> They have emergency bat rescue info and a contact number.
>
> On Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:18:05 AM PDT, Diane Hichwa via groups.io
> <dhichwa...> wrote:
>
>
> Sonoma Wildlife Rescue rescues bats. And other wildlife in Sonoma
> County. Phone: (707) 992-0274
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=sonoma+county+wildlife+rescue&sca_esv=1ed5a24754748f85&source=hp&ei=7rj2Z4O_FrudkPIPhZ7cmQw&iflsig=ACkRmUkAAAAAZ_bG_vINIVNWg2UEGVG5HG4dHuoYU2Kh&gs_ssp=eJzj4tZP1zcsMzGLz64qNGC0UjGosDCwMDFJNLNITDGzTExLNbcyqDBMSbQEAhODNLMkY3MDL9ni_Lz83ESF5PzSvJJKhfLMnJSczLRUhaLU4uTSVADcuxnL&oq=sonoma+county+wildlife&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhZzb25vbWEgY291bnR5IHdpbGRsaWZlKgIIADILEC4YgAQYxwEYrwEyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB5IuS5QAFjUGHAAeACQAQGYAb0BoAHhD6oBBDE2Lja4AQHIAQD4AQGYAhWgApgPwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMY0QMYxwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIFEC4YgATCAg4QLhiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCxAuGIAEGNEDGMcBwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAggQABiABBixA8ICCxAuGIAEGLEDGNQCwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMYxwEYrwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxiDARjHARivAcICDhAuGIAEGMcBGI4FGK8BwgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAggQABiABBiiBJgDAJIHBDE2LjWgB8_AArIHBDE2LjW4B5gP&sclient=gws-wiz> >
>
>
> The bat may have been resting and caught out “after light”.
>
> Often a bat with rabies becomes paralyzed, cannot hang, or fly. Never
> touch a bat with bare hands!
>
> I have not heard of any avian influenza in bats but it has jumped to some
> marine mammals and to mountain lions.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Diane Hichwa
>
>
>
> Email: <dhichwa...>
>
>
>
> Telephone: 707-785-1922 (Sea Ranch)
>
> 707-483-3130 (cell)
>
> More Tail Wagging!!! Less Barking!!
>
> Millie 2007
>
>
>
> *From: *<northbaybirds...> on behalf of "Mike Carozza via groups.io"
> <mike.carozza...>
> *Reply-To: *<mike.carozza...>
> *Date: *Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
> *To: *<northbaybirds...>
> *Subject: *[northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am
> today
> *Resent-From: *<mike.carozza...>
> *Resent-Date: *Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:06:39 -0700
>
>
>
> Hi Naturalists
>
>
>
> Today a friend sent video of a large dark bat clinging to a screen at
> Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. In full daylight. It was moving. She
> didn’t seem to get images of the face.
>
>
>
> Considering rabies/white nose, this felt like something we should report.
> Please forward if you know someone in the area who might be able to help.
>
> Mike Carozza
> 914-475-9355
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/9/25 4:23 pm From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
Just wanted to chime in here before the list moderator shuts us down for
non-bird related posts.
While unusual - diurnal activity in bats isn’t necessarily a cause for
concern. I’ve observed bats moving /foraging in the daytime on a number of
occasions in the state. One was a sighting of a silver-haired bat flying
over the desert in Oasis mid-morning and landing in a stand of Cottonwoods.
This was presumably a migrant that found itself out in unsuitable habitat
and continued to move until finding a place with trees to roost in.
I've also observed bats (identified to species) several times foraging in
the afternoon at mid-elevation in the Sierra.
Dominik
On Apr 9, 2025, at 15:18, RAINI SUGG via groups.io <rainisugg=
<mac.com...> wrote:
Hi I live in Sebastopol- Robinson Rd. I just had a large brown bat
catching insects in my yard. I’ve never seen one in the day light
displaying that behavior.Perhaps they are migrating?
Raini
Sent from Raini's iPhone
On Apr 9, 2025, at 11:29 AM, Maureen Lahiff via groups.io <MLahiff=
<aol.com...> wrote:
You might contact NorCalBats.
They have emergency bat rescue info and a contact number.
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:18:05 AM PDT, Diane Hichwa via groups.io
<dhichwa...> wrote:
The bat may have been resting and caught out “after light”.
Often a bat with rabies becomes paralyzed, cannot hang, or fly. Never touch
a bat with bare hands!
I have not heard of any avian influenza in bats but it has jumped to some
marine mammals and to mountain lions.
Diane Hichwa
Email: <dhichwa...>
Telephone: 707-785-1922 (Sea Ranch)
707-483-3130 (cell)
More Tail Wagging!!! Less Barking!!
Millie 2007
*From: *<northbaybirds...> on behalf of "Mike Carozza via groups.io"
<mike.carozza...>
*Reply-To: *<mike.carozza...>
*Date: *Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
*To: *<northbaybirds...>
*Subject: *[northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
*Resent-From: *<mike.carozza...>
*Resent-Date: *Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:06:39 -0700
Hi Naturalists
Today a friend sent video of a large dark bat clinging to a screen at
Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. In full daylight. It was moving. She
didn’t seem to get images of the face.
Considering rabies/white nose, this felt like something we should report.
Please forward if you know someone in the area who might be able to help.
Date: 4/9/25 11:29 am From: Maureen Lahiff via groups.io <MLahiff...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
You might contact NorCalBats.
They have emergency bat rescue info and a contact number.
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:18:05 AM PDT, Diane Hichwa via groups.io <dhichwa...> wrote:
Sonoma Wildlife Rescue rescues bats. And other wildlife in Sonoma County. Phone: (707) 992-0274
The bat may have been resting and caught out “after light”.
Often a bat with rabies becomes paralyzed, cannot hang, or fly. Never touch a bat with bare hands!
I have not heard of any avian influenza in bats but it has jumped to some marine mammals and to mountain lions.
Diane Hichwa
Email: <dhichwa...>
Telephone: 707-785-1922 (Sea Ranch)
707-483-3130 (cell)
More Tail Wagging!!! Less Barking!!
Millie 2007
From: <northbaybirds...> on behalf of "Mike Carozza via groups.io" <mike.carozza...>
Reply-To: <mike.carozza...>
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
To: <northbaybirds...>
Subject: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
Resent-From: <mike.carozza...>
Resent-Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:06:39 -0700
Hi Naturalists
Today a friend sent video of a large dark bat clinging to a screen at Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. In full daylight. It was moving. She didn’t seem to get images of the face.
Considering rabies/white nose, this felt like something we should report. Please forward if you know someone in the area who might be able to help.
Date: 4/9/25 11:18 am From: Diane Hichwa via groups.io <dhichwa...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
Sonoma Wildlife Rescue rescues bats. And other wildlife in Sonoma County. Phone: (707) 992-0274
The bat may have been resting and caught out “after light”.
Often a bat with rabies becomes paralyzed, cannot hang, or fly. Never touch a bat with bare hands!
I have not heard of any avian influenza in bats but it has jumped to some marine mammals and to mountain lions.
Diane Hichwa
Email: <dhichwa...>
Telephone: 707-785-1922 (Sea Ranch)
707-483-3130 (cell)
More Tail Wagging!!! Less Barking!!
Millie 2007
From: <northbaybirds...> on behalf of "Mike Carozza via groups.io" <mike.carozza...>
Reply-To: <mike.carozza...>
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
To: <northbaybirds...>
Subject: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
Resent-From: <mike.carozza...>
Resent-Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:06:39 -0700
Hi Naturalists
Today a friend sent video of a large dark bat clinging to a screen at Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. In full daylight. It was moving. She didn’t seem to get images of the face.
Considering rabies/white nose, this felt like something we should report. Please forward if you know someone in the area who might be able to help.
Mike Carozza
914-475-9355
Date: 4/9/25 10:06 am From: Mike Carozza via groups.io <mike.carozza...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Bat clinging to Patisserie Angelica 7:45 am today
Hi Naturalists
Today a friend sent video of a large dark bat clinging to a screen at
Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. In full daylight. It was moving. She
didn’t seem to get images of the face.
Considering rabies/white nose, this felt like something we should report.
Please forward if you know someone in the area who might be able to help.
Date: 4/7/25 4:45 pm From: Meryl Sundove via groups.io <msundove...> Subject: [northbaybirds] sighting of a Green-tailed Towhee in Corte Madera
Today I was walking the bike path alongside Paradise Drive in Corte Madera
and had stopped to watch birds. (location 37.923128, -122.510387)
It was about 12:45 when I saw a bird in a nearby tree with a rufous cap and
looked closer. Then saw a bright white throat and noted the greenish wings
and tail. I got a good look. I was amazed to be seeing a Green-tailed Towhee
in my area! I have seen them in the Sierras but never in Marin County.
Date: 4/4/25 10:34 am From: Peter Pyle via groups.io <ppyle...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Noyo Pelagic Trips April 26th and 27th
Greetings Bay Area -
Mendocino Coast Audubon Society and Noyo Center for Marine Science
Center will be running a number of pelagic trips out of Fort Bragg this
year. There will be a website with the complete schedule of full-day
trips, half-day trips, and 2-hour trips to do marine science including
deploying ROVs when conditions are good. Pending the website's launch
(hopefully soon) you can call Anchor Charters at 707-964-4550 to reserve
a spot.
The first two trips of the season will be on April 26th (half day, five
hours ) and April 27th (full day, 10 hours). We will aim for the Noyo
Canyon on both trips and and over the continental shelf on the full-day
trip. This was the weekend where, many years ago, we went out to deep
water and had 100+ Murphy's Petrels (confirming them for the state) and
130+ Horned Puffins out in these waters. Laysan Albatrosses have been
regular over Noyo Canyon this year and a Short-tailed Albatross was
spotted by fisherman there in early March.
Future full-day trips this year will be on May 9th and 11th, June 15th,
July 15th, August 15th, September 7th, October 31st, and November 22nd.
Most of these will have half-day trips scheduled within a day or so,
such that those coming up to enjoy the Mendocino coast can make a long
weekend of it and include two pelagic trips.
We'll announce when the website is up with full details. Hope to see you
up here this April or later in the year.
Date: 4/3/25 3:32 pm From: larry nigro via groups.io <larrymtb...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Gull, Swallows, Swift and Tern Show/ & Festival Reminder
[image: 6J0A4781.JPG] Yesterday, Starting around 11 the Bonaparte's gulls(in various black highlights) joined the Forster's terns, all five main species of swallows, some swifts in a spectacular feeding show at Las Gallinas. Don't know how much longer the gulls will be coming in. Highly recommended.
Viewing point is .2 miles north of Bel Marin Keys via a trail that accessed immediately west of the creek that flows into Pacheco Pond. There's parking on Bel Marin Keys and, then, you cross on either side of a gate.....and walk a short distance north to the viewing area from where the above photos were captured.
Beautiful birds to enjoy watching through the persistent raindrops and 40 mph wind gusts,
via initially hearing them before they landed nearby.
Regards and happy spring birding (!)...off to Mt. Burdell now....:-)
Date: 3/31/25 9:53 am From: Maggie Rufo via groups.io <magwhls...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Seeking information on California Quail breeding window
Thanks to everyone who has written me so far. I fear there is no good time for this activity. I will do my best to educate the people who do the work about areas to avoid and what to look out for. For the past two years we had goats/sheep, but that was not ideal either (the oak trees suffered). Prior to that the hill just got weed whacked for years. I never even saw any quail here until around 2014 when a single male arrived, he was solo for a few years and then one day a female was with him! A happy day. Since then there is a large flock of up to 30 quail in this area! I got on the board of this HOA (a truly thankless job!!!!) specifically so I could have an influence on activities that might be harmful to our wildlife community.
Maggie
From: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> On Behalf Of Lisa Krieger Personal via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2025 9:52 PM
To: <magwhls...>
Cc: Northbay Birds <northbaybirds...>
Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Seeking information on California Quail breeding window
Hi Maggie, out here in Pt Reyes/Inverness we almost always see the chicks in June. Last year, there was a clutch of new chicks on June 14.
I was told they're late spring/early summer -- much later than other birds -- because there's more to eat after grass goes to seed.
In an effort to protect my beloved quail neighbors from the impending weed whacking of the open space that is part of the HOA where I live, I am interested in information anyone can share about how soon there could be quail nests on the ground. I’ve researched my copy of the original BBA, as well as looked at BBA 2 data online, but still don’t know an actual time frame for my area (Novato).
Currently the whacking is planned for June. I advocated for April, early May at the latest, based on my own hyper-local bird log of when I usually start seeing quail chicks (June, with a incubation period of 18-23 days according The Birder’s Handbook)). But, the landscape people say if they cut the grass too early it will grow back and then we they will have to do it again. The HOA will not want to pay twice.
Quail seem to lose most of their chicks as it is, so I’d hate for us to make to it worse. Sorry this is so long, but if any of the experts who study these things have time to weigh in on this, I would be grateful.
Date: 3/31/25 8:20 am From: Cynthia Boyer via groups.io <byerbird...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Seeking information on California Quail breeding window
Hi Maggie,
From my Quail notes in mobile home park where I live off 5th Street West in town of Sonoma:
Baby Quail first seen: May 27, 2022, May 30, 2023 & May 24, 2024
I sure do hope you are successful in convincing your HOA to put off weed whacking until the latest possible date in June. My notes show new baby Quail showing up as late as 8/10/24, 7/15/23 & 6/11/22.
Date: 3/30/25 9:52 pm From: Lisa Krieger Personal via groups.io <lisa.krieger55...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Seeking information on California Quail breeding window
Hi Maggie, out here in Pt Reyes/Inverness we almost always see the chicks
in June. Last year, there was a clutch of new chicks on June 14.
I was told they're late spring/early summer -- much later than other birds
-- because there's more to eat after grass goes to seed.
Lisa Krieger
On Sun, Mar 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM Maggie Rufo via groups.io <magwhls=
<comcast.net...> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> In an effort to protect my beloved quail neighbors from the impending weed
> whacking of the open space that is part of the HOA where I live, I am
> interested in information anyone can share about how soon there could be
> quail nests on the ground. I’ve researched my copy of the original BBA, as
> well as looked at BBA 2 data online, but still don’t know an actual time
> frame for my area (Novato).
>
> Currently the whacking is planned for June. I advocated for April, early
> May at the latest, based on my own hyper-local bird log of when I usually
> start seeing quail chicks (June, with a incubation period of 18-23 days
> according The Birder’s Handbook)). But, the landscape people say if they
> cut the grass too early it will grow back and then we they will have to do
> it again. The HOA will not want to pay twice.
>
> Quail seem to lose most of their chicks as it is, so I’d hate for us to
> make to it worse. Sorry this is so long, but if any of the experts who
> study these things have time to weigh in on this, I would be grateful.
>
> Thanks,
> Maggie Rufo
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/30/25 8:54 pm From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Ongoing Tufted Duck (first seen by William Legge/Everett Clark) @ Binford Rd./Rush Creek Wetland, Novato, Marin Co.
Today, when birding with William Legge, he initially spotted the ongoing *TUFTED DUCK* that he and/or Everett Clark originally observed 2-3 weeks ago...Subsequently, several other birders have reported it.
Today's digiscoped photos of my observation of this species are at:
"Ongoing; seen by many birders in March, 2025; today's initial sighting was by William Legge, who mentioned it to me so I was able to successfully use my own scope to observe it. Dark back and tuft on male was evident (See photos, here).
I digiscoped it for the photos shown here because the individual was 1,500+ feet from our Binford Rd. perch approximately 500' north of the fire road ingress to the trail that traverses the south side of this wetland (i.e., The fire road access trail is 1/8th of a mile north of the Park N' Ride lot on the corner of Binford and Atherton.)
Scope essential for viewing. My camera could NOT capture articulate features from so far away; however, my Swarovski digiscope attachment provided suitable photos for diagnostic ID per the above link #.
Regards, Daniel Edelstein
Novato, CA
WarblerWatch.com
Date: 3/30/25 5:10 pm From: Maggie Rufo via groups.io <magwhls...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Seeking information on California Quail breeding window
Hello,
In an effort to protect my beloved quail neighbors from the impending weed whacking of the open space that is part of the HOA where I live, I am interested in information anyone can share about how soon there could be quail nests on the ground. I’ve researched my copy of the original BBA, as well as looked at BBA 2 data online, but still don’t know an actual time frame for my area (Novato).
Currently the whacking is planned for June. I advocated for April, early May at the latest, based on my own hyper-local bird log of when I usually start seeing quail chicks (June, with a incubation period of 18-23 days according The Birder’s Handbook)). But, the landscape people say if they cut the grass too early it will grow back and then we they will have to do it again. The HOA will not want to pay twice.
Quail seem to lose most of their chicks as it is, so I’d hate for us to make to it worse. Sorry this is so long, but if any of the experts who study these things have time to weigh in on this, I would be grateful.
Date: 3/26/25 10:11 pm From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Last Few Days: Grasshopper Sparrow At Mt. Burdell (Novato), plus Las Gallinas (San Rafael) & Pacheco Valle (Novato)
Please note the following Seasonal Sightings/Detections, per the last few days:
3/25/25:
1 singing *GRASSHOPPER SPARROW* via my listening for 20 minutes at the southwestern portion of the meadow*
(* = 1/2 mile uphill on the main trail from San Andreas
Drive cul de sac parking area/trailhead)…..(Note I did NOT detect this species on my 3/21/25 visit to the south flank of
this mountain where I have heard and seen in by late March annually over many past years.)
Other info.:
As you may already know, this species is typically an annual breeder on Mt. Burdell…and my 3/25/25 detection is on par with its typical arrival date within the suitable breeding habitat (cropped 3-5" non-native grassland) upon the mountain's south flank and within
expansive non-native grassland hosted in the meadow…..
Wish to hear it? Find the six-foot-long prostrate log next to the main trail's northwest side
after you ascend the trail .5 mile.
Then stand and listen to your east 200' where non-native grassland dominates; the individual I heard was within or adjacent to a thicket of blooming California Buttercup
SORRY, I tried but was NOT able to obtain a recording because I ONLY heard one song in the 20 minutes I listened….and a repeat song never occurred after the initial one happened.
Amazing....though it's possible a more early arrival than my mid-morning visit to this area would have yielded more song episodes.
*
3/10 - 3/25/25 inclusive in Pacheco Valle (i.e., forested area via the southern-most Novato exit off Hwy. 101…and across the highway from Hamilton Field):
Ongoing calling and singing *VARIED THRUSH* presence in Marin Co. Open Space District forest adjoining our residence in Pacheco Valle.
Interested in noting the abundance presence by region in N. America for this species’ northward migration in Cornell Lab of Ornithology's “Status & Trends”…?
If so: Please feel free to view and watch an animation map of this species progressive presence and absence via:
1 *LEAST BITTERN* performing classic “poo poo poo” call from the western-most island of the three in Pond #1….but no glimpses visually.
I reported this detection on my eBird list, but did not see a rare bird species alert posted in the aftermath of my submittal on 3/24/25.
29 remaining *BONAPARTE’S GULL* remaining on pond #2
6 *BLUE-WINGED TEAL* present as three separate male-female diads in the western-most of the three “sludge” ponds that occur inside the
barbed wire fence area (that is immediately east of pond #2).
Date: 3/26/25 2:11 pm From: Carolyn Johnson via groups.io <cjohn...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] FOS Hooded Oriole in town of Sonoma
Our first hooded oriole arrived at the feeder today near Graton. 2024 it arrived 3/31, and 3/25 in 2023.
Carolyn Johnson
> On Mar 25, 2025, at 3:49 PM, Cynthia Boyer via groups.io <byerbird...> wrote:
>
> Tuesday, 3/25/25 I saw my first Hooded Oriole (a male) of 2025-off 5th Street West in Sonoma. Last year I noted seeing my first Hooded Oriole on April 7th.
>
Date: 3/25/25 6:14 pm From: Melissa Witte via groups.io <memawi...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] FOS Hooded Oriole in town of Sonoma
Thats awesome. To my surprise, I actually had an oriole in my garden at school (Petaluma) on March 3. It was probably a Hooded. Didnt get a good look but color & size were unmistakable!
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> on behalf of Cynthia Boyer via groups.io <byerbird...>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 3:49:19 PM
To: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...>
Subject: [northbaybirds] FOS Hooded Oriole in town of Sonoma
Tuesday, 3/25/25 I saw my first Hooded Oriole (a male) of 2025-off 5th Street West in Sonoma. Last year I noted seeing my first Hooded Oriole on April 7th.
Date: 3/25/25 3:49 pm From: Cynthia Boyer via groups.io <byerbird...> Subject: [northbaybirds] FOS Hooded Oriole in town of Sonoma
Tuesday, 3/25/25 I saw my first Hooded Oriole (a male) of 2025-off 5th Street West in Sonoma. Last year I noted seeing my first Hooded Oriole on April 7th.
Date: 3/24/25 8:35 am From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] 2: Whoops, here's the link to yesterday's (distant) photos of the Greater White-fronted Goose I saw at the Marsh Drive "pond," per:
(Photos were captured from at least 1/2 mile or more from the eight I initially noticed with my scope....then
digiscoped with a Swarovski attachment on my iPhone.
Regards, Daniel Edelstein
Novato, CA
WarblerWatch.com
Date: 3/24/25 8:32 am From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] 1) (Remaining/Persistent Presence Of) Greater White-fronted Goose; 2) Monitoring Other Recent North Bay/North Coast Sightings For This Species
Good day:
Yesterday, I noticed at the Marsh Drive flooded ephemeral "pond" the presence of eight *GREATER WHITE-FRONTED*
*GOOSE.*
This non-breeding season resident Anitidae should not be unexpected, currently, but other recent sightings in Marin and
Sonoma County are so-called distant memories, per eBird records and, even easier, the app called Birds Eye is a
convenient for more quickly making the aforementioned thought than "filtering" through dozens of March, 2025 eBird documentations for this species in the North Bay Birds (NBB) region.
For example, employing Birds Eye, the most recent Marin Greater White-front Goose sightings in Marin are from Las Gallinas (28 days ago); Corte Madera Creek (28 days ago); Piper Park (17 days ago); and a different Marsh Drive pond sighting from 15 days ago (my own).
Interestingly, the CLOSEST most recent sighting to mine yesterday for this species is a Fort Bragg observation YESTERDAY (i.e., the same day as mine).
Related, the 255 Greater White-fronted Goose I noticed last week was down to 40 from a Friday, March 21, 2025 sighting told to me on the trail by a good birder from New York City.
I'll head to Las Gallinas today to again check for presence/absence of this species that often "stages" with other individuals of its species while heading north to Far North latitude breeding grounds — the closest of which is a small area of the mid-N.W. territories....before a more contiguous, large band occurs at the same latitude # from N.W. Hudson Bay west into Alaska where a major reach of breeding area occurs.
As for lyrical thoughts on this species, it's Heaven On Earth and an immediate enchantment feeling to hear the bugling chorus of a large Greater White-fronted group on the move........and, curiously (at Las Gallinas in recent weeks), I've watch major phalanxes rise, circling with temporary cacophonous flight before settling again in the same area.
Thanks for reading and weeding through all the above details.
Regards, Daniel Edelstein
Novato, CA
WarblerWatch.com
Date: 3/20/25 8:35 pm From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] 1) Bald Eagle at Marsh Drive flooded area, Novato; 2) Male Eurasian Wigeon at Petaluma/Napa Wetland in Novato (PHOTO links below)
Today, 3/20/25...(Happy Spring!)
Perhaps my sighting today was the same male *EURASIAN WIGEON* other birders and I noticed recently (approximately three weeks ago) on the same ovoid-shaped, isolated island east of the lone bench next to the parking area for the Petaluma/Napa Wetland area (east of and behind the Costco building, but 1,000' north of it, so more directly behind the Bev-Mo store).....?
(The bench is adjacent to parking that is on the east side of the street.....This wetland is accessed via the Rowland Blvd. exit from Hwy. 101.)
Next, while watching more than 450 ducks at the Marsh Drive ephemeral pond area (from my Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato)
perch, I noticed the presence of one adult *BALD EAGLE,* whose appearance scattered more than 200 of the ducks, primarily
Northern Shoveler. I was lucky to have my camera ready when I noticed what caused the aerial exit by the armada of N. Shovelers...Photos at:
Date: 3/20/25 9:32 am From: Carolyn Johnson via groups.io <cjohn...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Acorn woodpecker
This guy just showed up at my feeders between Graton and Occidental in Sonoma County! What y’all think? May be hard for him to get much attention this spring (at least from the Melanerpes gals)
Carolyn Johnson
Date: 3/19/25 12:24 am From: Will Parish via groups.io <will...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Point Reyes Snowy Plover Nesting Season 2025
Hi all,
Julie and I live in San Francisco and realized how rusty we’ve gotten! Can anyone recommend a bird identification course we could take?
Thanks!
Will Parish
> On Mar 17, 2025, at 8:45 AM, Matt Lau via groups.io <mjaylau707...> wrote:
>
> Hi Larry (and NBB birders),
>
> Thanks for those kind words, I really appreciate it. I enjoyed running into you and others out on the beach while during plover surveys.
>
> I'm sad to say that I've moved on from NPS for a senior biologist position with a consulting firm in Flagstaff Arizona. I miss Point Reyes and the California coastline tremendously, but I know the Point Reyes plover program is in good hands with Parker Kaye and Point Blue Conservation Science.
>
> I appreciate yours and everyone else's support for the plover program through the years. Please continue assisting the plover program and park conservation efforts - they need all the help they can get these days.
>
> Happy spring birding,
>
> Matt
> From: <northbaybirds...> <mailto:<northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> <mailto:<northbaybirds...>> on behalf of larry nigro via groups.io <http://groups.io/><larrymtb...> <mailto:<larrymtb...>> > Sent: Friday, March 14, 2025 7:00 AM
> To: <northbaybirds...> <mailto:<northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> <mailto:<northbaybirds...>> > Cc: <northbaybirds...> <mailto:<northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> <mailto:<northbaybirds...>> > Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Point Reyes Snowy Plover Nesting Season 2025
>
> Hi,
>
> I didn't know Matt had left the park. I bird a lot out at Abbots and Limontaur and always looked forward to running into Matt. He loved all the wildlife in the park and was an excellent steward and educator.. Molly and I wish him the best and thank him for doing a great job. Welcome Parker.
>
> Larry Nigro
>
> On Fri, Mar 14, 2025 at 4:53 AM Parker Kaye via groups.io <http://groups.io/> <parkerk...> <mailto:<ptreyes.org...>> wrote:
> Hi birders,
>
> The Point Reyes NS snowy plover nesting season is here! I will be taking over for Matt Lau after his many years of working with and advocating for snowy plovers in the seashore. Our team has been observing pairs and plenty of scrapes at all the usual sites, including Abbotts Lagoon.
>
> This year, we are keeping part of the southwest lower lagoon shoreline open to birders and visitors all season long (please see attached photo; encircled red area is the annual plover closure). However, this area will only be accessible going off-trail along the east side of the lower lagoon and around the south end (light green path). This area will not be accessible via walking around the lagoon mouth and walking south along the western lower lagoon shoreline; most of the southwest lagoon shoreline will still be closed during the nesting season (March-end of August) to reduce disturbance on incubating adults and broods. Please expect to see (and respect) symbolic fencing set up in this area by the end of next week.
>
> In 2024, we had a good number of plovers nesting close to the lower lagoon shoreline and the area was also used by several broods (i.e., males with chicks). Because of their success in that area, we expect them to return again this year.
>
> Last year we started a Snowy Plover Volunteer Monitoring Program and will be continuing this year! If you have prior experience with data collection and/or field work with shorebirds and are interested in contributing your time to conservation efforts, please let me know by contacting me at <parkerk...> <mailto:<parkerk...>. Training will be required.
>
> If there’s any questions regarding the annual closure at Abbotts Lagoon or anything snowy plover related, feel free to reach out.
>
> Thanks everyone and happy spring birding,
>
> Parker
>
> --
> Parker Kaye
> Biological Science Technician – Snowy Plovers
> Point Reyes National Seashore Association
> (916) 835-8614
>
