Date: 2/15/19 9:30 am From: <robert.traverso...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Male Costa's Hummingbird Still Active Today
The male Costa's Hummingbird is still active today at our front-yard and back-yard feeders. Bob
Date: 2/14/19 11:08 am From: <robert.traverso...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Costa's Hummingbird Still Active Today
The Costa's Hummingbird is still actively feeding at our front-yard and back-yard feeders. Generally, re-appears every 15-30 minutes, and perches & feeds (or vice-versa). Bob
The male Costa's Hummingbird is still actively feeding at our backyard feeders today, and have now observed him also using our feeder in the front-yard and perching in the Crepe Myrtle tree just to the east of the front-yard feeder. He seems to come here every 15-30 minutes.
Date: 2/13/19 10:04 am From: Kirk Swenson <khswenson...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Photo of Costa's Hummingbird (Male)
The Costa's Hummingbird first reported by Robert Traverso was refound
yesterday morning by Holly Coates and Emmett Iverson on Torrey St. in South
Davis. It apparently put on quite a show as it repeatedly displayed and
vocalized for them and Bart Wickel before disappearing. I arrived around
mid-day and was soon joined by Todd Easterla, Keith Bailey, Jason Riggio,
and Elliott Schoenig. After a hummingbird was seen heading south Todd
refound the bird around the corner on Montgomery and called us over to
where it perched in the open and occasionally fed on a purple sage. After
several minutes, the bird headed back north where we saw it perched above
1331 Torrey before we headed out. It did not display during our period of
observation.
On Tue, Feb 12, 2019 at 2:14 PM <robert.traverso...>
[central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Here's a photo of the male BCHU which has been active in my backyard for
> the
> last 4-5 days.
>
> Robert Traverso
>
> Davis, CA 95618
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus >
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
Birders-
Just before 2PM I saw a hairy woodpecker in a different area than I’ve seen them occur. Go to the Young Wo Circle access, turn right at the bike trail. In about 150 yards you’ll see a rock monument about 4 feet high with a dirt trail. Follow the trail to the lake where there is a wooden picnic bench. The woodpecker flew right over my head when I was sitting there, over to some oak trees. It looked like it had just molted, nice clean feathers with the prominent white streak on the back.Good birding,
Craig Swolgaard Georgetown
Date: 2/11/19 10:19 am From: <robert.traverso...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Costa's Hummingbird in Backyard
Have had a male Costa's Hummingbird active in our South Davis backyard for last 4 days. Has been using our feeders, fountains, flowers on regular basis.
Date: 2/11/19 9:11 am From: <maryolo1...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Still looking for owls near Davis for Duck Days field trip
Has anyone found Short-eared Owls near Davis recently? Also any good views of Great Horned Owls where parking is possible nearby.... The logistics of caravanning a number of vehicles to five or more sites on the trip is always tricky. We hope to look for five species in the several hours we have available. I plan on taking people on at least one post-Duck Days owling trip while the locations found during scouting would still be helpful. One will be for Yolo Audubon and I can also share the locations AFTER the DD trip. Thanks for any helpful sightings. Mary SchiedtDavis
Date: 2/9/19 8:00 pm From: Frances Oliver <hummer52...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] HELP! Nov 19 CVBS Accurate Dates!
Thanksgiving is November 28. So yes the CVBS is 11/21-24. We will correct the date.
Frances
> On Feb 10, 2019, at 8:54 AM, Bob Barnes <bbarnes...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Mario Cordoba, a friend and birding guide from Costa Rica, is coming to California in November for three weeks of birding including attending the Central Valley Birding Symposium.
>
> The CVBS web site states the next symposium will be held Nov 14-17, 2019 while one of the organizers told me it is always the weekend before Thanksgiving and that the CVBS will be held Nov 21-24, 2019.
>
> What are the accurate dates for the November 2019 CVBS?
>
> I just sent an email to Mario telling him to NOT purchase tickets until I secure the accurate information. Otherwise, his entire California birding schedule could be affected ngatively.
>
> Thank you for getting the correct CVBS dates to me.
>
> Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California
>
>
>
Date: 2/9/19 4:22 pm From: Susan Nishio <sjnishio...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] HELP! Nov 19 CVBS Accurate Dates!
Bob,
The correct dates for the Central Valley Birding Symposium 2019 are Thursday, November 21 to Sunday, November 24, 2019. I'm sorry for the error, it has to do with how the Thanksgiving holiday goes from Nov 22 in 2018 to Nov 28 in 2019. The error was fixed on the homepage. Our IT person will fix it on the Symposium page. That may take a few hours to correct.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Again, my apologies for the error.
Best Regards,
Susie Nishio
> On February 9, 2019 at 3:54 PM "Bob Barnes <bbarnes...> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Mario Cordoba, a friend and birding guide from Costa Rica, is coming to California in November for three weeks of birding including attending the Central Valley Birding Symposium.
>
> The CVBS web site states the next symposium will be held Nov 14-17, 2019 while one of the organizers told me it is always the weekend before Thanksgiving and that the CVBS will be held Nov 21-24, 2019.
>
> What are the accurate dates for the November 2019 CVBS?
>
> I just sent an email to Mario telling him to NOT purchase tickets until I secure the accurate information. Otherwise, his entire California birding schedule could be affected ngatively.
>
> Thank you for getting the correct CVBS dates to me.
>
> Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California
>
>
>
>
Date: 2/9/19 3:54 pm From: Bob Barnes <bbarnes...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] HELP! Nov 19 CVBS Accurate Dates!
Hi,
Mario Cordoba, a friend and birding guide from Costa Rica, is coming to California in November for three weeks of birding including attending the Central Valley Birding Symposium.
The CVBS web site states the next symposium will be held Nov 14-17, 2019 while one of the organizers told me it is always the weekend before Thanksgiving and that the CVBS will be held Nov 21-24, 2019.
What are the accurate dates for the November 2019 CVBS?
I just sent an email to Mario telling him to NOT purchase tickets until I secure the accurate information. Otherwise, his entire California birding schedule could be affected ngatively.
Thank you for getting the correct CVBS dates to me.
Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California
------------------------------------ Posted by: Bob Barnes <bbarnes...> ------------------------------------
I've had a Nashville warbler visiting my yard this winter. Today as I was watching it, I flashed its rusty cap. My impression was it was fairly long. I've been calling this warbler an immature female, but now I need to possibly reconsider. My plan is to review the info in Pyle to see if I can come to any other conclusion. I have several eBird lists with photos. These were taken through a window often on cloudy and rainy days. So the quality is average to poor.
Here's my first report from 11/2/18.
Very active, flitty warbler. Complete white eye ring. Head gray. White throat (not yellow). Breast and belly yellow, area around legs and vent white. Lower mandible gray. All fits Nashville except white throat but I see hatching year females can have whitish throats. Seems very bright yellow for a female. Breast feathers are loose as expected for hatching year bird.
The Nashville warbler I reported 11/2/18 in my yard that has a whitish throat has continued to show up occasionally in my yard since that date. It was here today. I haven't been able to get any new photos but it still looks much like the bird I reported in the eBird list below. It was busy in the rain working the undersides of plants I have in a herb box. Both its breast and undertail coverts are bright yellow. It has a lot of white on the belly both in front of and behind the legs. It has a lot of yellow green in the wings and tail. And of course it has the complete eye ring with a gray head. Just when I decided to try some photos despite all the raindrops on the window, a Lincoln's sparrow chased it away.
Sandhill Cranes continue to be seen on North Brewer Road in Placer County. 10 Sandhills were relocated on the east side of N. Brewer Road approximately .75 to 1.0 mile north of Nicholas Road (Ross/Cavallo).
Date: 2/4/19 2:35 pm From: John Sterling <jsterling...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Fwd: gull ID class this weekend
>
> Todd Easterla and I are teaching our Gull ID class this weekend. Over 60 birders have taken our class over the years but we haven’t taught in in three years. For details see http://www.sterlingbirds.com/birding_classes__yolo_basin.html <http://www.sterlingbirds.com/birding_classes__yolo_basin.html> >
> If you’re interested, then let me know and I’ll send the location for the Saturday morning lecture in El Dorado Hills (east of Sacramento). Sunday field trip in north Bay Area.
>
>
> John Sterling
> VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
>
> 26 Palm Ave
> Woodland, CA 95695
>
> PO Box 1653
> Woodland, CA 95776A
>
> 530 908-3836
> <jsterling...> <mailto:<jsterling...> > www.sterlingbirds.com
>
Date: 2/3/19 10:42 pm From: <calidris...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] White-winged Scoter continues at Nimbus Fish Hatchery
Today I took a break in the weather before the Super Bowl and checked the Nimbus Fish Hatchery around 2 PM. The drake White-winged Scoter was present about 100 yards below the diversion dam. Also present was an adult Western Gull. I photographed both birds and have been trying to add the photos to my eBird list. Unfortunately I can not access my account due to some "bug" that prevents my doing so. Maybe it will clear up by tomorrow and I can insert the photos.
Date: 2/3/19 7:32 am From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] note on Tennessee Warbler bird bath in the rain
All,
FYI, after rain, when there is water in the ditch, I generally get no birds at my birdbath. Thus, I don't expect the birdbath will be a reliable spot for the warbler this week.
It is still being seen in the eucs, especially the one ne of the playground just before the owl box.
The Yellow-shafted Flicker has been seen several times further north by the foot bridge.
I hate to give negative reports, because I always feel like a fool when someone else finds a bird I missed, but here it is.
Between the rains this morning I went to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Sacramento Co., to look for the White-winged Scoter, but it was not there. I thoroughly checked the entire river between the wide area of Upper Sunrise across form Sailor Bar, the Sailor Bar boat launch harbor, and the base of the Nimbus Dam, and no scoter was in any of these places. In fact, the duck populations, especially the goldeneyes were very reduced in number compared to earlier in the season.
I also went up to Nimbus Flats access of Lake Natoma. No scoter scopable there either. Went back to NFH and checked again. Nada. So either the scoter is gone now or it is ranging more widely than any of the places where it has been seen since it first arrived.
Coincidentally, I also failed to find either the Northern Shrike or the Plumbeous Vireo that have been reported in Woodland, Yolo Co., for quite some time.
My apologies to those who counted the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Davis, Yolo Co., now that it has been demoted to a hybrid. Sorry. Wish it weren’t true, but hybrids are interesting too.,
The good news is that the Tennessee Warbler was seen in Davis, Yolo Co., in the same spot, on Jan. 31 and on Feb. 1. It appears to favor a specific cluster of eucalyptus branches between two trees, directly north of Eagle Place. These trees are the 3rd and 4th eucalyptus trees west of the west end of the chain-link fence by the paved walkway on the south side of the gully. The 3rd tree has a Barn Owl box. The bird was observed multiple times feeding in higher branches above the box.
Hope the changing weather brings us new birds.
Gil Ewing
Fair Oaks, Sacramento Co., CA
------------------------------------
Posted by: Gilmer C Ewing <gewing1...>
------------------------------------
Date: 2/2/19 9:14 am From: Paul Hurtado <paul.j.hurtado...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] north Davis sapsucker may be a hybrid
Here's a nice Birding article from 2005 on sapsucker hybrids:
On Sat, Feb 2, 2019, 8:56 AM Steve Hampton <stevechampton...>
[central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Credit to Gil Ewing, who raised some questions about the purported
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in north Davis.
>
> Seeking input from the center of the country, I posted some pics at the
> Facebook Group Advanced Bird ID:
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/357272384368972/ >
> The vote right now is 6 for Red-naped x Yellow-bellied hybrid; zero for
> everything else.
>
> *Comments are as follows:*
> The parallel lines of pale markings on the back is a Red-naped Sapsucker
> characteristic. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has messier, more diffuse markings
> on the back; that species holds juvenile plumage until much later, into
> late winter. I cannot see any hint of a red nape on this bird, so perhaps
> there is a mix of RNSA x YBSA heritage.
>
> I agree that I don't think this can be a pure yellow-bellied based on the
> back pattern alone. There do appear to be some yellow-bellied
> characteristics including the lack of red on nape, plus the limited red on
> throat enclosed by a solid black border. I have no personal experience with
> these hybrids, but I would agree that a hybrid appears to be the most
> likely option here.
>
> Retained juvenile plumage this far into the season is indicative of
> Yellow-bellied parentage. As I recall, many HY Yellow-bellied start their
> molt in the fall, but then suspend it through the winter months, so they
> can be quite variable in terms of overall development of adult-like
> plumage. That said, the back pattern is more suggestive or Red-naped, as is
> the overall head pattern which seems more black dominant than a typical
> Yellow-bellied (particularly a youngster). Young Yellow-bellied normally
> show a more white/buff dominant face pattern during first winter. The YBSA
> X RNSA hybrid theory makes sense for this bird.
>
> Put me in the hybrid camp, too. There is a complete mix of characters here.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Steve Hampton
> Davis, CA
>
>
>
Date: 2/2/19 9:01 am From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] north Davis sapsucker may be a hybrid
Credit to Gil Ewing, who raised some questions about the purported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in north Davis.
The vote right now is 6 for Red-naped x Yellow-bellied hybrid; zero for everything else.
*Comments are as follows:* The parallel lines of pale markings on the back is a Red-naped Sapsucker characteristic. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has messier, more diffuse markings on the back; that species holds juvenile plumage until much later, into late winter. I cannot see any hint of a red nape on this bird, so perhaps there is a mix of RNSA x YBSA heritage.
I agree that I don't think this can be a pure yellow-bellied based on the back pattern alone. There do appear to be some yellow-bellied characteristics including the lack of red on nape, plus the limited red on throat enclosed by a solid black border. I have no personal experience with these hybrids, but I would agree that a hybrid appears to be the most likely option here.
Retained juvenile plumage this far into the season is indicative of Yellow-bellied parentage. As I recall, many HY Yellow-bellied start their molt in the fall, but then suspend it through the winter months, so they can be quite variable in terms of overall development of adult-like plumage. That said, the back pattern is more suggestive or Red-naped, as is the overall head pattern which seems more black dominant than a typical Yellow-bellied (particularly a youngster). Young Yellow-bellied normally show a more white/buff dominant face pattern during first winter. The YBSA X RNSA hybrid theory makes sense for this bird.
Put me in the hybrid camp, too. There is a complete mix of characters here.
Date: 2/1/19 8:30 am From: <sami182...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Bald Eagle over Davis, Yolo County
Hi all,
Yesterday about 3:30 while looking for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in north Davis I looked up and saw a Bald Eagle soaring in from north of the spot. I began to circle over head and them moved higher and north.
A few minutes later Joan Humphrey came to lean her eyes to the search and located the sapucker in the pepper tree as previously described. I was just above eye level on a truck in the middle of the tree.
Believe I saw two trumpeter swans this morning. They were on a pond about .25 miles north of County road 25, about one mile west of the bypass. They were feeding in a shallow pond, sharing it with ducks but no other swans. Details and poor picture, because of distance, are at:
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52251588https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52251588
Date: 1/31/19 8:03 am From: Judy Spitler <judyspitler...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Cont. Rarities North Davis Ditch 1/30
The Tennessee Warbler was seen throughout the day with first ebird report at 9am high in eucalyptus and then Gary, Tim and I saw it in backyard water feature at 3:55 (entrance to trail at end of Elk). Shortly before that Gary and I had very short views of the Yellow bellied Sapsucker, tip of tree, north side of ditch, roughly across from water feature.
My first experience at this location, very nice. Thanks to everyone’s continued reports.
Date: 1/30/19 5:28 pm From: John Sterling <jsterling...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] western tanagers in davis
Also had one near my house in Woodland today.
Sent from my iPhone
John Sterling
530 908-3836
26 Palm Ave
Woodland, CA 95695
> On Jan 30, 2019, at 5:21 PM, <michaelperrone10...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
> In searching for the Tennessee warbler in the red-flowering eucalyptus between Elk Place and Kestrel Place in north Davis, I found two western tanagers, a male (on Jan 26) and a drab female (today).
>
>
>
> Michael perrone
>
> Davis
>
>
Date: 1/30/19 5:22 pm From: <michaelperrone10...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] western tanagers in davis
In searching for the Tennessee warbler in the red-flowering eucalyptus between Elk Place and Kestrel Place in north Davis, I found two western tanagers, a male (on Jan 26) and a drab female (today).
I just got a location for a burrowing owl on a rooftop in Tarpan Court, Elk Grove. It stayed on the roof for 2 days during the day, and is currently gone. Is there construction going on in the area between Franklin, Hood and 160?
Date: 1/30/19 1:42 pm From: Robert Furrow <robertfurrow...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Mountain Plovers continue on Hwy 45 south of the Yolo County line
Have others reached a similar conclusion about the sex of this Rough-legged
Hawk? My observations and other photos on eBird create a puzzling story --
the bird has the striking contrast of a paler breast and a dark belly
typical of a female, and has a very weak mustache. The dark eye and mottled
underwing definitely make it an adult. But the tail does look somewhat
banded (more obviously from above, not strongly from below). I had
concluded that is was a female, but perhaps I jumped the gun.
Thanks for any insights!
-Rob Furrow
On Wed, Jan 30, 2019 at 1:08 PM <calidris...>
[central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> With so many of us submitting reports via eBird, we often fail to update
> the list serve with sightings useful to others. Some, like me, are often
> out of state or the country and the list serve is a useful way to catch up
> on interesting bird activity.
>
>
> Yesterday, Robin and Richard Wolcott joined me to look for Mountain
> Plovers at the reported location on Hwy. 45 south of the Yolo County line..
> It was our first opportunity to do so and we went searching in spite of any
> recent reports. We were elated to find 15 Mountain Plovers in an old
> (fallow?) bean field on the west side of the highway and across from a
> complex of farm machinery and buildings. We took great care not to make
> the birds flush, but we did obtain some distant photos.
>
>
> A mile or two farther to the south, we found the Rough-legged Hawk that
> has been reported. I think this bird is an adult male judging from the
> tail pattern. It was also on the west side of the road and we were careful
> not to flush it.
>
>
> We hope these birds will continue wintering here and that others will take
> care not to disturb them so other may enjoy them.
>
>
> Good birding,
>
>
> Ed Harper
>
>
>
--
Robert Furrow
Davis, CA 95618
<robertfurrow...>
<rfurrow...>
Date: 1/30/19 1:09 pm From: <calidris...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Mountain Plovers continue on Hwy 45 south of the Yolo County line
With so many of us submitting reports via eBird, we often fail to update the list serve with sightings useful to others. Some, like me, are often out of state or the country and the list serve is a useful way to catch up on interesting bird activity.
Yesterday, Robin and Richard Wolcott joined me to look for Mountain Plovers at the reported location on Hwy. 45 south of the Yolo County line. It was our first opportunity to do so and we went searching in spite of any recent reports. We were elated to find 15 Mountain Plovers in an old (fallow?) bean field on the west side of the highway and across from a complex of farm machinery and buildings. We took great care not to make the birds flush, but we did obtain some distant photos.
A mile or two farther to the south, we found the Rough-legged Hawk that has been reported. I think this bird is an adult male judging from the tail pattern. It was also on the west side of the road and we were careful not to flush it.
We hope these birds will continue wintering here and that others will take care not to disturb them so other may enjoy them.
I spent some good time and effort birding E Levee Rd in Sacramento County this morning, searching unsuccessfully for some Eurasian Wigeon recently reported there.
In the flooded fields west of the road, approximately halfway between Elkhorn and Elverta roads were over 150 Tundra Swans and at least one Trumpeter Swan. A scope is essential for viewing these birds. Two Redheads (previously reported) continued in the pond just east of the road mixed in amongst many Canvasback. There was also a male Lesser Scaup present.
Details on my eBird checklist:https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52209759
Date: 1/29/19 7:51 pm From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Tenn Warbler and YB Sapsucker update from north Davis
Hello all,
Both birds continue to be seen-- I saw both late this afternoon-- in the north Davis greenbelt area between Elk and Eagle.
The Tennessee Warbler has bathed in my backyard fountain between 12:30 and 3:45pm. The latter was today-- perhaps it came so late because it was especially warm out. The fountain can be viewed from the greenbelt behind the basketball court. When foraging (most of the time), the warbler has been high in the red-flowering eucs down the bike path NE from the playground, often in the tree just before the one with the barn owl box. See my pic to see how short-tailed it is.
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is always on the north side of the ditch in backyard trees very near the foot path. It is often at drillings in the peppertree due north from the play structure. Otherwise, it "sleeps" with its back to you in the large mushroom-shaped willow which is the SE corner of the large yard with the tiered lawn (due north from the basketball court). It is very camaflauged against the trunk right where there is a large clump of dead leaves. See my pic of this.
Birders have also found some other wintering specialties: Cassin's Vireo and Western Tanager. Both of these were present last winter as well. A week or so ago I had a perfect pure Yellow-shafted Flicker by the foot bridge; it flew SE into town and I haven't seen it since.
Today Jan. 29 around 2:30 pm one of my upstream neighbors, Reuben Schilling, discovered a mature Bald eagle perched in a tree above Putah Creek about 100 yards downstream from Stevenson Bridge. Quite a surprise and definitely the first record in our neighborhood in the last 30 years.
Manfred Kusch
South bank of Putah Creek
3 miles W of Davis
I had a Northern Pygmy Owl call, unsolicited, at Lake Solano County Park on November 22, 2018. I don’t know Putah Creek well, but it looked all the historical records were upstream from there.
This morning in Putah Creek canyon, Yolo Co., I was surprised to hear a northern pygmy owl respond to an imitation of its call at Fishing Access #3, the furthest downstream that I have ever detected the species. We (Ann Brice and I) did not see the bird. Also present was a flock of eleven band-tailed pigeons, a pair of phainopeplas, and a pair of rufous-crowned sparrows along the highway.
Further upstream, at the bridge over Putah Creek, a Pacific wren called and was briefly seen on the Solano side. We dipped on the dipper, however.
This is not a report, simply a request. I'm interested in locating Mountain Plovers
for an old friend who will be visiting from Massachusetts. I've read the postings from a while back locating
the flock along Hwy. 45, south of Yolo County Line Rd., and those along Manning in Fresno
County. But I've not, however, seen anything posted recently. If anyone can provide updated advise, it would be most appreciated. Feel free to contact me directly.
Good birding, as always,
Tracy Farrington
Walnut Creek
Date: 1/28/19 5:03 pm From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Tall Forest bird survey date change
Dear Birders,
Owing to multiple schedule conflicts, I have had to change the date of the February Tall Forest bird survey to next Monday, 04 February. I apologize for opting for a weekday running of the survey. The last time I looked at the weather forecast, heavy rain was expected on Friday (perhaps an inch). If it truly rains that much, we will likely have to walk in from the Farm Center, adding 1.5 to 2.0 miles to the outing's walking distance. We will go through the Farm Center gate, corner of Bruceville and Desmond Roads, at 06:30. I will be covering what I can of my usual route in rubber knee boots. Despite the early season, warm weather may find us feeding mosquitoes unless armed with repellent.
As water has run off the floodplain, the midday pattern has returned of loafing and grazing by greater white-fronted geese near the intersection of Franklin Blvd. and Desmond Road. I failed to find a brant among the several hundred geese there today. A trio of the white-fronts had quite prominent yellow orbital rings but nothing else to suggest that they weren't greaters.
Date: 1/27/19 10:26 pm From: <rosita94598...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Sunday sunset on Woodbridge Road Jan 27
My wife and I took world famous author Jean Richmond to Woodbridge Road late today and had great birds and an even more wonderful sunset. Jean, the author of Birding Northern California from the mid-80s, is 92 years old and does not make it much farther from home than CVS, Safeway and church.
The Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, Snow Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese were wonderful to see and hear. A few other birds along the road were nice pluses, like the Kingfishers and AM Kestrels. We even heard some dueting Great Horned Owls before it was totally dark. And the colors in the sky reminded me of the sunset photos which used to be in the magazine Arizona Highways. Mt Diablo stood up like it was just right over there, and looking to the east in the fading light we could see snow on the Sierra crest.
My apologies but the google map coordinates I sent in this email were incorrect (they put you too far north).
The statement "in the eucalyptus and oaks halfway between Elk Place and Falcon" is correct. However, the correct google map coordinates are: 38.568375, -121.762314 (entering these directly into google maps will show you the spot).
Sorry if that confused anyone.
Thanks,
Jim Holmes
Sacramento, CA
From: James Holmes
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 1:08 PM
To: 'Central_Valley_Birds@Yahoogroups. Com' <central_valley_birds...>
Subject: Yolo Rarities Sunday morning 1.27.19
The Tennessee Warbler was present this morning in north Davis (in the eucalyptus and oaks halfway between Elk Place and Falcon). First seen around 9:05am at google map coordinates: 38.5713205,-121.7611313
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52097033
Date: 1/27/19 1:16 pm From: Clifford Hawley <yellowhammerCA...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Tennessee Warbler, North Davis Farms 1-27-2019
Hi birders,
My friend Linda and I are looking at the Tennessee Warbler between Elk and
Falcon on the greenbelt. The bird is high in a flowering eucalyptus right
at 38°34′5″ N 121°45′44″ W. Good birding.
The Tennessee Warbler was present this morning in north Davis (in the eucalyptus and oaks halfway between Elk Place and Falcon). First seen around 9:05am at google map coordinates: 38.5713205,-121.7611313
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52097033
Date: 1/26/19 5:58 pm From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Sacramento County birding (and a smidge of Amador Co.) the last two days
Dear Birders,
Yesterday I was permitted to visit a private ranch in far southeastern Sacramento County, the eastern boundary of this ranch being the Amador County line. I spent a long day on foot and covered ravines and ridges grown mostly to blue and interior live oaks, expanses of grassland and vernal pools, and small to medium size impoundments. I also did a tiny bit of herping, finding only a single *Batrachoseps attenuatus*. The birding was quite rewarding.
Best of the 80-odd species encountered was a Steller's jay. Other highlights included four cackling geese, three tundra swans (not the mute swans that are to be expected there), six hooded mergansers, eight American white pelicans, a bald eagle in her nest, a two red-shouldered hawks (on previous experience the least expectable raptor found here today), four ferruginous hawks (might easily have been twice that so numerous and widespread were the encounters), one rough-legged hawk, a great horned owl in her nest, 54 Lewis's woodpeckers (many more than I expected based on the findings of others in the low foothills), a merlin, a prairie falcon, three yellow-billed magpies (no longer close to regular there), four loggerhead shrikes, six mountain bluebirds, six purple finches and an impressive flock of 350-380 lesser goldfinches. Across the fence in Amador County were a phainopepla, two more purple finches and a sooty fox sparrow. Species more or less usual at the is time of year that I missed included burrowing owl, rock wren and rufous-crowned sparrow
The bald eagle nest can be viewed from the Rancho Seco-Howard Ranch Trail. The trailhead in at Rancho Seco Park and the walk takes one east onto a flat with vernal pools. The pools have no flowers as yet, but hopefully there will be a good showing this spring. To see the eagle nest, stop just at the second gate on the trail and look north-northwest to a grove of cottonwoods about a quarter mile away. A scope is useful, of course.
Today I helped Chris Conard do his monthly survey at Orr Ranch, a closed parcel of the Cosumnes River Preserve. Extensive flooding made it impossible to cover the usual route, so we did the best we could. And we found a few things of modest interest: two golden-crowned kinglets, a white-throated sparrow, two black-throated gray warblers and a Townsend's warbler.
Date: 1/26/19 4:23 pm From: Norcal Woods <norcalwood...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Least Bittern Payen Road/Carson Creek Lift Station
I birded both sites today (see my checklists @ the end of the message). I heard the Least Bittern from both spots. The bird was somewhere between the two, in the marshy area of Carson Creek. It sounded louder near Carson Creek. It’s of course possible there is more than one bird. There are Virginia Rails at both spots & a Sora was calling a bit @ Carson Creek as well.
Date: 1/26/19 1:36 pm From: Frank Fogarty <fogartyfa...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Re: Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Thanks, for sharing these Larry. Interesting to see the bill features more
closely. The older photos show the feathering at the base of the bill
extending very far down both along the top and sides of the bill. That's
very reminiscent of Emperor Goose (a feature that adds to the small-billed
appearance of that species). The other native geese (and Graylags) tend to
have much more exposed bill, especially at the top corners or across the
forehead. That bird also shows a noticeable grin patch, more so than I
would expect to see on a Canada, GWFG, or Ross's. That might be suggestive
of Snow Goose as the other parent. Hybrids are always tricky, though, as
they can show unexpected traits that are present in neither parent species.
Between the bluish tint to the back and the feathering pattern at the base
of the bill, it seems tough to exclude Emperor Goose as one of the parent
species.
Good birding,
Frank Fogarty
Oakland
On Sat, Jan 26, 2019 at 12:48 PM Larry Montgomery <telemark22...>
[central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
Date: 1/26/19 12:50 pm From: Larry Montgomery <telemark22...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Re: Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
The same, or a nearly identical, bird was found at Colusa 13 months ago. There were a number of (educated?) guesses as to parentage then.Larry MontgomerySacramento, Sacramento County, CA
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Unusual emperor x white-fronted goose on Colusa NWR auto tour. Photo by Mike Peters
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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Unusual emperor x white-fronted goose on Colusa NWR auto tour... Photo by Mike Peters
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Date: 1/25/19 6:44 pm From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Tennessee Warbler in Davis
This afternoon, while sitting at my kitchen table on a conference call and watching the usual parade of Yellow-rumped Warblers at my bird bath, I was gobsmacked to see a bright male Tennessee Warbler.
I assume the bird forages in the flowering eucs in the north Davis "ditch" between Elk Place and Kestrel.
Apparently this is a first winter record for the Central Valley.
Also, this morning I found a "Cassair" Junco at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, upper road near the reservoir and small equipment yard halfway between Pedrick and Hopkins. Pics at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52028155.
The Hammond's Flycatcher continues today at the Old City Cemetery in Sacramento, near the Mark Hopkins grave (to the north and northeast). Thanks to all who described it so well!
Also found single Townsend's and Black-throated Gray Warblers in redwoods near the Pratt grave, toward the south end of the cemetery.
Date: 1/23/19 1:16 pm From: Norcal Woods <norcalwood...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] NO Scoters @ Cameron Park Lake
Yesterday’s (01/22) Ebird rare bird alert had 1 White-Winged Scoter & 21 Black Scoters reported by an anonymous Ebirder @ Cameron Park Lake. As unlikely those sightings seemed, I decided to check them out since I live less than a half hour away. I walked the whole lake and was there for almost two hours. If they ever were there, which I doubt, they are not there today.
Date: 1/22/19 10:29 pm From: <calidris...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Greater Roadrunner at Sacramento NWR again
Today while departing Sacramento NWR with Robin and Richard Wolcott, we came across the Greater Roadrunner in the location described by Andrew and Irene Engilis in an earlier post. We were unaware of their sighting at the time, so it was an exciting and unexpected event. We saw the bird at 1:28 PM in the grassy area on the north side of the entrance road. We hope it stays around for others to see.
Also, the Vermilion Flycatcher continues at the Maxwell Cemetery. Today, around 2:00 PM, it was actively foraging in the southwest corner of the cemetery, but it undoubtedly moves around.
Date: 1/22/19 3:27 pm From: <maryolo1...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Current conditions on the Yolo Bypass WA
Hi all, After an inspection trip this morning, the decision was made to keep the Wildlife Area closed for a while longer. Part of the Auto Tour route is under water, and not only would there be risk to vehicles, but also further damage to the roads while they are mushy. When we are closed there is also no foot access allowed, so please be patient. Lots of water came down the side streams and the full moon part of the lunar cycle brings high tides that impede the water from flowing on down further into the Delta. It's dammed....inconvenient. Mary SchiedtDavis
Date: 1/21/19 10:26 pm From: Andrew Engilis <aengilisjr...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Fw: Greater Roadrunner at Sacramento NWR
________________________________
From: Andrew Engilis
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2019 7:14:44 PM
To: 'CV Birds'
Subject: Greater Roadrunner at Sacramento NWR
Today at 12:15 pm we found a Greater Roadrunner at Sacramento NWR main entrance. It was foraging in a grassy field just left of the entrance sign just after crossing the railroad tracks. We photographed the bird which was out in open for 5 minutes. We did not see the bird again when leaving at 1:45pm.
Date: 1/21/19 7:15 pm From: Andrew Engilis <aengilisjr...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Greater Roadrunner at Sacramento NWR
Today at 12:15 pm we found a Greater Roadrunner at Sacramento NWR main entrance. It was foraging in a grassy field just left of the entrance sign just after crossing the railroad tracks. We photographed the bird which was out in open for 5 minutes. We did not see the bird again when leaving at 1:45pm.
Date: 1/21/19 8:56 am From: <sami182...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Plumbeous Vireo in Yolo County
I received notification by Emmett Iverson and Holly Coates that they were watching a Plumbeous Vireo in Pioneer Park in east Woodland, California.
I was able to get out to see this birds as were others. Great find by Karen Richardson of an uncommon bird.
Date: 1/21/19 8:31 am From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is closed
Flooding appears minimal. I don’t have any details when it will reopen
--
Steve Hampton
Davis, CA
Date: 1/20/19 9:38 am From: John and Glennah Trochet <trochetj...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] walking tour around Tall Forest yesterday
Dear Birders,
Yesterday I visited around the Tall Forest at the Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County. I have not advertised a public survey this month owing to the federal government's partial shutdown. The Farm Center gate, access to the all-weather road to the forest, belongs to BLM, and during the shutdown it is closed to all use. After the recent rains, the dirt roads are off-limits, too. So I walked in from another point, and according to the path function on Google Earth, I walked a little over 11 miles between 06:45 and 14:05.
There were several highlights: two Eurasian wigeon males, a white-throated swift, kicking up two Virginia rails and three soras from the edge of a shallowly flooded road, a lesser yellowlegs, six species of gulls (more on these below), rough-legged hawk, peregrine falcon and three blue-gray gnatcatchers.
For 25 years I have been keenly interested in the preserve. I think that I know a fair amount about it, specifically what flows in the river correspond to what degree of flooding. But I was astonished at how high the flood waters were east and especially north of the forest block. I was unable to get into the woods anywhere. So my visit was entirely one of checking ditch banks and flooded (and a few unflooded) fields. One of these fields was in between- it was in the process of flooding. The advancing feathered edge was forcing field crickets out of their terrestrial retreats- and into the maws of a large mixed flock of voracious gulls. Of the six species (the single Bonaparte's gull was not part of the feeding frenzy), best at this location were an Iceland (Thayer's) gull and a glaucous-winged gull. Of the 250 gulls, about 200 were ring-billed gulls. The assembly included smaller numbers of California and herring gulls, too. All but a few herring gulls were adults. I have seen this once before at the preserve. I am amazed that this large (large for the Cosumnes River Preserve) gathering of gulls finds this brief pulse of food availability.
At the end of the outing I drove to the junction of Desmond Road and Franklin Boulevard, where the brant had recently been seen. There were no geese present.
Date: 1/20/19 8:48 am From: <michaelperrone10...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] eagles in Yolo
A visit to Capay Valley and Dunnigan Hills on Jan 19 turned up three adult bald eagles along Cache Creek between Guinda and Rumsey, and four golden eagles in the Dunnigan Hills, one over County Road 8 and three along Road 85 between Rds 8 and 13.
Also in the area were seven hooded mergansers on Bear Creek along Hiway 16 (Colusa Co.), a hairy woodpecker, a phainopepla, and a white X golden-crowned sparrow at Full Belly Farm near Guinda, and several Lewis's woodpeckers along Rd 86 north of Rd 8.
Another birder reported a roadrunner along Rd 8, both at the edge of the orchard and across the road in the field with cattle.
From: <central_valley_birds...> <central_valley_birds...> On Behalf Of BRUCE DEUEL <bdeuel...> [central_valley_birds]
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2019 10:21 AM
To: ColimaBirder <colimabirder...>
Cc: <marksawyer3383...>; Central Valley Birders <central_valley_birds...>; Matthew Dodder <mdodder...>; naturestoc <Naturestoc...>; naturestoc <Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Hi all,
I agree with Bruce Webb that other views are desirable, but this looks very much like pictures of hybrid Canada X Snow that I just looked at on the Internet because of a pair of similar geese that showed up in Redding a few days ago.
Cheers,
Bruce Deuel
Red Bluff
_____
From: "ColimaBirder <colimabirder...> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
To: <marksawyer3383...>
Cc: "Central Valley Birders" <central_valley_birds...>, "Matthew Dodder" <mdodder...>, "naturestoc" <Naturestoc...>, "naturestoc <Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2019 7:19:04 AM
Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
A pure Emperor Goose has all white tail plus black undertail coverts. This goose appears to show white under the tail.
Until we see different views and angles, I’d leave the identification as Curious Goose.
My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule” Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid, oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has thoughts about this curious Goose.
Date: 1/19/19 2:21 pm From: BRUCE DEUEL <bdeuel...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Sorry, no Emperor has pure white undertail coverts and lower belly. This has to be a hybrid, but I leave it open as to what the parents are. The most similar picture I've found is of hybrid Emperor X Barnacle Goose! Such a hybrid, which can only occur in captivity, would, I think, be smaller than a white-front, so who knows what it is.
Cheers,
Bruce Deuel
Red Bluff
From: "naturestoc <Naturestoc...>, central_valley_birds" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
To: "Central Valley Birders" <central_valley_birds...>
Cc: "marksawyer3383" <marksawyer3383...>, "Matthew Dodder" <mdodder...>, "naturestoc" <Naturestoc...>, "naturestoc <Naturestoc...>, central_valley_birds" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2019 12:22:35 PM
Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Mathew,
Sure looks great for a molting juvenile Emperor Goose.
Color pattern of entire bird and size look great.
Dave Barry
Santa Rosa.
On Saturday, January 19, 2019, 10:57:51 AM PST, Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
Hello all,
How about a Snow X White-fronted Goose.
Bob & Carol Yutzy Redding, CA
On Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:20 AM, BRUCE DEUEL <bdeuel...>
[central_valley_birds] wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
> I agree with Bruce Webb that other views are desirable, but this looks
> very much like pictures of hybrid Canada X Snow that I just looked at
> on the Internet because of a pair of similar geese that showed up in
> Redding a few days ago.
>
> Cheers,
> Bruce Deuel
> Red Bluff
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> *From: *"ColimaBirder <colimabirder...> [central_valley_birds]"
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> *To: *<marksawyer3383...>
> *Cc: *"Central Valley Birders" <central_valley_birds...>,
> "Matthew Dodder" <mdodder...>, "naturestoc"
> <Naturestoc...>, "naturestoc <Naturestoc...>
> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> *Sent: *Saturday, January 19, 2019 7:19:04 AM
> *Subject: *Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
>
> A pure Emperor Goose has all white tail plus black undertail coverts.
> This goose appears to show white under the tail.
>
> Until we see different views and angles, I’d leave the identification
> as Curious Goose.
>
> Bruce Webb
> Granite Bay, CA
>
> On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 6:53 AM Mark Sawyer <marksawyer3383...>
> <mailto:<marksawyer3383...> [central_valley_birds]
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> wrote:
>
> Emperor Goose!
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://go.onelink.me/107872968?pid=InProduct&c=Global_Internal_YGrowth_AndroidEmailSig__AndroidUsers_wl=ym_sub1=Internal_sub2=Global_YGrowth_sub3=EmailSignature>
>
> On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 5:35 AM, naturestoc <Naturestoc...>
> <mailto:<Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds]
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> wrote:
> It looks alot like an Emperor Goose!
>
> Dan Brown
> Sacramento
>
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: "Matthew Dodder <mdodder...>
> <mailto:<mdodder...> [central_valley_birds]"
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> > Date: 1/18/19 11:02 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: CV Birds <central_valley_birds...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds...>> > Subject: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
>
> My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an
> interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this
> afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the
> adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule”
> Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the
> head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It
> appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s
> Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can
> attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link
> to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures
> taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid,
> oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even
> something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has
> thoughts about this curious Goose.
>
> https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51809224 >
> Matthew Dodder
> Mountain View
>
> --
> Bruce Webb
> Granite Bay, California
>
>
>
>
Date: 1/19/19 12:51 pm From: David Barry <ramsman...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Mathew,
Sure looks great for a molting juvenile Emperor Goose.
Color pattern of entire bird and size look great.
Dave BarrySanta Rosa.
On Saturday, January 19, 2019, 10:57:51 AM PST, Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
Hello all,
How about a Snow X White-fronted Goose.
Bob & Carol Yutzy Redding, CA
On Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:20 AM, BRUCE DEUEL <bdeuel...>
[central_valley_birds] wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
> I agree with Bruce Webb that other views are desirable, but this looks
> very much like pictures of hybrid Canada X Snow that I just looked at
> on the Internet because of a pair of similar geese that showed up in
> Redding a few days ago.
>
> Cheers,
> Bruce Deuel
> Red Bluff
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> *From: *"ColimaBirder <colimabirder...> [central_valley_birds]"
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> *To: *<marksawyer3383...>
> *Cc: *"Central Valley Birders" <central_valley_birds...>,
> "Matthew Dodder" <mdodder...>, "naturestoc"
> <Naturestoc...>, "naturestoc <Naturestoc...>
> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> *Sent: *Saturday, January 19, 2019 7:19:04 AM
> *Subject: *Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
>
> A pure Emperor Goose has all white tail plus black undertail coverts.
> This goose appears to show white under the tail.
>
> Until we see different views and angles, I’d leave the identification
> as Curious Goose.
>
> Bruce Webb
> Granite Bay, CA
>
> On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 6:53 AM Mark Sawyer <marksawyer3383...>
> <mailto:<marksawyer3383...> [central_valley_birds]
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> wrote:
>
> Emperor Goose!
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://go.onelink.me/107872968?pid=InProduct&c=Global_Internal_YGrowth_AndroidEmailSig__AndroidUsers_wl=ym_sub1=Internal_sub2=Global_YGrowth_sub3=EmailSignature>
>
> On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 5:35 AM, naturestoc <Naturestoc...>
> <mailto:<Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds]
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> wrote:
> It looks alot like an Emperor Goose!
>
> Dan Brown
> Sacramento
>
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: "Matthew Dodder <mdodder...>
> <mailto:<mdodder...> [central_valley_birds]"
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> > Date: 1/18/19 11:02 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: CV Birds <central_valley_birds...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds...>> > Subject: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
>
> My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an
> interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this
> afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the
> adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule”
> Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the
> head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It
> appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s
> Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can
> attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link
> to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures
> taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid,
> oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even
> something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has
> thoughts about this curious Goose.
>
> https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51809224 >
> Matthew Dodder
> Mountain View
>
> --
> Bruce Webb
> Granite Bay, California
>
>
>
>
Date: 1/19/19 10:57 am From: Bob & Carol Yutzy <boby...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Hello all,
How about a Snow X White-fronted Goose.
Bob & Carol Yutzy Redding, CA
On Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:20 AM, BRUCE DEUEL <bdeuel...>
[central_valley_birds] wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
> I agree with Bruce Webb that other views are desirable, but this looks
> very much like pictures of hybrid Canada X Snow that I just looked at
> on the Internet because of a pair of similar geese that showed up in
> Redding a few days ago.
>
> Cheers,
> Bruce Deuel
> Red Bluff
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From: *"ColimaBirder <colimabirder...> [central_valley_birds]"
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> *To: *<marksawyer3383...>
> *Cc: *"Central Valley Birders" <central_valley_birds...>,
> "Matthew Dodder" <mdodder...>, "naturestoc"
> <Naturestoc...>, "naturestoc <Naturestoc...>
> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> *Sent: *Saturday, January 19, 2019 7:19:04 AM
> *Subject: *Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
>
> A pure Emperor Goose has all white tail plus black undertail coverts.
> This goose appears to show white under the tail.
>
> Until we see different views and angles, I’d leave the identification
> as Curious Goose.
>
> Bruce Webb
> Granite Bay, CA
>
> On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 6:53 AM Mark Sawyer <marksawyer3383...>
> <mailto:<marksawyer3383...> [central_valley_birds]
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> wrote:
>
> Emperor Goose!
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://go.onelink.me/107872968?pid=InProduct&c=Global_Internal_YGrowth_AndroidEmailSig__AndroidUsers&af_wl=ym&af_sub1=Internal&af_sub2=Global_YGrowth&af_sub3=EmailSignature> >
> On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 5:35 AM, naturestoc <Naturestoc...>
> <mailto:<Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds]
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> wrote:
> It looks alot like an Emperor Goose!
>
> Dan Brown
> Sacramento
>
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: "Matthew Dodder <mdodder...>
> <mailto:<mdodder...> [central_valley_birds]"
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds-noreply...>> > Date: 1/18/19 11:02 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: CV Birds <central_valley_birds...>
> <mailto:<central_valley_birds...>> > Subject: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
>
> My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an
> interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this
> afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the
> adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule”
> Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the
> head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It
> appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s
> Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can
> attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link
> to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures
> taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid,
> oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even
> something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has
> thoughts about this curious Goose.
>
> https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51809224 >
> Matthew Dodder
> Mountain View
>
> --
> Bruce Webb
> Granite Bay, California
>
>
>
>
Date: 1/19/19 10:21 am From: BRUCE DEUEL <bdeuel...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Hi all,
I agree with Bruce Webb that other views are desirable, but this looks very much like pictures of hybrid Canada X Snow that I just looked at on the Internet because of a pair of similar geese that showed up in Redding a few days ago.
Cheers,
Bruce Deuel
Red Bluff
From: "ColimaBirder <colimabirder...> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
To: <marksawyer3383...>
Cc: "Central Valley Birders" <central_valley_birds...>, "Matthew Dodder" <mdodder...>, "naturestoc" <Naturestoc...>, "naturestoc <Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2019 7:19:04 AM
Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
A pure Emperor Goose has all white tail plus black undertail coverts. This goose appears to show white under the tail.
Until we see different views and angles, I’d leave the identification as Curious Goose.
My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule” Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid, oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has thoughts about this curious Goose.
Date: 1/19/19 7:45 am From: Steve Hampton <stevechampton...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Mountain Plovers on Road 45 and other nearby birds
Keith Bailey and I were right behind you-- we couldn't find the plovers
(just after you left) but we had a Rough-legged Hawk at point blank range
for 10 minutes just south of there. Also a Ferruginous. A Prairie Falcon
flew over us just north of Knight's Landing. A Varied Thrush was singing at
the east end of Rd 112 by the houses.
Also, there's an eBird report of a Hutton's Vireo at Pioneer Park in
Woodland that is clearly a PLUMBEOUS VIREO by the photos.
On Fri, Jan 18, 2019 at 10:48 PM Matthew Dodder <mdodder...>
[central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Members of my Palo Alto Adult School birding class stopped along Road 45
> this afternoon on our way to Yuba City. We birded along Road 45 just south
> of County Line Road where we encountered a tight flock of 40-50 MOUNTAIN
> PLOVERS. The count was made as the flock relocated over the organic farm
> field and was observed at length as they landed again. Of course, there are
> many Killdeer in this area as well. Also in the area were two SHORT-EARED
> OWLS.
>
> Matthew Dodder
> Mountain View
>
>
>
Date: 1/19/19 7:23 am From: ColimaBirder <colimabirder...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
A pure Emperor Goose has all white tail plus black undertail coverts. This
goose appears to show white under the tail.
Until we see different views and angles, I’d leave the identification as
Curious Goose.
Bruce Webb
Granite Bay, CA
On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 6:53 AM Mark Sawyer <marksawyer3383...>
[central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Emperor Goose!
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://go.onelink.me/107872968?pid=InProduct&c=Global_Internal_YGrowth_AndroidEmailSig__AndroidUsers&af_wl=ym&af_sub1=Internal&af_sub2=Global_YGrowth&af_sub3=EmailSignature> >
> On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 5:35 AM, naturestoc <Naturestoc...>
> [central_valley_birds]
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> It looks alot like an Emperor Goose!
>
> Dan Brown
> Sacramento
>
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: "Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> [central_valley_birds]" <
> <central_valley_birds-noreply...>
> Date: 1/18/19 11:02 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: CV Birds <central_valley_birds...>
> Subject: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
>
> My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an interesting Goose from
> the main platform at Colusa NWR this afternoon. It was very slightly
> larger, and bulkier than the adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese
> (including some “Tule” Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of
> white on the head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It
> appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s Goose, but the
> features did not add up. I don’t know if I can attach images on this list,
> so I will instead provide a link to the eBird checklist which will shortly
> include pictures taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid,
> oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even something more
> interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has thoughts about this curious
> Goose.
>
> https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51809224 >
> Matthew Dodder
> Mountain View
>
>
>
--
Bruce Webb
Granite Bay, California
Date: 1/19/19 6:52 am From: Mark Sawyer <marksawyer3383...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Emperor Goose!
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 5:35 AM, naturestoc <Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds]<central_valley_birds-noreply...> wrote:
It looks alot like an Emperor Goose!
Dan Brown Sacramento
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: "Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Date: 1/18/19 11:02 PM (GMT-08:00) To: CV Birds <central_valley_birds...> Subject: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule” Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid, oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has thoughts about this curious Goose.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51809224
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Date: 1/19/19 6:47 am From: 'L Markoff' <canyoneagle...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: RE: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
Just wanted to add, an Emperor Goose wintered in the Bend, OR area last winter. It has not been seen this year, as far as I know. Perhaps this is that same bird, wintering further south this year?
Lori Markoff
currently Eugene, OR, moving to Citrus Heights
From: <central_valley_birds...> [mailto:<central_valley_birds...>] On Behalf Of naturestoc <Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds]
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2019 5:35 AM
To: Matthew Dodder; CV Birds
Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule” Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid, oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has thoughts about this curious Goose.
Date: 1/19/19 5:34 am From: naturestoc <Naturestoc...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
It looks alot like an Emperor Goose! Dan Brown Sacramento
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: "Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> [central_valley_birds]" <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Date: 1/18/19 11:02 PM (GMT-08:00) To: CV Birds <central_valley_birds...> Subject: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule” Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid, oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has thoughts about this curious Goose. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51809224
Date: 1/18/19 11:03 pm From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Curious Goose at Colusa NWR
My Palo Alto Adult School birding class observed an interesting Goose from the main platform at Colusa NWR this afternoon. It was very slightly larger, and bulkier than the adjacent Greater White-fronted Geese (including some “Tule” Greater With-fronted Geese). It showed a lot of white on the head and nape, and appeared entirely scalloped silver gray… It appeared at first to be a blue-morph Snow Goose or Ross’s Goose, but the features did not add up. I don’t know if I can attach images on this list, so I will instead provide a link to the eBird checklist which will shortly include pictures taken by one of the participants. Perhaps it is a hybrid, oddly-plumaged Greater White-fronted, or perhaps even something more interesting… I would love to hear if anyone has thoughts about this curious Goose.
Date: 1/18/19 10:47 pm From: Matthew Dodder <mdodder...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Mountain Plovers on Road 45
Members of my Palo Alto Adult School birding class stopped along Road 45 this afternoon on our way to Yuba City. We birded along Road 45 just south of County Line Road where we encountered a tight flock of 40-50 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS. The count was made as the flock relocated over the organic farm field and was observed at length as they landed again. Of course, there are many Killdeer in this area as well. Also in the area were two SHORT-EARED OWLS.
Date: 1/16/19 6:27 pm From: Chris Conard <conardc...> [central_valley_birds] <central_valley_birds-noreply...> Subject: [CVBirds] Folsom CBC summary, 30 Dec 2018
Hi folks,
We ran the 41st Folsom Christmas Bird Count on December 30, 2018, on a calm and mostly sunny day. There were a record 84 counters in a record 34 parties, and a couple of areas did some owling. In some areas it is fair to say we had nearly complete coverage. The species total was also a new record of 148, outside the historic range of 123 to the previous high of 146. As might be expected on a record count, there were several highlights, though despite excellent diversity, many observers reported fairly low numbers of many common species. Unlike counts on the flats of the Valley, this count struggles to come up with a good showing of waterfowl. Singles saved us from missing Snow Goose and Cackling Goose, while we missed Greater White-fronted Goose, but did have one flock of 22 Tundra Swans. Invasive Mute Swan numbers are growing with a record high of 33. Ducks were mixed, with misses of Northern Shoveler and Canvasback, while we did pick up two Lesser Scaup, which have been missed. Inexplicably, with so many people in the field, we recorded only one Wood Duck. An impressive 57 Barrow's Goldeneye were found, while Hooded Mergansers, at 21, were just over half of last year's total. The star of the show was the continuing male White-winged Scoter on the American River near the Nimbus Hatchery.
We missed Ring-necked Pheasant as we often do, but a single American Bittern and two Black-crowned Night-Herons were nice additions. On a count typically with low shorebird diversity, we missed Long-billed Dowitcher. At 14,000 total, gulls were only a quarter of typical numbers. No rare gulls were found, but four Mew Gulls were nice for a species sometimes missed. Of those identified to species, California Gulls made up 82%, while Herring Gulls were over 16%, and Ring-billed Gulls accounted for less than 2%. A Pacific Loon continuing at Folsom Point was excellent, but that only one Common Loon was reported is quite a surprise (last year there were 12).
We found one Osprey and seven Bald Eagles (including two pairs at nests), plus nine Ferruginous Hawks, and an impressive four Rough-legged Hawks. An adult Golden Eagle was a nice surprise for a species increasingly missed. Sticking with birds of prey, we found four Merlins (down from last year's ten), two Prairie Falcons, and only one Peregrine Falcon. Three Barn Owls were good for a species easily missed, and we found three Burrowing Owls and one Western Screech-Owl. A single Northern Pygmy-Owl was an excellent find. It is yet another winter with paltry totals of Lewis's Woodpeckers; two groups found a total of three. Five Hairy Woodpeckers is a nice total for a species missed about one-third of the time. Loggerhead Shrikes continue at low numbers, with two this year, while a Northern Shrike was found for the third time at the Peninsula portion of Folsom Lake SRA. This is the fourth for the count overall, and not a huge surprise in a season where this species has been reported from many sites in the region.
Only 35 Yellow-billed Magpies were down slightly from last year's 40, but much better than the previous year's low of 13. At 43, Common Ravens came in just below the record of 47, though we missed Steller's Jay as we do about one-third of the time. We found three Brown Creepers, missed Red-breasted Nuthatch, found three Golden-crowned Kinglets in a year where they have been hard to find, and turned up an impressive eight Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. A single Varied Thrush was a nice find in a season where they have been hard to come by, though we missed Common Yellowthroat as we often do. A sampling of additional numbers includes 422 Anna's Hummingbirds, 295 Black Phoebes, 622 Oak Titmouses, 662 Western Bluebirds, five California Thrashers, 71 Phainopeplas, five Orange-crowned Warblers, and two Chipping Sparrows. One of 548 Dark-eyed Juncos was Slate-colored, as was one of 35 Fox Sparrows. Three Bell's Sparrows and two Lawrence's Goldfinches were both nice finds. Purple Finches had a good showing with 48, while we were lucky to pick up three Pine Siskins in this non-invasion year. The most ominous number was only one Tricolored Blackbird. Much of the species' breeding and foraging habitat within the count circle is currently being converted to human habitat south of Hwy 50.
Thanks to all who participated and especially to the area leaders who do a lot of extra work organizing their teams.
