Date: 2/9/25 8:10 pm From: John Lace via groups.io <jozyme...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Short-eared Owlpalooza , Sonoma County ,Jan, 23, 2025
Yes it was the HSWEP. We were there this afternoon and saw the Short-eared Owls from the levee to the west of the hay barn. They were pretty far away but identifiable by their flight patterns. Inside the hay barn was a calling Great-horned Owl, making for a Superb Owl Sunday.
John Lace, visiting from Grass Valley, CA
Date: 2/8/25 9:33 pm From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] 2: Ebird checklist link # for my earlier Barrow's Golden post:
Date: 2/8/25 9:31 pm From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Female & Male Barrow's Goldeneye Together @ Bel Marin Keys' Montego Bay, Novato, Marin Co.
2/8/25
Similar to many recent, consecutive non-breeding season sightings, I noticed the presence of *BARROW'S GOLDENEYE* foraging amid a large throng of Common Goldeneye at the above site in the subject box.
This sighting is NOT surprising, given you may also know this venue (directions below) is a "hot spot" for detecting this more northerly breeder* during our current non-breeding season.
(* = Small populations of this diving duck breed in OR and WA and into the entire province of BC and western AL....and north to SE & SW AK, and the two of the NW Territories.....and I am flattered to see this species near its nests when I visit Alaska.)
The female and male Barrow's Goldeneye I observed today were approx. .3 mile from the parking lot trailhead that is immediately east of the meditation center/retreat center...(which is immediately east of Pacheco Pond).
Photos? I'll return tomorrow or Monday to seek a photo of these two individuals, given the light was poor at the time
I visited.
My eBird checklist description for these sightings is at the following link and states:
" 1 male and female together approx. .3 mile from the trailhead accessed via the small parking lot that is immediately east of the meditation/retreat center on Bel Marin Keys, Novato.
All yellow bill and acute, sharply cut-off "forehead" of female....and male expressed the 1st quarter crescent moon white shape at the base of the bill.
Interesting these two were isolated from the larger groups consisting entirely of Common Goldeneye."
Directions:
From the Bel Marin Keys exit on Hwy. 101, go east past the large Pacheco Pond on your right...then, after the retreat center appears, turn into the parking lot BEFORE you enter the Bel Marin Keys residential neighborhood. At the parking lot for 6-8 cars, you'll see a baylet — Montego Bay — on your left. Follow the trail straight and where it bends east sharply look for the Barrow's Goldeneye here 300' from the trail.
Regards, Daniel Edelstein
Novato, CA
WarblerWatch.com
Date: 2/4/25 9:59 pm From: Brock Dolman via groups.io <brock...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Yellow-billed Loon at BB continues & a Nashville Warbler at Diekmann's
Hi Birders,
Lisa’s post about the Yellow-billed Loon inspired me to brave the very windy & rainy conditions this afternoon and I was so happy I did as I was able to see the YBLO. At first far out in center of Bay SE of Spud Point, but then later it came into the calmer impoundment area between the concrete walk way and boat docks. I also picked up a nice male Nashville Warbler at Diekmann’s.
Date: 2/3/25 5:00 pm From: Lisa Hug via groups.io <lisahug...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Yellow-billed Loon
Hi Birders,
This morning I took advantage of the break in the rain to visit Bodega
Bay. There was a Yellow-billed Loon (possibly a returning bird from
last year) at Spud Point Marina in the impoundment between the concrete
walkway and the boat docks. This bird was found last week by Betsy
Crouthamel and Connie Haille.
Date: 1/28/25 6:56 pm From: Maureen Lahiff via groups.io <MLahiff...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 05:28:43 PM PST, Jeff Miller via groups.io <jmiller...> wrote:
I concur with Maggie and Denise – lots of great field trips, presentations and vendors/conservation groups at this festival.
I’ll be giving a talk at the Flyway Festival on Saturday at 2 pm on the status of burrowing owls in California and the effort to get them protected under the state endangered species act.
I’ll also have copies available of my book,Bay Area Wildlife: An Irreverent Guide. Available from Heyday Books and on The Irreverent Naturalist web site.
Jeff
Jeff Miller
Senior Conservation Advocate
Center for Biological Diversity
(510) 499-9185
www.biologicaldiversity.org
From: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...>On Behalf Of Denise Hamilton via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 5:05 PM
To: <magwhls...>
Cc: Northbay Birds <northbaybirds...>
Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island
I'd like to thank Maggie for sending this out, since I was just going to do it on behalf of Napa-Solano Audubon! Please do check out the website - lots of great speakers and activities for kids, birdwalks, and all sorts of exhibitors relating to birds and the environment.
Cheers,
Denise Hamilton
Napa
On Tue, Jan 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM Maggie Rufo viagroups.io <magwhls...> wrote:
Hello,
I have only just learned about this within the past few days and I thought maybe other people don’t know about it either. Some may recall that there used to be a birding and nature festival on Mare Island called the Flyway Festival. Apparently this is a new festival run by a different organization. There are several opportunities to go on a tour of Skaggs Island, which is a place you can only go with a permitted guide.
|
|
|
|
Winged Migration Expo / Feb 1 & 2 / Mare Island, Vallejo
Date: 1/28/25 6:05 pm From: Terry Berger via groups.io <terryberger6675...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island
That link was missing a few letters. Here is the working link.https://www.wingedmigrationexpo.comSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: "richard s. cimino via groups.io" <rscimino...> Date: 1/28/25 5:41 PM (GMT-08:00) To: <jmiller...>, <2napabirders...>, <magwhls...> Cc: 'Northbay Birds' <northbaybirds...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island I agree with the three of you, there must be some happiness in the world.Are you looking for some level of happiness in your life? Why not attend the Wing Migration Expo this weekend go to; WWW.WINGMIGRATIONEXPO.COM I’ll be giving a power point presentation Sunday at noon topic is: Birds of the Sierra Nevada.My bird touring company YELLOWBILLEDTOURS.COM now in its twenty five year will have two tables please stop by say hello and be ready to talk about the happiness in birding. Rich CiminoYellowbilledtoursTwenty-five of leading birding tours in the Western Hemisphere,www.yellowbilledtours.comMarin CountyCell;925-353-0266 From: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> On Behalf Of Jeff Miller via groups.ioSent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 5:28 PMTo: <2napabirders...>; <magwhls...>: Northbay Birds <northbaybirds...>Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island I concur with Maggie and Denise – lots of great field trips, presentations and vendors/conservation groups at this festival. I’ll be giving a talk at the Flyway Festival on Saturday at 2 pm on the status of burrowing owls in California and the effort to get them protected under the state endangered species act. I’ll also have copies available of my book, Bay Area Wildlife: An Irreverent Guide. Available from Heyday Books and on The Irreverent Naturalist web site. Jeff Jeff MillerSenior Conservation AdvocateCenter for Biological Diversity(510) 499-9185www.biologicaldiversity.org From: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> On Behalf Of Denise Hamilton via groups.ioSent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 5:05 PMTo: <magwhls...>: Northbay Birds <northbaybirds...>Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island I'd like to thank Maggie for sending this out, since I was just going to do it on behalf of Napa-Solano Audubon! Please do check out the website - lots of great speakers and activities for kids, birdwalks, and all sorts of exhibitors relating to birds and the environment. Cheers,Denise HamiltonNapa On Tue, Jan 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM Maggie Rufo via groups.io <magwhls...> wrote:Hello, I have only just learned about this within the past few days and I thought maybe other people don’t know about it either. Some may recall that there used to be a birding and nature festival on Mare Island called the Flyway Festival. Apparently this is a new festival run by a different organization. There are several opportunities to go on a tour of Skaggs Island, which is a place you can only go with a permitted guide. Winged Migration Expo / Feb 1 & 2 / Mare Island, Vallejowingedmigrationexpo.com Maggie Rufo
Date: 1/28/25 5:41 pm From: richard s. cimino via groups.io <rscimino...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island
I agree with the three of you, there must be some happiness in the world.
Are you looking for some level of happiness in your life?
Why not attend the Wing Migration Expo this weekend go to;
I’ll be giving a power point presentation Sunday at noon topic is: Birds of the Sierra Nevada.
My bird touring company YELLOWBILLEDTOURS.COM now in its twenty five year will have two tables please stop by say hello and be ready to talk about the happiness in birding.
Rich Cimino
Yellowbilledtours
Twenty-five of leading birding tours in the Western Hemisphere,
From: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> On Behalf Of Jeff Miller via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 5:28 PM
To: <2napabirders...>; <magwhls...>
Cc: Northbay Birds <northbaybirds...>
Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island
I concur with Maggie and Denise – lots of great field trips, presentations and vendors/conservation groups at this festival.
I’ll be giving a talk at the Flyway Festival on Saturday at 2 pm on the status of burrowing owls in California and the effort to get them protected under the state endangered species act.
I’ll also have copies available of my book, Bay Area Wildlife: An Irreverent Guide. Available from Heyday Books and on The Irreverent Naturalist web site.
I'd like to thank Maggie for sending this out, since I was just going to do it on behalf of Napa-Solano Audubon! Please do check out the website - lots of great speakers and activities for kids, birdwalks, and all sorts of exhibitors relating to birds and the environment.
I have only just learned about this within the past few days and I thought maybe other people don’t know about it either. Some may recall that there used to be a birding and nature festival on Mare Island called the Flyway Festival. Apparently this is a new festival run by a different organization. There are several opportunities to go on a tour of Skaggs Island, which is a place you can only go with a permitted guide.
Date: 1/28/25 5:28 pm From: Jeff Miller via groups.io <jmiller...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island
I concur with Maggie and Denise – lots of great field trips, presentations and vendors/conservation groups at this festival.
I’ll be giving a talk at the Flyway Festival on Saturday at 2 pm on the status of burrowing owls in California and the effort to get them protected under the state endangered species act.
I’ll also have copies available of my book, Bay Area Wildlife: An Irreverent Guide. Available from Heyday Books and on The Irreverent Naturalist web site.
Jeff
Jeff Miller
Senior Conservation Advocate
Center for Biological Diversity
(510) 499-9185
www.biologicaldiversity.org<http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/>
From: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> On Behalf Of Denise Hamilton via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 5:05 PM
To: <magwhls...>
Cc: Northbay Birds <northbaybirds...>
Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island
I'd like to thank Maggie for sending this out, since I was just going to do it on behalf of Napa-Solano Audubon! Please do check out the website - lots of great speakers and activities for kids, birdwalks, and all sorts of exhibitors relating to birds and the environment.
I have only just learned about this within the past few days and I thought maybe other people don’t know about it either. Some may recall that there used to be a birding and nature festival on Mare Island called the Flyway Festival. Apparently this is a new festival run by a different organization. There are several opportunities to go on a tour of Skaggs Island, which is a place you can only go with a permitted guide.
Date: 1/28/25 5:23 pm From: Denise Hamilton via groups.io <2napabirders...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] New Bird/Nature Festival this weekend on Mare Island
I'd like to thank Maggie for sending this out, since I was just going to do
it on behalf of Napa-Solano Audubon! Please do check out the website -
lots of great speakers and activities for kids, birdwalks, and all sorts of
exhibitors relating to birds and the environment.
Cheers,
Denise Hamilton
Napa
On Tue, Jan 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM Maggie Rufo via groups.io <magwhls=
<comcast.net...> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have only just learned about this within the past few days and I thought
> maybe other people don’t know about it either. Some may recall that there
> used to be a birding and nature festival on Mare Island called the Flyway
> Festival. Apparently this is a new festival run by a different
> organization. There are several opportunities to go on a tour of Skaggs
> Island, which is a place you can only go with a permitted guide.
>
> [image: e42d2d_558692e766a940e9b70a1376306e30ba~mv2.jpg]
>
> Winged Migration Expo / Feb 1 & 2 / Mare Island, Vallejo
> <https://www.wingedmigrationexpo.com/> > wingedmigrationexpo.com <https://www.wingedmigrationexpo.com/> > <https://www.wingedmigrationexpo.com/> >
> Maggie Rufo
>
>
>
Date: 1/28/25 1:53 pm From: jimwhitebbs via groups.io <jimwhitebbs...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Possible Arctic Loon off Sausalito
Hi Birders,
I was scoping from Dunphy Park in Sausalito around 10::30 am and saw a
dark mantled loon with a prominent white flank patch above the water line
that may be an Arctic Loon. It was 1/2 way over to Belvedere and riding
the tide toward Richardson Bay. There were at least 5 COLO scattered around
with their straight dark bills ear horizontal. This birds bill was stronger
than RTLO bills and had an upward slope on the lower mandible that gave it
a slightly upturned look. I’m sure that it wasn’t a Red-throated Loon.
I hope that someone else can confirm this And Harbor Point or Strawberry
point would be good places to look from.
Date: 1/27/25 7:28 pm From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Adult Bald Eagle & Clark's Grebe (photos from Novato, Marin Co. sightings)...& Nesting Anecdote Related To Oak Titmouse I'm Starting To Hear Sing
1/27/25
I was lucky to be watching and ready with my camera for an adult flyover BALD EAGLE (photos at link, below)
today at the wetland immediately east of the Costco/Vintage Oaks shopping center.
One CLARK'S GREBE with a bright yellow bill and white feathers surrounding its eye was close to shore,
thereby providing nice poses for my Canon R5 500 mm photos that are noted at my eBird checklist #:
Rowland Blvd. exit...head east through one stoplight if you're coming from the south...and two stoplights if you
exit from originating in Petaluma and north of it.
A park bench on Rowland Blvd. opposite the BevMo store (that is 1,000' north of Costco) offers unblocked viewing
at an island in the wetland. Parking is next to the bench.
Of course, you can view my birding location by visiting the ebird checklist # above.
Unrelated to our region, I beg your pardon for the following anecdote I researched today while reading about our
common, year-round resident the Oak Titmouse.
My interest was piqued because several excellent birders/professionals from the Mendocino area and elsewhere listserv discussed a NY Times article noting a study that postulated a leading reason as to why Myiarchus genus flycatchers (Tyrannidae family)
sometimes add a discarded snakeskin to their cavities....Hence, our typical, common NBB region's Ash-throated Flycatcher is in this genus among others (e.g., I commonly hear and see the Great Crested Flycatcher when I visit WI/Midwest/East....and
the genus contains 22 species.)
Like you, I was aware of this behavior by members of this genus....but, then, I subsequently read more about this
behavior at BirdsOfTheWorld.org that revealed citations from authors of the Blue Grosbeak, Oak Titmouse, and Tufted Titmouse accounts that cited studies with citations that indicate these three species ALSO sometimes add snakeskins to their nests.
Please feel free to review the Oak Titmouse account or read the typical composition materials that researchers have
documented in this species' cavity nests (that typically yield six to eight white eggs per brood), below at the *
(Spoiler alert to save you time reading, below: two out of 188 data slips
discovered the presence of snakeskins in this nests.)
Why this behavior? Drum roll:
The suggestion by the lead author of the study highlighted in the NY Times: snakeskins appear to impede and/or reduce
predation mortality of eggs/newborn, hatch-year (HY) individuals that flying squirrels and rat species predate upon.
{* = *Oak Timouse Nest:*
Structure And Composition Matter
Oak Titmouse nests are usually built of grass, moss, hair, and/or feathers. Examination of 188 egg data slips (WFVZ, MVZ) that contained information on nest composition showed the following use of materials for base: grass and/or weeds (123 nests, 65.4%); hair (66, 35.1%); moss (51, 27.1%); feathers (49, 26.1%); shredded bark (25, 13.3%); sheep wool and/or “cotton” (22, 11.7%); straw (12, 6.4%); twigs (8, 4.3%); plant down or fibers (5, 2.7%); rope or string (5, 2.7%); oak blossoms (2, 1.1%); snakeskin (2, 1.1%); sycamore seed balls (1, 0.5%); rootlets (1, 0.5%); leaves (1, 0.5%), and wood chips (1, 0.5%). The majority of nests were lined with hair (115, 61.2%) and/or feathers (84, 44.7%); other materials used for lining included sheep wool or “cotton” (15, 8.0%), plant down or fibers (4, 2.1%), rope or string (2, 1.1%), grass (1, 0.5%), and moss (1, 0.5%). Of hairs identified in nests, rabbit ( Sylvilagus or Lepus ) were most common; other hair identified as being from cow ( Bos taurus ), horse ( Equus caballus ), squirrel ( Sciurus or Spermophilus ), and skunk ( Mephitis or Spilogale ). Identified feathers include jay ( Cyanocitta or Aphelocoma ), hawk (probably Accipiter or Buteo ), turkey ( Meleagris ), and domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus ).}
Date: 1/25/25 11:40 am From: Christyne Davidian via groups.io <christyne57...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Joel's Post....Thought
I reported likely the same Eurasian Wigeon and also a Say's Phoebe behind
Target at Vintage Oaks last weekend so corroborates with Daniel and Joel.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S209667441
-Christyne Davidian
On Sat, Jan 25, 2025 at 8:25 AM Daniel Edelstein via groups.io
<danieledelstein...> wrote:
> Well done, Joel...Kudos...Perhaps your flycatcher family member was the
> Say's Phoebe, if you look at
> a drawing or photo of it....
>
> ....Note:
>
> As you may already know, in Marin Co., this species is a non-breeding
> season resident
> (though it was documented in one Novato block (i.e., area) in the old 1994
> Marin Co. Breeding Bird Atlas that Dave Shuford edited/coordinated....For
> the current four-year monitoring effort in the newly-created Marin Co.
> Breeding Bird Atlas II
> (per: https://marinaudubon.org/birds/marin-county-breeding-bird-atlas/),
> there's no "possible," "probable," or
> "confirmed" status of this species in monitored blocks.
>
>
>
Date: 1/25/25 8:25 am From: Daniel Edelstein via groups.io <danieledelstein...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Joel's Post....Thought
Well done, Joel...Kudos...Perhaps your flycatcher family member was the Say's Phoebe, if you look at
a drawing or photo of it....
....Note:
As you may already know, in Marin Co., this species is a non-breeding season resident
(though it was documented in one Novato block (i.e., area) in the old 1994 Marin Co. Breeding Bird Atlas that Dave Shuford edited/coordinated....For the current four-year monitoring effort in the newly-created Marin Co. Breeding Bird Atlas II
(per: https://marinaudubon.org/birds/marin-county-breeding-bird-atlas/ ), there's no "possible," "probable," or
"confirmed" status of this species in monitored blocks.
Date: 1/24/25 10:25 pm From: Joel Hedgpeth via groups.io <jhedg...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Eurasian Wigeon
Today a nice male Eurasian Wigeon was with a small group of American Wigeons on the small island behind Target in Novato (Where the White Wagtail used to hang out). When I arrived there (where the bench is), a medium size flycatcher was flycatching from the top of a Smart-train signal tower. With binoculars it appeared to have a pale yellow underbody, but by the time I got my scope set up it had flown off toward the Vintage Oaks parking lot. No camera with me. Will remain a question mark.
Date: 1/23/25 8:56 pm From: Robin Mitchell via groups.io <ECCommunityGarden...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Short-eared Owlpalooza , Sonoma County ,Jan, 23, 2025
Looks like there is also Hudeman Slough Wetland Enhancement Project. Is
that where you were birding?
Thx
On Thu, Jan 23, 2025, 8:54 PM Robin Mitchell <eccommunitygarden...>
wrote:
> I haven't been to Huderman Slough but looking at the map I see a boat ramp
> there. Is that where you were birding or is there somewhere else along the
> Slough?
>
> Thanks
>
> Robin
>
> On Thu, Jan 23, 2025, 8:13 PM corvus8x via groups.io <corvus8x=
> <yahoo.com...> wrote:
>
>> Great fun watching Short-ears Owls out at Hudeman Slough in south
>> /eastern Sonoma County today. These owls have been seen off and on through
>> January. I began seeing them rather early at 330 pm and watched the show
>> till the sun went down around 5 pm to the south/west . Though far off from
>> the main trail I counted at least nine ( there are possibly more) I viewed
>> them south of the ponds and also slightly better views on the levee trail
>> that begins by the hay barn. These owls were on the prowl and loved their
>> graceful flight on their hunts on the wing . Watched several suddenly
>> plunge into the marshy fields , head first , talons out ,wings folded ,to
>> grab most likely a rodent . It was reminiscent of the way foxes plunge dive
>> into snow to grab rodents. The rivalry between the Northern Harriers and
>> White-tailed Kites was entertaining as well! Good medicine for a rather
>> dark week . Scott Carey , Sebastopol, Ca
>>
>>
>
Date: 1/23/25 8:54 pm From: Robin Mitchell via groups.io <ECCommunityGarden...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Short-eared Owlpalooza , Sonoma County ,Jan, 23, 2025
I haven't been to Huderman Slough but looking at the map I see a boat ramp
there. Is that where you were birding or is there somewhere else along the
Slough?
Thanks
Robin
On Thu, Jan 23, 2025, 8:13 PM corvus8x via groups.io <corvus8x=
<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> Great fun watching Short-ears Owls out at Hudeman Slough in south
> /eastern Sonoma County today. These owls have been seen off and on through
> January. I began seeing them rather early at 330 pm and watched the show
> till the sun went down around 5 pm to the south/west . Though far off from
> the main trail I counted at least nine ( there are possibly more) I viewed
> them south of the ponds and also slightly better views on the levee trail
> that begins by the hay barn. These owls were on the prowl and loved their
> graceful flight on their hunts on the wing . Watched several suddenly
> plunge into the marshy fields , head first , talons out ,wings folded ,to
> grab most likely a rodent . It was reminiscent of the way foxes plunge dive
> into snow to grab rodents. The rivalry between the Northern Harriers and
> White-tailed Kites was entertaining as well! Good medicine for a rather
> dark week . Scott Carey , Sebastopol, Ca
>
>
Date: 1/23/25 8:13 pm From: corvus8x via groups.io <corvus8x...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Short-eared Owlpalooza , Sonoma County ,Jan, 23, 2025
Great fun watching Short-ears Owls out at Hudeman Slough in south /eastern Sonoma County today. These owls have been seen off and on through January. I began seeing them rather early at 330 pm and watched the show till the sun went down around 5 pm to the south/west . Though far off from the main trail I counted at least nine ( there are possibly more) I viewed them south of the ponds and also slightly better views on the levee trail that begins by the hay barn. These owls were on the prowl and loved their graceful flight on their hunts on the wing . Watched several suddenly plunge into the marshy fields , head first , talons out ,wings folded ,to grab most likely a rodent . It was reminiscent of the way foxes plunge dive into snow to grab rodents. The rivalry between the Northern Harriers and White-tailed Kites was entertaining as well! Good medicine for a rather dark week . Scott Carey , Sebastopol, Ca
Date: 1/23/25 2:19 pm From: David Barry via groups.io <wildbarrydb...> Subject: [northbaybirds] RIP Larry Broderick. Golden Eagle.
Hello NBB's,
Sadly New Years Eve Day Sonoma County and the greater Bay Area/Nor Cal lost an incredible Bird of Prey Ambassador.
"Raptor Magnet" Larry Broderick passed away unexpectedly.
Larry shared with any and all his unmitigated love for Birds of Prey. Countless people were turned onto the world of Raptors because of Larry's infectious enthusiasm.
Today 23 Jan 2025 at 12:53 there was a kettle of TURKEY VULTURES 12-15 with a couple of COMMON RAVENS mixed in on the East side of Hwy 101 on the Cotati Grade in Sonoma County.
The lowest bird in altitude was an adult GOLDEN EAGLE! Approximately 200 yards North there was a White-tailed Kite hovering.
Dave Barry
Santa Rosa
Date: 1/23/25 6:37 am From: larry nigro via groups.io <larrymtb...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Tufted Ducks and Help with another duck
[image: 6J0A1228.JPG]
Molly and I saw presumably the same bird today. (see photograph). Did not
see the other two from yesterday.
[image: 6J0A1506.JPG]
However, I also photographed the bird directly above. I don't know what it
is. It shows no white at the base of the bill and a little patch of white
on the cheek and on the side, but the rest of the body feathers
fit a scaup. Any help with the ID will be appreciated.
Thanks Larry!
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 8:33 PM Courtney Buechert via groups.io <courtney=
<eleveninc.com...> wrote:
> Around 3:00 today, we stopped by the Inverness Store to check out the
> Scaup flock actively feeding on the water. We looked for the adult male
> Tufted Duck that was reported but couldn’t find him in all the activity.
>
> We did, however, find a brown female/juv male type Tufted Duck with a
> thick, prominent tuft, light brown flanks and with a mottled brownish back
> that was darker than the flanks (more blended to the breast, neck, head,
> rump and undertail).
>
> We were also able to locate the previously reported male Tufted Duck x
> Scaup hybrid in the Scaup group.
>
> Courtney Buechert
> Sophie Buechert
> Pascale Bovie
> Corte Madera
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 1/22/25 8:33 pm From: Courtney Buechert via groups.io <courtney...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Tufted Ducks; In whole and in part
Around 3:00 today, we stopped by the Inverness Store to check out the Scaup flock actively feeding on the water. We looked for the adult male Tufted Duck that was reported but couldn’t find him in all the activity.
We did, however, find a brown female/juv male type Tufted Duck with a thick, prominent tuft, light brown flanks and with a mottled brownish back that was darker than the flanks (more blended to the breast, neck, head, rump and undertail).
We were also able to locate the previously reported male Tufted Duck x Scaup hybrid in the Scaup group.
Courtney Buechert
Sophie Buechert
Pascale Bovie
Corte Madera
Date: 1/22/25 8:14 pm From: Melissa Witte via groups.io <memawi...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] White Geese at Las Gallinas
I birded Las Gallinas recently and there was a small group (5 or so) of white geese commingling with the Aleutian Cackling Geese.
I put my scope on them and there were indeed two different species. It was actually really cool because you can see side-by-side the unique beak shape and markings of each plus the size difference between the two species.
Lots going on out there!
Enjoy the abundance.
Melissa Witte
Petaluma
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...> on behalf of Derek Lecy via groups.io <dlecy...>
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2025 11:25:00 AM
To: <northbaybirds...> <northbaybirds...>
Subject: [northbaybirds] White Geese at Las Gallinas
Dear Birders,
There have been 10 white geese (Snow/Ross's) at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Ponds for a number of weeks now. The small group of white geese is associating with an impressive number (some estimates are well over 1,000) of Cackling Geese, primarily in the fields to the north of the ponds and occasionally at the east terminus of the property, near the solar panel arrays.
A number of birders are submitting these birds as Snow Geese, probably owing to the fact that Snow tend to be the more frequent and abundant of the two species at this location. However, a closer look clearly shows there are a number of Ross's Geese in with the flock. A few keen observers have gone to study the white geese with scopes and have determined, to the best of their ability given the distance, that there are in fact four Ross's Geese (including some lighter/dusky juveniles), five Snow Geese (all well marked juveniles), and one intermediate individual that should probably be left as Snow/Ross's Goose if using eBird.
So, if you are heading out to enjoy the weather and birds at Las Gallinas, it would be great if you could please check your observations of these birds and only mark down the bird(s) to species that you are sure of, as there is absolutely no harm in submitting some or all of this group as Snow/Ross's. Thanks!
Date: 1/20/25 11:25 am From: Derek Lecy via groups.io <dlecy...> Subject: [northbaybirds] White Geese at Las Gallinas
Dear Birders,
There have been 10 white geese (Snow/Ross's) at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Ponds for a number of weeks now. The small group of white geese is associating with an impressive number (some estimates are well over 1,000) of Cackling Geese, primarily in the fields to the north of the ponds and occasionally at the east terminus of the property, near the solar panel arrays.
A number of birders are submitting these birds as Snow Geese, probably owing to the fact that Snow tend to be the more frequent and abundant of the two species at this location. However, a closer look clearly shows there are a number of Ross's Geese in with the flock. A few keen observers have gone to study the white geese with scopes and have determined, to the best of their ability given the distance, that there are in fact four Ross's Geese (including some lighter/dusky juveniles), five Snow Geese (all well marked juveniles), and one intermediate individual that should probably be left as Snow/Ross's Goose if using eBird.
So, if you are heading out to enjoy the weather and birds at Las Gallinas, it would be great if you could please check your observations of these birds and only mark down the bird(s) to species that you are sure of, as there is absolutely no harm in submitting some or all of this group as Snow/Ross's. Thanks!
On Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:04:48 -0800, "Sarah Brooks via groups.io" <birdergirl22...> wrote:
>I had a white morph varied thrush in my yard the winter of 2020. The only >field guide I could find that mentioned that color morph was National >Geographic, stating “In a very rare variant morph, all orange color is >replaced by white.” Very cool bird to see. I’ve looked for it every winter >since, but haven’t seen it again. > >Sarah Brooks >Sebastopol > >On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 7:27?PM Diana Humple via groups.io <dianahumple= ><gmail.com...> wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> A week and a half ago, Point Blue biologists Mike Mahoney and Mason Avelar >> captured what some online chatter from other regions calls a 'white-morph' >> Varied Thrush at the Palomarin Field Station in Point Reyes National >> Seashore. I don't think we've ever caught one at least in the decades I've >> been working here, and I'd never seen or heard of this plumage, so thought >> some of you might also be interested! >> >> A couple pics here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S209080686 >> >> Cheers, >> Diana >> Bolinas CA >> https://www.pointblue.org/about-us/contact-visit-us/ >> >> >> >> >> > > > > -- Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
Date: 1/16/25 6:05 pm From: Sarah Brooks via groups.io <birdergirl22...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] white-morph Varied Thrush captured at Palomarin
I had a white morph varied thrush in my yard the winter of 2020. The only
field guide I could find that mentioned that color morph was National
Geographic, stating “In a very rare variant morph, all orange color is
replaced by white.” Very cool bird to see. I’ve looked for it every winter
since, but haven’t seen it again.
Sarah Brooks
Sebastopol
On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM Diana Humple via groups.io <dianahumple=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> A week and a half ago, Point Blue biologists Mike Mahoney and Mason Avelar
> captured what some online chatter from other regions calls a 'white-morph'
> Varied Thrush at the Palomarin Field Station in Point Reyes National
> Seashore. I don't think we've ever caught one at least in the decades I've
> been working here, and I'd never seen or heard of this plumage, so thought
> some of you might also be interested!
>
> A couple pics here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S209080686 >
> Cheers,
> Diana
> Bolinas CA
> https://www.pointblue.org/about-us/contact-visit-us/ >
>
>
>
>
Date: 1/16/25 5:43 pm From: larry nigro via groups.io <larrymtb...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] white-morph Varied Thrush captured at Palomarin
Do know the owls in the Southwest are paler and look more like your photo
than what we usually see here.
Best Larry
On Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 8:43 AM NANCY AND EUGENE HUNN via groups.io
<enhunn323...> wrote:
> Diana et al.,
>
> I don't know about a "white-morph" Varied Thrush but recently took this
> photo of a very pale Great Horned Owl. Perhaps someone might know where it
> might be from.
>
> Gene Hunn
>
> On 01/15/2025 7:27 PM PST Diana Humple via groups.io <dianahumple=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> A week and a half ago, Point Blue biologists Mike Mahoney and Mason Avelar
> captured what some online chatter from other regions calls a 'white-morph'
> Varied Thrush at the Palomarin Field Station in Point Reyes National
> Seashore. I don't think we've ever caught one at least in the decades I've
> been working here, and I'd never seen or heard of this plumage, so thought
> some of you might also be interested!
>
> A couple pics here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S209080686 >
> Cheers,
> Diana
> Bolinas CA
> https://www.pointblue.org/about-us/contact-visit-us/ >
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 1/16/25 8:43 am From: NANCY AND EUGENE HUNN via groups.io <enhunn323...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] white-morph Varied Thrush captured at Palomarin
Diana et al.,
I don't know about a "white-morph" Varied Thrush but recently took this photo of a very pale Great Horned Owl. Perhaps someone might know where it might be from.
Gene Hunn
> On 01/15/2025 7:27 PM PST Diana Humple via groups.io <dianahumple...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> A week and a half ago, Point Blue biologists Mike Mahoney and Mason Avelar captured what some online chatter from other regions calls a 'white-morph' Varied Thrush at the Palomarin Field Station in Point Reyes National Seashore. I don't think we've ever caught one at least in the decades I've been working here, and I'd never seen or heard of this plumage, so thought some of you might also be interested!
>
> A couple pics here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S209080686 >
> Cheers,
> Diana
> Bolinas CA
> https://www.pointblue.org/about-us/contact-visit-us/ >
>
>
>
Date: 1/15/25 7:27 pm From: Diana Humple via groups.io <dianahumple...> Subject: [northbaybirds] white-morph Varied Thrush captured at Palomarin
Hi all,
A week and a half ago, Point Blue biologists Mike Mahoney and Mason Avelar captured what some online chatter from other regions calls a 'white-morph' Varied Thrush at the Palomarin Field Station in Point Reyes National Seashore. I don't think we've ever caught one at least in the decades I've been working here, and I'd never seen or heard of this plumage, so thought some of you might also be interested!
Date: 1/15/25 7:15 pm From: Diana Humple via groups.io <dianahumple...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Share your early-breeder Marin sightings with the Atlas!
Hi North Bay Birders (who bird or reside in Marin County),
I wanted to expand on an email I sent last month about Great Horned Owls,
now that additional 'early birds' have begun breeding! As we are entering
our final year of the second Marin County Breeding Bird Atlas
<https://marinaudubon.org/birds/marin-county-breeding-bird-atlas/> - the
redux of David Shuford’s first Atlas (1993) - we are filling in data gaps
for these species and would love your help.
We’d love it if those of you who have early breeding species detections, or
observations of breeding behaviors, from anywhere in Marin County, would
contribute your sightings to the second Atlas as an incidental observation
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBIOpYiSP23deSYyA5td-w2Ja7enfOoR0w6MeV_pfFvc8Bkg/viewform> (more details can be found on the Atlas webpage if you are not already
familiar with submitting incidental observations). For owls and a few other
species, we accept breeding codes “S” (‘singing’) and “H” (‘in appropriate
habitat’); for most species we only accept incidental observations that
more directly indicate they are breeding.
These early birds include:
-
Great Horned & American Barn Owls - including basic observations
(S=territorially calling or H=in habitat); duetting Great Horned Owls (D);
or any breeding behavior. Additionally, if anyone had Great Horned Owls
during your Christmas Bird Counts or otherwise from December, we’d love
those sightings! Many were very vocal last month when setting up shop (and
still are).
-
Anna’s (and in a couple weeks, if not sooner, Allen’s!) Hummingbirds -
including those you find displaying (D) or gathering material, building
nests, or you observe a female on the nest.
-
Certain raptors – including early-breeders like Golden Eagle &
Red-tailed Hawks you see displaying (D) or gathering material or nesting.
-
*Ridgway’s & Black Rails (*note caveats due to their conservation
status) - these are surveyed for by permitted biologists, not Atlas
volunteers. However, we accept observations from birders who incidentally,
passively, and responsibly detect them (e.g., without using any playback or
mimicry, and without going off trail in pursuit of them; extra care is
essential for these threatened & endangered species and their sensitive
habitat). As with owls, we accept encounters of territorial-calling
individuals (S) or birds in appropriate habitat (H). (Note, we’ll accept
detections of Virginia Rails and Soras later in the spring, once they begin
nesting; such observations of Virginia Rails may be really helpful to the
Atlas!).
Thank you!
Diana Humple (one of the Atlas Coordinators)
Bolinas, CA
On Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 7:16 AM Diana Humple <dianahumple...> wrote:
> Hi North Bay Birders (who bird or reside in Marin County),
>
> Many of you may now be hearing Great Horned Owls, who of course are among
> our earliest breeders, hooting and duetting as they set up shop. As we are
> approaching our final year of the second Marin County Breeding Bird Atlas
> <https://marinaudubon.org/birds/marin-county-breeding-bird-atlas/> - the
> redux of David Shuford’s first Atlas (1993) - we are filling in data gaps
> for this (and eventually other) species, and *now is an ideal time of
> year to document this vocal species. *
>
> We’d love your help! Please consider submitting your GHOW observations
> from anywhere in Marin County where you encounter them to the second Atlas
> as an incidental observation
> <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBIOpYiSP23deSYyA5td-w2Ja7enfOoR0w6MeV_pfFvc8Bkg/viewform> (information
> about how to use the one page incidental webform can be found on the right
> hand side of the Atlas webpage if you are not already familiar with it).
>
> You can submit any of the following breeding codes (choosing the highest
> in the hierarchy): duetting owls as a “D”, persistent territorial calling
> individuals (over 7+ days) as a T, territorial calling individual birds
> (i.e., those doing their hoot series) as an “S”, or an single owl observed
> or heard making short calls as an “H”. And feel free to contact me if you
> have any questions.
>
>
> Thank you, and happy birding,
>
> Diana Humple
>
> Bolinas
>