Date: 12/9/23 8:18 am From: Tony Kurz <tonyk_71220...> Subject: [NWCALBIRD] Arcata CBC update for Saturday 12/16/23
Hey everyone,
If anyone still wants to help hit me up feel free, but bare with me. I am working and have a lot on my plate right now. So I will try to get in contact with folks ASAP. We pretty much have the circle covered. I will be emailing folks their materials that are participating.
The count will be held on Saturday December 16th rain or shine. Let’s hope for sunshine even though there may be some showers in the forecast. So make sure to bring rain gear out there. I don’t have any flexibility to re-schedule this year unfortunately if it’s a nasty weather day. We’ll just have to do the best we can.
I would really like everyone to use eBird for the count. If anyone has any questions or they're not comfortable with eBird feel free to contact me. For the traditional birders out there, that still prefer to send me a paper checklist of the day, I have attached a checklist. That will work, but please SEND me your results so I can enter it into eBird. Also please keep track of mileage and time spent birding I’ll need that data at the end. So, this is how it works. Folks will be out birding in their designated areas and keep creating eBird lists for each area within your entire route. And now you can use the TRIPS feature to see a total list of all the species you observed throughout the day. It also will include a map showing all the areas you stopped to make a checklist. Then I'd like folks to share each list to " ArcataCBC ". That allows me to see all the birds people get throughout the day, and this would make it much easier for me to get everyone's list before the compilation.
This year the compilation will be done over ZOOM on Monday December 18th at 6PM. I think this is just easier for everyone given the time of year it being cold and flu season and still COVID always around. And for folks that plan to do the Del Norte count the next day. This should make it easier and allow people to finalize their checklist for Mondays compilation. The ZOOM meeting info will be shared to everyone’s email and I’ll send out another message here on NWCALBIRD just before the count.
Date: 11/26/23 11:55 am From: Gary Falxa <garyfalxa...> Subject: [NWCALBIRD] Centerville CBC scheduled for Sunday Dec. 31, 2023
Hi all,
The Centerville to King Salmon Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Sunday, December 31. The count area includes the entire lower Eel River valley from Fortuna west to the ocean (including Ferndale, Loleta, Cock Robin Island, etc.), and north to the southern end of Humboldt Bay north to around King Salmon and the bay's south spit, as well as the lower Elk River valley and points in between.
I will be compiling the count this year (and giving Sean McAllister a break). If you are a regular for this count it would be great to have you contributing again, and for everyone else, your participation is welcome, too! Please email or text me if you'd like to participate (if you want to talk, let me know via email or text, as I often don't have my phone with me).
In recent years, CBC's have been encouraging participants to record species and counts using eBird, and sharing your eBird lists to a single group eBird list for the entire count area. While not required (I used paper lists until recently), this greatly simplifies compilation and reporting. As we approach count time, I'll provide participants with more information on the count and eBird.
I am undecided about whether to have an in-person compilation gathering, which in many years has been held at a local restaurant, or at times (covid times) via Zoom. If you have a preference about which option to use, I welcome feedback (and about potential locations to gather, if you favor meeting in person).
Thanks! ...gary
Gary Falxa (Centerville compiler) <garyfalxa...> 707-267-6699 (cell)
Date: 11/26/23 9:58 am From: Elyse Kelly <ekelly...> Subject: [NWCALBIRD] Purple Gallinue
Purple Gallinule at Arcata Marsh for 3rd day. Also 2 Nelson's Sparrows. 4 Scaly-breasted Munia at Gary Lester's house. Vermillion Flycatcher at zdead Moise Marsh, Eureka. Purple Gallinule is a first for Humboldt county. Elyse _._,_._,_
View/Reply Online (#683) | Reply To Sender | Reply To Group | Mute This Topic | New Topic Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [<lists...>] _._,_._,_
Date: 11/25/23 11:27 am From: Tom Leskiw <tomleskiw...> Subject: [NWCALBIRD] thanks for being a part of a Humboldt milestone
Greetings,
Fri Nov 24th Yana Valachovic and Nicole King found a Purple Gallinule at the
Arcata Marsh. Shortly thereafter, I along with many others, scanned the
marsh edges, until Levi Ashe-who was actually leaving-spotted it.
Milestones are fun to celebrate! Pending acceptance by the California Bird
Records Committee, the gallinule represents a 7th State Record, a 1st for
Humboldt County and my 450th species for Humboldt County NIB (not counting
introduced birds). Birders know well that joining this select group is not
something I accomplished on my own, but for my non-birding friends, it bears
mentioning: It Takes a Birding Community. I hesitate to mention names only
because semi-brevity dictates that a number of deserving folks will be
omitted..
But here goes. Thank you for sharing your finds, expertise, and camaraderie
during our time afield: Gary and Lauren Lester, John Sterling, David Fix,
Rob Fowler, Gjon Hazard, John Hunter, Todd Easterla, Jude Power, Dick
Erickson, Ken Irwin, Rob Hewitt, Scott Terrill, Kristie Nelson, Sean
McAllister, Keith Slauson, Greg Gray, Tony Kurz, Daryl Coldren, Matt Wachs,
Lucas Brug, Ken Burton, Russ Namitz, Jeff Allen, Elias Elias, CJ Ralph, Jim
Tietz, Bud Widdowson, RJ Adams, Fred Broerman, Brooks Allen, Michael Morris,
Steve Rovell, Luke Cole, Ron LeValley, Chet Ogan, Jay Sooter, Pablo Herrera,
Kerry Ross, Gary Bloomfield, Rich Stallcup, Greg Chapman, Paul Springer,
Brad Elvert, Ann Constentino, Paul and Linda Rousch, Cindy Moyer. and my
patient wife, Sue, for her support. Last but certainly not least, Dr Stan
Harris, who showed us back in the day that the seemingly insurmountable #400
was possible.
Date: 11/24/23 9:30 pm From: Ken Burton <shrikethree...> Subject: [NWCALBIRD] Purple Gallinule in Humboldt
This morning, Nicole King and Yana Valachovic found a PUGA at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary (40.863389, -124.095252). It was subsequently seen and photographed by dozens.
Date: 11/24/23 11:46 am From: Michael H. Morris via groups.io <lilmorris2000...> Subject: [NWCALBIRD] Nothing Extraordinary But...
Out at the new wetlands area at the mouth of the Elk River I had five male and two female Hooded Mergansers. I've just never had that many in the scope at the same time and it was pretty cool. They were just downstream from the bridge over the river. Also another pair in the old Tallow Works ponds.Also had a beautiful Clay-colored Sparrow in with the White-crowns and Songs along the railroad tracks just south of the first bench and interpretive sign.Happy Thanksgiving,Michael H. Morris
Date: 11/22/23 1:33 am From: Chet Ogan <oganc...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] Barred Owl sign?
On second thought, they were likely preyed on by a mammal carnivore if they were mangled and on the ground. An owl is going to haul its prey into a tree and pull off pieces to swallow. Considering that SPOWs tear apart woodrats and flying squirrels instead of swallowing the whole animal, this does not seem to fit that pattern.
Chet
On Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 01:20:22 AM PST, Chet Ogan <oganc...> wrote:
From my experience with dissecting 5000 SPOW pellets and finding no amphibian parts, I would say yes, BADOs.
Chet
On Friday, November 17, 2023 at 06:50:13 PM PST, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
I saw five giant salamanders with their front ends mangled or missing on the Clintonia and James Irvine trails today. Is this likely the work of BADOs?
Date: 11/22/23 1:20 am From: Chet Ogan <oganc...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] Barred Owl sign?
From my experience with dissecting 5000 SPOW pellets and finding no amphibian parts, I would say yes, BADOs.
Chet
On Friday, November 17, 2023 at 06:50:13 PM PST, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
I saw five giant salamanders with their front ends mangled or missing on the Clintonia and James Irvine trails today. Is this likely the work of BADOs?
Date: 11/20/23 3:05 pm From: Ken Burton <shrikethree...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] name change proposals
I didn't expect to have to explain this, but one group member somehow got the idea that I played a part in the decision to change these names. I guess I'm flattered that anyone thinks I'm that influential, but I want to make it perfectly clear that I had absolutely nothing to do with it.
This is a controversial matter and I'd like to keep the politics out of this thread. It's happening whether we like it or not, and the reason I started this exercise was for the community to have some fun with it and maybe play a part in the outcome. That's all.
Date: 11/20/23 11:17 am From: Ken Burton <shrikethree...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] name change proposals
Also, ONE NAME PER SPECIES, PLEASE!!
On Mon, Nov 20, 2023 at 9:33 AM Tim Bray <tbray...> wrote:
> Following on from Gary Bloomfield's response. I like many of his but have
> also picked up some good suggestions elsewhere, and have a few of my own.
> Many of these have been desperately in need of better names for a long
> time. Anna's and Allen's H'birds for example - is there really anyone who
> likes those names?
> Ross's Goose - Lesser Snow-goose
>
> Barrow's Goldeneye - Iceland Goldeneye
>
> Clark's Grebe - White-faced Grebe
>
> Vaux's Swift - Western Swift
>
> Anna's Hummingbird - Now it gets difficult. Pacific H'bird, Garden H'bird,
> Ruby-crowned H'bird... I like Garden Calypte
>
> Allen's Hummingbird - CALIFORNIA COPPER please!
>
> Wilson's Snipe - American Snipe is the obvious but dull. Bog Snipe sounds
> better to me
>
> Wilson's Phalarope - White-rumped Phal
>
> Baird's Sandpiper -
>
> Cassin's Auklet - Krillbird, Krill Auklet, Plain Auklet, Eyebrow Auklet
>
> Scripps’s Murrelet - Chumash Murrelet (good one Gary)
>
> Sabine's Gull - SEA GULL (no chance), will settle for Pelagic Gull
>
> Bonaparte's Gull - Elegant Gull, Boreal Gull is good though
>
> Franklin's Gull - Prairie Gull
>
> Heermann's Gull - Parasitic Gull, Pelican Gull, Baja Gull
>
> Forster's Tern - Eared Tern, Marsh Tern
>
> Leach's Storm-Petrel
>
> Brandt's Cormorant - Blue-throated Cormorant (and while we're at it, let's
> rename Pelagic, since they never go offshore)
>
> Cooper's Hawk - this one is tough. Long-tailed Hawk?
>
> Lewis's Woodpecker - Flycatching Woodpecker, Pink-bellied Woodpecker
>
> Nuttall’s Woodpecker - Barred Woodpecker, California Woodpecker, Oak
> Woodpecker
>
> Hammond's Flycatcher - let's just give up and call them all Empids
>
> Say's Phoebe - CINNAMON PHOEBE
>
> Hutton's Vireo - Monotonous Vireo (another good one Gary!)
>
> Cassin's Vireo - Western Vireo, Spectacled Vireo
>
> Steller's Jay - Stellar Jay, Black-crested Jay
>
> Clark's Nutcracker - Pine Crow, Pied Nutcracker, Solitary Crow
>
> Bewick's Wren - Brush Wren, Buzzing Wren
>
> Townsend's Solitaire - Mountain Thrush, Mountain Solitaire
>
> Swainson's Thrush - Mosquito Thrush, Swamp Thrush
>
> Cassin's Finch - Mountain Rosefinch
>
> Harris's Sparrow - Canada Sparrow
>
> Lincoln's Sparrow - Shy Sparrow, Buff-breasted Sparrow, Gray-faced Sparrow
>
> Bullock's Oriole - Western Baltimore ;) White-winged Oriole
>
> Brewer's Blackbird - I LOVE Pygmy Grackle, or Western Gracklet!
>
> MacGillivray's Warbler - Arc-eyed Warbler
>
> Townsend's Warbler - CASCADIAN WARBLER (have been using that name for more
> than a year already)
>
> Wilson's Warbler - Black-capped Warbler
>
>
>
Date: 11/20/23 11:10 am From: Ken Burton <shrikethree...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] name change proposals
I neglected to put in my update that proposals should be sent ONLY TO ME,
not posted on the listserv. Thank you.
On Mon, Nov 20, 2023 at 9:33 AM Tim Bray <tbray...> wrote:
> Following on from Gary Bloomfield's response. I like many of his but have
> also picked up some good suggestions elsewhere, and have a few of my own.
> Many of these have been desperately in need of better names for a long
> time. Anna's and Allen's H'birds for example - is there really anyone who
> likes those names?
> Ross's Goose - Lesser Snow-goose
>
> Barrow's Goldeneye - Iceland Goldeneye
>
> Clark's Grebe - White-faced Grebe
>
> Vaux's Swift - Western Swift
>
> Anna's Hummingbird - Now it gets difficult. Pacific H'bird, Garden H'bird,
> Ruby-crowned H'bird... I like Garden Calypte
>
> Allen's Hummingbird - CALIFORNIA COPPER please!
>
> Wilson's Snipe - American Snipe is the obvious but dull. Bog Snipe sounds
> better to me
>
> Wilson's Phalarope - White-rumped Phal
>
> Baird's Sandpiper -
>
> Cassin's Auklet - Krillbird, Krill Auklet, Plain Auklet, Eyebrow Auklet
>
> Scripps’s Murrelet - Chumash Murrelet (good one Gary)
>
> Sabine's Gull - SEA GULL (no chance), will settle for Pelagic Gull
>
> Bonaparte's Gull - Elegant Gull, Boreal Gull is good though
>
> Franklin's Gull - Prairie Gull
>
> Heermann's Gull - Parasitic Gull, Pelican Gull, Baja Gull
>
> Forster's Tern - Eared Tern, Marsh Tern
>
> Leach's Storm-Petrel
>
> Brandt's Cormorant - Blue-throated Cormorant (and while we're at it, let's
> rename Pelagic, since they never go offshore)
>
> Cooper's Hawk - this one is tough. Long-tailed Hawk?
>
> Lewis's Woodpecker - Flycatching Woodpecker, Pink-bellied Woodpecker
>
> Nuttall’s Woodpecker - Barred Woodpecker, California Woodpecker, Oak
> Woodpecker
>
> Hammond's Flycatcher - let's just give up and call them all Empids
>
> Say's Phoebe - CINNAMON PHOEBE
>
> Hutton's Vireo - Monotonous Vireo (another good one Gary!)
>
> Cassin's Vireo - Western Vireo, Spectacled Vireo
>
> Steller's Jay - Stellar Jay, Black-crested Jay
>
> Clark's Nutcracker - Pine Crow, Pied Nutcracker, Solitary Crow
>
> Bewick's Wren - Brush Wren, Buzzing Wren
>
> Townsend's Solitaire - Mountain Thrush, Mountain Solitaire
>
> Swainson's Thrush - Mosquito Thrush, Swamp Thrush
>
> Cassin's Finch - Mountain Rosefinch
>
> Harris's Sparrow - Canada Sparrow
>
> Lincoln's Sparrow - Shy Sparrow, Buff-breasted Sparrow, Gray-faced Sparrow
>
> Bullock's Oriole - Western Baltimore ;) White-winged Oriole
>
> Brewer's Blackbird - I LOVE Pygmy Grackle, or Western Gracklet!
>
> MacGillivray's Warbler - Arc-eyed Warbler
>
> Townsend's Warbler - CASCADIAN WARBLER (have been using that name for more
> than a year already)
>
> Wilson's Warbler - Black-capped Warbler
>
>
>
Date: 11/20/23 9:33 am From: Tim Bray <tbray...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] name change proposals
Following on from Gary Bloomfield's response. I like many of his but
have also picked up some good suggestions elsewhere, and have a few of
my own.
Many of these have been desperately in need of better names for a long
time. Anna's and Allen's H'birds for example - is there really anyone
who likes those names?
Ross's Goose - Lesser Snow-goose
>
> Barrow's Goldeneye - Iceland Goldeneye
>
> Clark's Grebe - White-faced Grebe
>
> Vaux's Swift - Western Swift
>
> Anna's Hummingbird - Now it gets difficult. Pacific H'bird, Garden
> H'bird, Ruby-crowned H'bird... I like Garden Calypte
>
> Allen's Hummingbird - CALIFORNIA COPPER please!
>
> Wilson's Snipe - American Snipe is the obvious but dull. Bog Snipe
> sounds better to me
>
> Wilson's Phalarope - White-rumped Phal
>
> Baird's Sandpiper -
>
> Cassin's Auklet - Krillbird, Krill Auklet, Plain Auklet, Eyebrow Auklet
>
> Scripps’s Murrelet - Chumash Murrelet (good one Gary)
>
> Sabine's Gull - SEA GULL (no chance), will settle for Pelagic Gull
>
> Bonaparte's Gull - Elegant Gull, Boreal Gull is good though
>
> Franklin's Gull - Prairie Gull
>
> Heermann's Gull - Parasitic Gull, Pelican Gull, Baja Gull
>
> Forster's Tern - Eared Tern, Marsh Tern
>
> Leach's Storm-Petrel
>
> Brandt's Cormorant - Blue-throated Cormorant (and while we're at it,
> let's rename Pelagic, since they never go offshore)
>
> Cooper's Hawk - this one is tough. Long-tailed Hawk?
>
> Lewis's Woodpecker - Flycatching Woodpecker, Pink-bellied Woodpecker
>
> Nuttall’s Woodpecker - Barred Woodpecker, California Woodpecker, Oak
> Woodpecker
>
> Hammond's Flycatcher - let's just give up and call them all Empids
>
> Say's Phoebe - CINNAMON PHOEBE
>
> Hutton's Vireo - Monotonous Vireo (another good one Gary!)
>
> Cassin's Vireo - Western Vireo, Spectacled Vireo
>
> Steller's Jay - Stellar Jay, Black-crested Jay
>
> Clark's Nutcracker - Pine Crow, Pied Nutcracker, Solitary Crow
>
> Bewick's Wren - Brush Wren, Buzzing Wren
>
> Townsend's Solitaire - Mountain Thrush, Mountain Solitaire
>
> Swainson's Thrush - Mosquito Thrush, Swamp Thrush
>
> Cassin's Finch - Mountain Rosefinch
>
> Harris's Sparrow - Canada Sparrow
>
> Lincoln's Sparrow - Shy Sparrow, Buff-breasted Sparrow, Gray-faced Sparrow
>
> Bullock's Oriole - Western Baltimore ;) White-winged Oriole
>
> Brewer's Blackbird - I LOVE Pygmy Grackle, or Western Gracklet!
>
> MacGillivray's Warbler - Arc-eyed Warbler
>
> Townsend's Warbler - CASCADIAN WARBLER (have been using that name for
> more than a year already)
>
> Wilson's Warbler - Black-capped Warbler
>
> _._,_._,_
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
--
Cheers,
Tim
Mendocino Coast Audubon Society <http://mendocinocoastaudubon.org/> Ecology Hour <https://ecologyhour.wordpress.com/> Oak & Thorn <http://oakandthorn.wordpress.com> Facebook: Oak and Thorn <https://www.facebook.com/oakandthorn>
Something to keep in mind, is that about 30-40% of the time, STRIX owls will rip off the head and eat that first (Spotted, Barred & Great Gray) from my personal observation during field surveys. However, I agree that most of the time, they will gulp down the entire prey item, especially if it is on the small side. However, do not discount prey items given to clumsy juveniles, which will try to rip off bits and pieces, and sometimes drop the prey items from the roost.
Russ Namitz On Nov 18, 2023, at 8:27 AM, Stan Walens <stan.walens...> wrote:
I would agree with the first sentence in Ken’s post. Like so much of owl prey of this size, it should be swallowed whole. Plus there is no reason not to eat the tail section; it is prime foodstuff. And you’d have to imagine how they bit the hind-section off. Barred owl beaks are not the best meat slicers. My guess is more likely a mammalian predator, like fox or raccoon.
And I’d imagine it would be extremely unlikely that barred owls would see these salamanders as competition for prey, as they do not eat the same foods. These are not lions and hyenas, e.g.; and even if they were, that relationship can be seen as much commensal as much as it is competitive, since they each can feed off of each other’s kills.
Stan Walens, San Diego
On Nov 18, 2023, at 7:52 AM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
So, my next question is why don't they eat the whole salamander? It's almost as if they recognize giant salamanders as potential competitors for prey and kill them solely for that reason, but I have a hard time swallowing that (pun intended), especially since if the owls were that hard up for prey, they'd eat the whole thing.
On Sat, Nov 18, 2023 at 9:49 AM Gary Falxa <garyfalxa...> wrote:
> Interesting stuff. Here's one reason why the tail sections might not have
> been consumed, from the Pacific giant salamander account in Petranka's 1998
> book 'Salamanders of the United States and Canada': "The tail, which
> produces noxious secretions, may be lashed at an attacking predator"
>
> ...I also wouldn't rule out a mammalian predator
> cheers,
> ...gary
>
>>
>> On Sat, Nov 18, 2023 at 8:11 AM Catherine Buchanan <
>> <catherinebuchanan...> wrote:
>>
>>> Don't salamanders secrete an ooze from their skin when threatened?
>>>
>>> On Sat, Nov 18, 2023, 7:53 AM Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> So, my next question is why don't they eat the whole salamander? It's
>>>> almost as if they recognize giant salamanders as potential competitors for
>>>> prey and kill them solely for that reason, but I have a hard time
>>>> swallowing that (pun intended), especially since if the owls were that hard
>>>> up for prey, they'd eat the whole thing.
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 9:50 PM Russ Namitz <namitzr...>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I would bet money on it. There are a couple good studies on Barred
>>>>> Owl diet in the PNW and herptiles were second in percentage of predated
>>>>> prey after mammals.
>>>>>
>>>>> Russ Namitz
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> > On Nov 17, 2023, at 6:50 PM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I saw five giant salamanders with their front ends mangled or
>>>>> missing on the Clintonia and James Irvine trails today. Is this likely the
>>>>> work of BADOs?
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
Date: 11/18/23 9:49 am From: Gary Falxa <garyfalxa...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] Barred Owl sign?
Interesting stuff. Here's one reason why the tail sections might not have
been consumed, from the Pacific giant salamander account in Petranka's 1998
book 'Salamanders of the United States and Canada': "The tail, which
produces noxious secretions, may be lashed at an attacking predator"
...I also wouldn't rule out a mammalian predator
cheers,
...gary
>
> On Sat, Nov 18, 2023 at 8:11 AM Catherine Buchanan <
> <catherinebuchanan...> wrote:
>
>> Don't salamanders secrete an ooze from their skin when threatened?
>>
>> On Sat, Nov 18, 2023, 7:53 AM Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
>>
>>> So, my next question is why don't they eat the whole salamander? It's
>>> almost as if they recognize giant salamanders as potential competitors for
>>> prey and kill them solely for that reason, but I have a hard time
>>> swallowing that (pun intended), especially since if the owls were that hard
>>> up for prey, they'd eat the whole thing.
>>>
>>> On Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 9:50 PM Russ Namitz <namitzr...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I would bet money on it. There are a couple good studies on Barred Owl
>>>> diet in the PNW and herptiles were second in percentage of predated prey
>>>> after mammals.
>>>>
>>>> Russ Namitz
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> > On Nov 17, 2023, at 6:50 PM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> > I saw five giant salamanders with their front ends mangled or
>>>> missing on the Clintonia and James Irvine trails today. Is this likely the
>>>> work of BADOs?
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>
>
>
Date: 11/18/23 9:34 am From: Ralph Bucher <thebook...> Subject: Ralph Bucher RE: [NWCALBIRD] name change proposals
I propose that because this is a major “WOKE Dictate” that we also remove the Patriarchal aspect from the naming project.
All the birds should be renamed for FEMALE characteristics when a sexual dimorphic exists. Remember I’m a retired HDR repairman welder.
When I get dictated to it always raises my Ruby-Crown.
Sincerely
Ralph Bucher
From: <NWCALBIRD...> <NWCALBIRD...> On Behalf Of Kenneth Able
Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2023 8:37 AM
To: Alan Contreras <acontrer56...>
Cc: Ken Burton <shrikethree...>; <boby...>; <NWCALBIRD...>
Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] name change proposals
At the moment, the purge applies only to species names (and only English names; the scofflaws will be allowed to continue to exist in Latin and Greek). But this is not a real bright group and they might not have thought about subspecies. Let's not remind them.
Ken
On Sat, Nov 18, 2023 at 7:44 AM Alan Contreras <acontrer56...> <mailto:<acontrer56...> > wrote:
Does anyone know whether this new regime applies to subspecies with commonly-used names, e.g. Hepburn’s rosy-finch?
Here is a revised list. I've removed Buller's Shearwater, which apparently isn't getting a new name (yet); and added Scripps's Murrelet and Nuttall's Woodpecker, which are expected in northern Mendocino County. If you've already sent me your proposals, feel free to add these two species.
Date: 11/18/23 8:37 am From: Kenneth Able <kennethpable...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] name change proposals
At the moment, the purge applies only to species names (and only English
names; the scofflaws will be allowed to continue to exist in Latin and
Greek). But this is not a real bright group and they might not have
thought about subspecies. Let's not remind them.
Ken
On Sat, Nov 18, 2023 at 7:44 AM Alan Contreras <acontrer56...> wrote:
> Does anyone know whether this new regime applies to subspecies with
> commonly-used names, e.g. Hepburn’s rosy-finch?
>
> Alan Contreras
>
> <acontrer56...>
> www.alanlcontreras.com
>
> “The fine arts cannot impose, they have to appeal.” William Stafford, in
> The Achievement of Brother Antoninus
>
> On Nov 18, 2023, at 7:42 AM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
>
>
> For those of us who write and publish books, one or two a year would be
> the nightmare!
>
> On Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 9:03 PM Bob & Carol Yutzy, Shasta, Ca via
> groups.io <boby...> wrote:
>
>> What a nightmare if they change all those unless it is one or two a year!
>>
>> Crazy!
>>
>> Bob
>>
>> From
>> Bob & Carol Yutzy
>> Redding, Ca
>>
>> On Nov 17, 2023, at 5:17 PM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
>>
>> Here is a revised list. I've removed Buller's Shearwater, which
>> apparently isn't getting a new name (yet); and added Scripps's Murrelet and
>> Nuttall's Woodpecker, which are expected in northern Mendocino County. If
>> you've already sent me your proposals, feel free to add these two species.
>>
>> Ross's Goose
>>
>> Barrow's Goldeneye
>>
>> Clark's Grebe
>>
>> Vaux's Swift
>>
>> Anna's Hummingbird
>>
>> Allen's Hummingbird
>>
>> Wilson's Snipe
>>
>> Wilson's Phalarope
>>
>> Baird's Sandpiper
>>
>> Cassin's Auklet
>>
>> Scripps’s Murrelet
>>
>> Sabine's Gull
>>
>> Bonaparte's Gull
>>
>> Franklin's Gull
>>
>> Heermann's Gull
>>
>> Forster's Tern
>>
>> Leach's Storm-Petrel
>>
>> Brandt's Cormorant
>>
>> Cooper's Hawk
>>
>> Lewis's Woodpecker
>>
>> Nuttall’s Woodpecker
>>
>> Hammond's Flycatcher
>>
>> Say's Phoebe
>>
>> Hutton's Vireo
>>
>> Cassin's Vireo
>>
>> Steller's Jay
>>
>> Clark's Nutcracker
>>
>> Bewick's Wren
>>
>> Townsend's Solitaire
>>
>> Swainson's Thrush
>>
>> Cassin's Finch
>>
>> Harris's Sparrow
>>
>> Lincoln's Sparrow
>>
>> Bullock's Oriole
>>
>> Brewer's Blackbird
>>
>> MacGillivray's Warbler
>>
>> Townsend's Warbler
>>
>> Wilson's Warbler
>>
>>
>> --
>> Bob & Carol Yutzy
>> Shasta, Ca
>>
>>
>
>
Date: 11/18/23 8:34 am From: Ken Burton <shrikethree...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] Barred Owl sign?
In fact, giant salamanders eat other herptiles and small rodents, so there
is considerable potential dietary overlap. However, the geographic overlap
is quite new.
On Sat, Nov 18, 2023 at 8:27 AM Stan Walens <stan.walens...> wrote:
> I would agree with the first sentence in Ken’s post.
> Like so much of owl prey of this size, it should be swallowed whole.
> Plus there is no reason not to eat the tail section; it is prime foodstuff.
> And you’d have to imagine how they bit the hind-section off. Barred owl
> beaks are not the best meat slicers.
> My guess is more likely a mammalian predator, like fox or raccoon.
>
> And I’d imagine it would be extremely unlikely that barred owls would see
> these salamanders as competition for prey, as they do not eat the same
> foods.
> These are not lions and hyenas, e.g.; and even if they were, that
> relationship can be seen as much commensal as much as it is competitive,
> since they each can feed off of each other’s kills.
>
> Stan Walens, San Diego
>
> On Nov 18, 2023, at 7:52 AM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
>
> So, my next question is why don't they eat the whole salamander? It's
> almost as if they recognize giant salamanders as potential competitors for
> prey and kill them solely for that reason, but I have a hard time
> swallowing that (pun intended), especially since if the owls were that hard
> up for prey, they'd eat the whole thing.
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/18/23 8:27 am From: Stan Walens <stan.walens...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] Barred Owl sign?
> I would agree with the first sentence in Ken’s post.
> Like so much of owl prey of this size, it should be swallowed whole.
> Plus there is no reason not to eat the tail section; it is prime foodstuff.
> And you’d have to imagine how they bit the hind-section off. Barred owl beaks are not the best meat slicers.
> My guess is more likely a mammalian predator, like fox or raccoon.
>
> And I’d imagine it would be extremely unlikely that barred owls would see these salamanders as competition for prey, as they do not eat the same foods.
> These are not lions and hyenas, e.g.; and even if they were, that relationship can be seen as much commensal as much as it is competitive, since they each can feed off of each other’s kills.
>
> Stan Walens, San Diego
>
>> On Nov 18, 2023, at 7:52 AM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
>>
>> So, my next question is why don't they eat the whole salamander? It's almost as if they recognize giant salamanders as potential competitors for prey and kill them solely for that reason, but I have a hard time swallowing that (pun intended), especially since if the owls were that hard up for prey, they'd eat the whole thing.
>>
Date: 11/18/23 8:19 am From: Ken Burton <shrikethree...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] Barred Owl sign?
Some do but not most. This family's primary defense mechanism is biting
back.
On Sat, Nov 18, 2023 at 8:11 AM Catherine Buchanan <
<catherinebuchanan...> wrote:
> Don't salamanders secrete an ooze from their skin when threatened?
>
> On Sat, Nov 18, 2023, 7:53 AM Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
>
>> So, my next question is why don't they eat the whole salamander? It's
>> almost as if they recognize giant salamanders as potential competitors for
>> prey and kill them solely for that reason, but I have a hard time
>> swallowing that (pun intended), especially since if the owls were that hard
>> up for prey, they'd eat the whole thing.
>>
>> On Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 9:50 PM Russ Namitz <namitzr...> wrote:
>>
>>> I would bet money on it. There are a couple good studies on Barred Owl
>>> diet in the PNW and herptiles were second in percentage of predated prey
>>> after mammals.
>>>
>>> Russ Namitz
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> > On Nov 17, 2023, at 6:50 PM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > I saw five giant salamanders with their front ends mangled or missing
>>> on the Clintonia and James Irvine trails today. Is this likely the work of
>>> BADOs?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>
>>
>>
Date: 11/18/23 7:53 am From: Ken Burton <shrikethree...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] Barred Owl sign?
So, my next question is why don't they eat the whole salamander? It's
almost as if they recognize giant salamanders as potential competitors for
prey and kill them solely for that reason, but I have a hard time
swallowing that (pun intended), especially since if the owls were that hard
up for prey, they'd eat the whole thing.
On Fri, Nov 17, 2023 at 9:50 PM Russ Namitz <namitzr...> wrote:
> I would bet money on it. There are a couple good studies on Barred Owl
> diet in the PNW and herptiles were second in percentage of predated prey
> after mammals.
>
> Russ Namitz
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Nov 17, 2023, at 6:50 PM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote:
> >
> > I saw five giant salamanders with their front ends mangled or missing
> on the Clintonia and James Irvine trails today. Is this likely the work of
> BADOs?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
I would bet money on it. There are a couple good studies on Barred Owl diet in the PNW and herptiles were second in percentage of predated prey after mammals.
Russ Namitz > On Nov 17, 2023, at 6:50 PM, Ken Burton <shrikethree...> wrote: > > I saw five giant salamanders with their front ends mangled or missing on the Clintonia and James Irvine trails today. Is this likely the work of BADOs? > > > > >
I saw five giant salamanders with their front ends mangled or missing on the Clintonia and James Irvine trails today. Is this likely the work of BADOs?
Date: 11/17/23 5:16 pm From: Ken Burton <shrikethree...> Subject: Re: [NWCALBIRD] name change proposals
Here is a revised list. I've removed Buller's Shearwater, which apparently isn't getting a new name (yet); and added Scripps's Murrelet and Nuttall's Woodpecker, which are expected in northern Mendocino County. If you've already sent me your proposals, feel free to add these two species.
Date: 11/16/23 11:07 am From: Tony Kurz <tonyk_71220...> Subject: [NWCALBIRD] Arcata CBC scheduled for Saturday Dec.16th 2023
Happy fall everyone!
The Arcata Christmas Bird Count will be scheduled on Saturday, December 16th. The count covers the heart of Humboldt County: south Eureka, Humboldt Bay, Mad River bottoms (vast pastureland), and north up to McKinleyville.
There is a good mix of species, with the count usual averaging 166 species. I encourage all seasoned regulars to participate again and anyone else that may like to help. Please email or call me for those interested in helping. In the past couple years, we have gone over to digitally recording species using eBird as a group. I’d like to continue this method. It’s a great way to learn eBird and useful way to collect and arrange data.
As we get closer to the count, I will update everyone participating on the eBird sign in protocol.
Thank you, and good birding.
Tony Kurz
Arcata CBC compiler
tonyk_71220@...
559-333-0893 ( tel:559-333-0893 )
Date: 11/14/23 3:12 pm From: Tom Leskiw <tomleskiw...> Subject: [NWCALBIRD] Pine Siskins and musings
It's nice to see a bountiful year for Pine Siskins. There was a typical
Green morph in with about 220 Pine Siskins at Cooper Gulch, Eureka yesterday
11/13/23. No photos, but the bird had a pale yellow area on the side of neck
with VERY faint (nearly absent) streaking on breast and underparts. More
extensive yellow in the wing and coverts.
I mention this because, while standing within the skate park, much of the
flock was at or below eye level, permitting prolonged close observation
without the resulting warbler neck. Many more birds were partially in sight,
bathing in the creek. Assuming the flock sticks around, it would be good to
keep tabs on it. Maybe lightning will strike thrice and a Common Redpoll
will make an appearance as it did in Eureka Dec 2004 (belated photos
appeared long after those chasing the bird reported that the directions left
on the Bird Box by a person unknown to the birding community made no sense)
or the specimen that was collected in Manila on 5/22/69.