Date: 12/8/23 4:12 pm From: Sarah Otterstrom <sotterstrom...> Subject: [venturacobirding] Oxnard College
Hi there, I am waiting for someone in near Oxnard College so thought i stop by the native veg garden by the gym to see what birds appear. I found a dirt lot and every plant gone except for a grape arch. It is sad to see such a nice patch of habitat gone, especially amid an oasis of buildings and grass gone. If anyone has good news about it (i.e. they are planting more natives), please do share. Or, if anyone has Oxnard College contacts on landscaping topics, please also share please. Sarah
Date: 12/8/23 4:06 pm From: Mary E <marye.hansen...> Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] Ventura Christmas Bird Count
I will miss very much doing the CBC’s in SoCal. I am now in MD and looking for someone who will take me, untrained ears and all, to do a CBC here.Thanks for everything over the years, Frank! It’s been good.
Sincerely,
Mary E Hansen
> On Dec 8, 2023, at 4:56 PM, Frank DeMartino <frank...> wrote:
>
> Hey birders,
>
> The Ventura Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Saturday, December 30th. As always, I’m looking for volunteers to help spot, count, and tally all of the birds! If you’re feeling extra volunteer-y, I could also use a few sector leaders this year. Sector Leaders coordinate the volunteer parties in their areas, gather their reports, and send a summary of the data to me to compile into the final report. If you are interested in being a sector leader, please email me.
>
> If you want to participate in the count, you can email <venturabirdcount...> <mailto:<venturabirdcount...> and we’ll get you placed closer to the count date.
>
> If you want to learn more about the CBC and how you can help, I’ll be giving a hybrid presentation Tuesday night for Ventura Audubon Society. More info on that event can be found on the VAS website: https://www.venturaaudubon.org/speakers >
> Thanks,
> Frank DeMartino
>
>
The Ventura Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Saturday, December 30th.
As always, I'm looking for volunteers to help spot, count, and tally all of
the birds! If you're feeling extra volunteer-y, I could also use a few
sector leaders this year. Sector Leaders coordinate the volunteer parties in
their areas, gather their reports, and send a summary of the data to me to
compile into the final report. If you are interested in being a sector
leader, please email me.
If you want to participate in the count, you can email
<venturabirdcount...> <mailto:<venturabirdcount...> and we'll
get you placed closer to the count date.
If you want to learn more about the CBC and how you can help, I'll be giving
a hybrid presentation Tuesday night for Ventura Audubon Society. More info
on that event can be found on the VAS website:
https://www.venturaaudubon.org/speakers
Date: 12/3/23 5:04 pm From: Lynn Oldt via groups.io <lynnoldt1...> Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] Aleutian Song Sparrow, Marina Park
I saw this bird again today at 2:00 pm, in the same general location. I was able to get a good look with binoculars from about 12' away before it flew off. I returned about 15 minutes later with my camera, but was unable to relocate the bird. I submitted to eBird.
Date: 11/15/23 5:17 pm From: Brad Sillasen <bradstewartsillasen...> Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] Aleutian Song Sparrow, Marina Park
Thanks all for the input. If Lynn's sighting is the same bird that's great news. Meaning it is doable. I did go back to look between 3:15 and 4:00 when the tide was quite low and did not score, but there is a ton of rock piper habitat and rack inside the channel and basins in the intertidal, in case the birds enjoys that kind of thing. Very little rack on the beach side to forage in but It could be anywhere and tough to find.
Once again, does anyone have any comments on the status of the ssp. in SoCal?
Also, in respect to Wes's comment, good to keep that in mind. Do you know where that ssp. winters?
Date: 11/15/23 4:19 pm From: Lynn Oldt via groups.io <lynnoldt1...> Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] Aleutian Song Sparrow, Marina Park
I believe I saw this bird on October 16 at the same location while walking my dogs. I had my binoculars with me, but unfortunately I did not have my camera. I observed the bird foraging in the wrack line and perching on the rocks. I noted at the time that it was very dark for a song sparrow, but recorded it as such, as I am unfamiliar with the Aleutian.
Lynn OldtVentura
Date: 11/15/23 3:10 pm From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] Aleutian Song Sparrow, Marina Park
The habitat you described is where I have seen them on the Aleutians.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when
there is nothing left to take away.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
On Wed, Nov 15, 2023, 11:48 Brad Sillasen <bradstewartsillasen...>
wrote:
> This morning just before 10AM there was what is almost certainly an
> Aleutian Song Sparrow at Marina Park's Soter Point in the small beach area
> just below the mermaid statue. It appeared to be foraging among, and even
> within, the riprap just above the high tide line. It was seen only briefly
> before disappearing into the riprap immediately beyond the splashing tide.
> Strange habitat for song sparrows in general, but probably similar to that
> along the rugged coast of the Aleutian Islands where this subspecies
> normally dwells. The tide was exceptionally high this morning at 6ft+. The
> bird may well show better at a lower tide if it sticks. Or it may be long
> gone. I'll likely check again tomorrow AM.
>
> Noted was the very dark complexion of the bird overall as if it where
> dipped in black coffee. Streaking was heavy but low contrast on the dark
> ground color of the breast and flanks. Even the facial pattern was obscured
> by the overall dark tone.
>
> I've seen this significant subspecies one other time in the early 90's at
> the Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary. I'd appreciate any comments on the status
> of this race in SoCal. I don't recall ever being aware of any records.
>
> Of more general interest were the surreal cloud formations generated by
> the storm incoming. It was the most spectacular sky I've ever witnessed. If
> you missed it you might find pics in the local news, FB or such.
>
> Brad Sillasen
> Ventura, CA 93001
>
>
Date: 11/15/23 11:48 am From: Brad Sillasen <bradstewartsillasen...> Subject: [venturacobirding] Aleutian Song Sparrow, Marina Park
This morning just before 10AM there was what is almost certainly an Aleutian Song Sparrow at Marina Park's Soter Point in the small beach area just below the mermaid statue. It appeared to be foraging among, and even within, the riprap just above the high tide line. It was seen only briefly before disappearing into the riprap immediately beyond the splashing tide. Strange habitat for song sparrows in general, but probably similar to that along the rugged coast of the Aleutian Islands where this subspecies normally dwells. The tide was exceptionally high this morning at 6ft+. The bird may well show better at a lower tide if it sticks. Or it may be long gone. I'll likely check again tomorrow AM.
Noted was the very dark complexion of the bird overall as if it where dipped in black coffee. Streaking was heavy but low contrast on the dark ground color of the breast and flanks. Even the facial pattern was obscured by the overall dark tone.
I've seen this significant subspecies one other time in the early 90's at the Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary. I'd appreciate any comments on the status of this race in SoCal. I don't recall ever being aware of any records.
Of more general interest were the surreal cloud formations generated by the storm incoming. It was the most spectacular sky I've ever witnessed. If you missed it you might find pics in the local news, FB or such.
Date: 11/13/23 6:55 pm From: Henry A. <henmhurst...> Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] 2024 Ventura County New Year's Count
Count me in!
-Mason Henry
On Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 12:54 PM Sammy Cowell <samueldavidcowell...>
wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Lukas Le Grice (cc'd) and I are starting to plan for another county-wide
> New Year's count that will take place on Saturday, Janurary 6th, 2024, and
> we would love to see you participate!
>
> Last year we battled tough weather conditions, but with 40 participants
> spread across the county, we managed to count 215 bird species. This year,
> we are hoping to match, if not better that tally.
>
> This count is different from the CBC's in that:
>
> 1) it's covering the entire county, not just the CBC circle. This allows
> us to cover some areas in Fillmore, Piru, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Mount
> Piños, etc. that aren't covered in the CBC counts.
>
> 2) this isn't a nationally organized event, but rather just something for
> our own curiosity and desire to understand more about the species that
> over-winter in our county and to gather data on species numbers. While we
> don't have any direct plans for how this data can be used, we plan on
> keeping annual records for future use on local conservation planning,
> habitat management, etc!
>
> We will send out more details later, but for now, we just want to see who
> is interested! If you can let either myself (<samueldavidcowell...>)
> or Lukas (<lukaslegrice...>) know by the end of the month, that
> would be great!
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Sammy
>
>
>
Date: 11/13/23 6:04 pm From: William Langford via groups.io <wglangford...> Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] 2024 Ventura County New Year's Count
Sammy, Carol and I will participate in the count. Let's know where you want us to survey.
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
On Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 12:52 PM, Sammy Cowell<samueldavidcowell...> wrote: Hi all,
Lukas Le Grice (cc'd) and I are starting to plan for another county-wide New Year's count that will take place on Saturday, Janurary 6th, 2024, and we would love to see you participate!
Last year we battled tough weather conditions, but with 40 participants spread across the county, we managed to count 215 bird species. This year, we are hoping to match, if not better that tally.
This count is different from the CBC's in that:
1) it's covering the entire county, not just the CBC circle. This allows us to cover some areas in Fillmore, Piru, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Mount Piños, etc. that aren't covered in the CBC counts.
2) this isn't a nationally organized event, but rather just something for our own curiosity and desire to understand more about the species that over-winter in our county and to gather data on species numbers. While we don't have any direct plans for how this data can be used, we plan on keeping annual records for future use on local conservation planning, habitat management, etc!
We will send out more details later, but for now, we just want to see who is interested! If you can let either myself (<samueldavidcowell...>) or Lukas (<lukaslegrice...>) know by the end of the month, that would be great!
Date: 11/13/23 2:00 pm From: Kay Regester <kayregester...> Subject: Re: [venturacobirding] 2024 Ventura County New Year's Count
Count me in! Kay
*Kay Regester*
*Ventura, Ca*
On Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 12:54 PM Sammy Cowell <samueldavidcowell...>
wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Lukas Le Grice (cc'd) and I are starting to plan for another county-wide
> New Year's count that will take place on Saturday, Janurary 6th, 2024, and
> we would love to see you participate!
>
> Last year we battled tough weather conditions, but with 40 participants
> spread across the county, we managed to count 215 bird species. This year,
> we are hoping to match, if not better that tally.
>
> This count is different from the CBC's in that:
>
> 1) it's covering the entire county, not just the CBC circle. This allows
> us to cover some areas in Fillmore, Piru, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Mount
> Piños, etc. that aren't covered in the CBC counts.
>
> 2) this isn't a nationally organized event, but rather just something for
> our own curiosity and desire to understand more about the species that
> over-winter in our county and to gather data on species numbers. While we
> don't have any direct plans for how this data can be used, we plan on
> keeping annual records for future use on local conservation planning,
> habitat management, etc!
>
> We will send out more details later, but for now, we just want to see who
> is interested! If you can let either myself (<samueldavidcowell...>)
> or Lukas (<lukaslegrice...>) know by the end of the month, that
> would be great!
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Sammy
>
>
>
Date: 11/13/23 12:52 pm From: Sammy Cowell <samueldavidcowell...> Subject: [venturacobirding] 2024 Ventura County New Year's Count
Hi all,
Lukas Le Grice (cc'd) and I are starting to plan for another county-wide
New Year's count that will take place on Saturday, Janurary 6th, 2024, and
we would love to see you participate!
Last year we battled tough weather conditions, but with 40 participants
spread across the county, we managed to count 215 bird species. This year,
we are hoping to match, if not better that tally.
This count is different from the CBC's in that:
1) it's covering the entire county, not just the CBC circle. This allows us
to cover some areas in Fillmore, Piru, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Mount Piños,
etc. that aren't covered in the CBC counts.
2) this isn't a nationally organized event, but rather just something for
our own curiosity and desire to understand more about the species that
over-winter in our county and to gather data on species numbers. While we
don't have any direct plans for how this data can be used, we plan on
keeping annual records for future use on local conservation planning,
habitat management, etc!
We will send out more details later, but for now, we just want to see who
is interested! If you can let either myself (<samueldavidcowell...>)
or Lukas (<lukaslegrice...>) know by the end of the month, that would
be great!
