Hi,

Audubon California Important Bird Area Program staff is gathering
Bendire's Thrasher observation records in California to help with the
Global IBA review process. They are reviewing the pre-existing 145
California IBAs to see which qualify as Global IBAs. Bendire's
Thrasher, at a threshold of 30 individuals or 10 breeding pairs, is a
species that triggers Global IBA status.

Although the existing literature on Bendire's Thrasher provides a
welcome base, observation records are requested from all of you who
have observed this species in California in order to develop the most
complete status and distribution information possible.

All observation records would be helpful no matter how old.
Observation records from the years 2000-2009+ would be especially helpful.

Records from all observation locations would be helpful. Observations
made in the following habitats/locations would be especially helpful.
     * Mojave National Reserve/Cima Dome
     * Colorado Desert microphyll woodlands
     * East Mojave springs
     * Kern County's Butterbredt Canyon & Eastern Sierra - Kelso Creek
watershed - Kelso Valley complex
     * Mojave River corridor
Any information is welcome. Of course, the more complete the better.
     * date
     * location (as specific as possible ... even if no date)
     * nesting evidence
     * habitat (as complete as possible)
I have volunteered to assist by compiling your Bendire's Thrasher
information submissions and passing it on to Audubon California IBA
Program staff. Please email reply with your observations to:
bbarnes@... (Bob Barnes)

Submissions received ASAP (in the next one to two weeks) will best
fit in with Audubon's Bendire's Thrasher IBA work time line.

Thank you in advance for assisting Audubon in their efforts to best
insure the long-term survival of Bendire's Thrasher in California and
throughout this species' range.

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob Barnes

P.S.: Please forward this request to any individual or listserv you
believe might only receive it via your forward. Thank you. BB.

Bob Barnes
1009 Las Cruces Ave., Ridgecrest, Kern Co., CA 93555
E: bbarnes@...
P: 760-382-1260


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On December 28,  2009, shrouded in a dull palor of white and gray, 60 hardy
birders ventured out for the Monterey Peninsula's annual Christmas Bird Count.
Our final total for the Count appears to have settled in at 178 species; rather
close to par for the course. Our count circle stretches from the sage flats of
the old Fort Ord in the North to the fragrant canyon of Soberanes in the South,
and from the offshore waters of the bay east to the oak lands of Corral de
Tierra and the Santa Lucias.

Highlight passerine included Tropical Kingbird, Baltimore Oriole and Tennessee
Warbler all in outer Pacific Grove. Among our few, rare anseriforms were Ross's
and Cackling Geese along with a handsome Redhead at the Carmel River Lagoon, and
a male Harlequin Duck we thought might not be present this year, but who
appeared undaunted and flawless in Monterey Harbor, nonetheless.  White-winged
Scoter were also observed, as were several female Hooded Merganser inland, above
the Carmel River Valley. Perhaps our most unseasonable species was a Western
Tanager calling deep in Del Monte Forest.

On the seas a crowded boat recorded unprecedented numbers of Black-vented
Shearwaters, and scattered amongst them was at least one Manx Shearwater. The
best bird, by vote, was a covey of Mountain Quail on the heights at Palo Corona;
a splendid first for our now centuries old circle.  Among our somewhat more
expected but nevertheless notable birds, the Owls were swept at Robinson Canyon,
where even the rarest resident species, Long-eared Owl, in addition to our
imperilled Spotted Owl, made their customary appearances.

This year's count recorded all time highs for the following species:
Black-footed Albatross, Black-vented Shearwater, Red-shouldered Hawk,
Black-bellied Plover and, inevitably, Eurasian Collared-Dove (102 up from app.
60 the previous year).

There were many notable misses including several ducks, Wandering Tattler, plus
Rock & Canyon Wren, among others. But we did manage some of our more obscure
specialty or otherwise important species including Surfbird, Tricolored
Blackbird, Horned Lark, Hermit Warbler and Sage along with Rufous-crowned
Sparrow.

Happy new year &



Best,
Blake T. Matheson
President, Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society
Legal Advisor, The Xerces Society
"Men still live who, in their youth, remember Passenger Pigeons. Trees still
live who, in their youth, were shaken by a living wind. But a decade hence only
the oldest oaks will remember, and at long last only the hills will know."
Leopold (1949).


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I searched this morning (1/5/10) for the first year male King Eider at the
previously reported spot by the fishing pier at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
without any success and was ready to leave when a couple drove up and said they
had just seen it at a new location.  Thanks to them I was able to find it.

It could be seen with a scope from the opposite end of Cabrillo Beach from the
fishing pier (north end) by the boat launching area. It was by the small pier at
the Cabrillo Beach Youth Waterfront Sports Center which is on Shoshonean Road. 
This is the road that you exit on from the north beach parking lot exit.  The
youth sports center is private property.  The eider could also be seen from the
north side of the property from the parking lot of the California Yacht Marina
Cabrillo Plaza.  It was quite close to shore with two Surf Scoters.

Gary Grantham
San Diego

Birders,

It has been brought to my attention that as of today caution tape and a
"no trespassing" sign is now positioned at the end of the broccoli field
across the path that would lead you to the ponds to search for the Santa
Maria White Wagtail. It is obvious the plant supervisors patience is
exhausted at this point, or the field owner is involved. It is highly
recommended that people do not bypass, go under or around the sign.
Perhaps a next step, should anyone want to try, is to arrange an
organized visit with permission by someone in authority. This may not
even be an option.

--
Jamie M. Chavez
Santa Maria, CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Joseph Morlan wrote:
> On Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:38:51 -0000, "themrbubby00mjf"
> <jonathan.james@...>  wrote:
>
>
>> Just for the information of birders who may be interested in chasing the King
Eider - wildlife rescuers were out this afternoon (Jan 3) pursuing it with long
handled nets.  They were unsuccessful while we were there, and when we left it
was sitting and preening itself inside on sand along the jetty inside the
fishing pier while the nets had disappeared for the time being.
>>
>> It's preening an awful lot, and spent most of the time we were there trying
to sit on the shore as it played cat and mouse with the nets.  They suspect that
it's oiled.  It did spend a very large amount of time preening.
>>
> A photo taken today 3 January and contributed by Chet McGaugh has been
> posted on the WFO web site at:
>
> http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/
>
> It does seem to show some compromised scapular and body feathers.
>
> This is a bird of statewide interest.  Please post additional sightings on
> Calbirds as well as the LA County list.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
I have posted photos of the San Pedro King Eider taken on 30 December 1t
1230, at which
time a light rain was falling.  The photos show beads of water on the
duck's back.
I do not know how much of this beading is the normal "water off a duck's
back" or
is indicative of contamination by oil not generated by the duck itself.
The web site is
http://ldorman.home.mindspring.com/EiderLoon.html
LeRoy Dorman
San Diego

I birded Lake Casitas for the Ventura CBC and today was told today by Jean, who
is a birder visiting from Oregon, that she photographed a Black Vulture on the
wires along Santa Ana Road across from Lake Casitas as you walk to the
Restaurant.  I'm back to work so let me know if anyone else sees it.  There is
also a White-throated Sparrow in the B section of the campgrounds.

Michelle Townsley
Ventura, CA

Hi All,

I inquired with Geoff LaBaron, the CBC Director with Audubon and his
response is below.

Regards,

John C. Wilson

Co-Editor California CBC's

Bakersfield, CA

____________________________________________________________________________

Hi John,



Happy New Year to you-I hope your Holiday season (and CBC season.) went
well.



I guess I have two thoughts here, which are fair game to pass on.  First, we
know that the CBC Current Year and Historical Results tools need re-working,
and we actually have a large grant proposal out which, if we are successful,
will allow us to make lots of improvements.  One way or the other, I'm very
aware that in the Current Year report we need a complete listing of all
aspects and data from the given circle, including the center point
descriptions.  Even if we don't get the grant, that's one of the top
priority improvements we need to make.



Along that line, if we get the grant it would be great to have a library of
info, always available to the public, regarding all active counts, their
center points, general contact info, and (ideally) a map of the circle.
That, however, is a considerably larger task for web output.  Embedded in
that task is the necessity to complete the job of updating center point
lat/longs (which in general are only approximated from the full minute, as
they were reported in print).  Nowadays with Google Earth and hand-held GPS
units we're able to get more and more truly accurate center point lat/longs,
but it's a huge task to get them all done.  Ideally it should be well along
before we open something like that up to the public.  I'd hope we can
develop a beta version to open to compilers and regional editors and get a
good chunk done that way.



One of the most important things I've wished we had for a long time was any
sort of mapping capability for the CBC program.  Again, if we get the grant
mapping will be included in the final result.



I hope we'll hear by mid-year this year whether we have the grant, and that
will let us know how best to plan for the future upgrades.



Let me know if you have any other questions about this or other things CBC,
and good birding in 2010.



Cheers,

Geoff



Geoff LeBaron

Christmas Bird Count Director

Audubon Science

413 268-9372

glebaron@...

   _____





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Bar-tailed Godwit at Newport Backbay continued yesterday afternoon at the
Jamboree bridge.  The bird was actively feeding under and just north of the the
bridge between 1:30 and 2:15 pm on January 3rd.  It was also seen earlier in the
day by other birders.

Keith Condon
Diamond Bar

I managed to put the Putah Creek CBC circle and areas on Google Earth.  The kmz
file can be accessed at
http://www.yoloaudubon.org/article/98/christmas-bird-count

I learned how to do this from the Boulder, Colorado CBC site at
http://brdpics.blogspot.com/2006/11/taking-plunge.html




Steve Hampton
________________
Resource Economist
Office of Spill Prevention and Response
California Dept of Fish and Game
PO Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
-----------------------------------
(916) 323-4724 phone
(916) 324-8829 fax

>>> <SiriusGuy@...> 1/2/2010 8:47 AM >>>
I find it interesting this time of year to read about the various and
varying Christmas Bird Count results from across the state.  The one detail
often omitted however, would be some general description of WHERE the circle is
  located.  Posting the coordinates of the circle center would help, along
with a brief description, including any particular terrain of interest. For
someone who might have the chance to travel to an area over the holiday
weekends, that would be very helpful. I do know that there are some listings,
such as the one accessed by this link:

_http://www.stanislausbirds.org/Events/california_cbc_circles.htm_
(http://www.stanislausbirds.org/Events/california_cbc_circles.htm)

but so far this offers just some approximations, as it does not appear that
  the map contains links to more detailed maps of the circles.

Alan Birnbaum
Fresno CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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On Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:38:51 -0000, "themrbubby00mjf"
<jonathan.james@...> wrote:

>Just for the information of birders who may be interested in chasing the King
Eider - wildlife rescuers were out this afternoon (Jan 3) pursuing it with long
handled nets.  They were unsuccessful while we were there, and when we left it
was sitting and preening itself inside on sand along the jetty inside the
fishing pier while the nets had disappeared for the time being.
>
>It's preening an awful lot, and spent most of the time we were there trying to
sit on the shore as it played cat and mouse with the nets.  They suspect that
it's oiled.  It did spend a very large amount of time preening.

A photo taken today 3 January and contributed by Chet McGaugh has been
posted on the WFO web site at:

http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/

It does seem to show some compromised scapular and body feathers.

This is a bird of statewide interest.  Please post additional sightings on
Calbirds as well as the LA County list.

Thanks.

--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA        jmorlan (at) ccsf.edu
SF Birding Classes start Feb.9     http://fog.ccsf.edu/jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee  http://www.californiabirds.org/
Western Field Ornithologists       http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/

Please note that the total has been revised upward to 216 with the addition
of an adult male Rufous Hummingbird.
     Joan Lentz, Compiler
     Santa Barbara CBC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joan Lentz" <joanlentz@...>
To: "sbcobirding" <sbcobirding@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 10:25 AM
Subject: Highlights of Santa Barbara CBC, Jan. 2, 2010


> Hi All:
>    Another fantastic Count for our Santa Barbara area, with a newly
> revised total of 215!
>    Once again, an opportunity here to thank the birders in this community
> for their tremendous support, enthusiasm, and extremely hard work on
> behalf of this Count!  It couldn't happen without ALL OF YOU.  As I look
> around and learn of other CBCs in other areas of California and of the
> U.S., I am finding out just how unusual our high participation level is,
> and that's why we have great results on our Counts.  Of course, a lovely
> day & some remaining (although dwindling) good habitat for birds has a lot
> to do with it!
>    Excuse the non-taxonomic order, please:
>
>    Stand-outs:
>    Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Fairview Gardens, respect the pathways
> please)
>    Broad-billed Hummingbird (Jeff Hanson & Peggy Kearns backyard feeder)
>    Grace's Warbler (returning to Bella Vista Open Space for 2nd winter)
>    Red Knot (2nd CBC record only, on beach bet/ C.O.P. and Goleta Beach)
>    Eastern Phoebe (corner Whittier Dr./Storke Rd.)
>
>    Goodies:
>    Common Poorwill (Honda Valley Open Space, the mesa)
>    The "oriole show":
>        3 Orchards
>        2 Baltimores
>        2 Hoodeds
>        10+ Bullock's
>        1 Scott's
>    Tropical Kingbird (2)
>    Northern Saw-whet Owl (3)
>    Spotted Owl - (1)
>    Lewis's Woodpecker (2)
>    Northern Rough-winged Swallow
>    Long-tailed Duck
>    Red-necked Grebe
>    Plumbeous Vireo (returning for 2nd yr. at Muni Golf Course)
>    "Gray-headed" Junco (rare subspecies)
>    Mountain Bluebird (6)
>
>    Honorable mention:
>    Cackling Geese numbers (~20)
>    Common Merganser numbers (80+)
>    Swamp Sparrow
>    Black-and-white Warbler
>    Summer Tanager (2)
>    Wilson's Warbler (~10)
>
>    Low numbers to worry about:
>    Green Heron'
>    Bonaparte's Gull
>    Western Sandpiper
>    Dunlin
>    Loggerhead Shrike
>
> THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR A GREAT COUNT AND A SUPER TIME!
>
>    P.S.  I'd be interested to hear your corrections/additions?
>
>    Joan Lentz
>    Santa Barbara
>
>

I just received a call from Howard King......he wanted me to post this. Bob
Miller just found a Harris' Hawk. It flew up & landed on a telephone pole in the
Rite-Aid parking lot at Rio Vista & HWY 86. He lost it as it flew away in an
unknown direction. They re-found it at Russell & "J" an hour later.

Lori Conrad
Hermosa Beach, Ca

The date of this sighting, of course, was 2 January, not 3 January.
 
Dave Compton
Santa Barbara

--- On Sat, 1/2/10, Dave Compton <davcompton@...> wrote:


From: Dave Compton <davcompton@...>
Subject: [CALBIRDS] continuing White Wagtail
To: "SB County Birding" <sbcobirding@yahoogroups.com>, "CALBIRDS"
<CALBIRDS@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 10:25 PM


Tom Wurster reports that "Black-backed" Wagtail continued at the Laguna
Sanitation District plant nr Santa Maria and Orcutt, today, 3 January.
 
Dave Compton
Santa Barbara

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tom Wurster reports that "Black-backed" Wagtail continued at the Laguna
Sanitation District plant nr Santa Maria and Orcutt, today, 3 January.
 
Dave Compton
Santa Barbara

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Still present this morning and ridiculously confiding.  I
inadvertently parked almost directly under the ocotillo in which the
bird was sitting.  While I was getting my camera out, my wife said
"What's that?".  It calmly sat there for photos and then we left.  We
turned around, drove back to the main road (directly under the bird)
and the bird didn't move.  I felt obligated to get my binoculars from
the car though they weren't needed.

Mark
---
Mark Eaton
mark@...




On Dec 30, 2009, at 9:11 PM, dan_cooper_90042 wrote:

> Dave Bell and I found and photographed what is apparently the
> continuing Curve-billed Thrasher at Chiriaco Summit along I-10 in
> eastern Riverside Co. this morning (12/30; also reported to
> inlandcountybirds).
>
> Just posting here since it hasn't been reported since mid-Nov. (per
> John Green).
>
> Dan Cooper
> Los Angeles
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I agree - I can never tell where a count is without looking it up.

Bob

Bob & Carol Yutzy
Shasta, CA



SiriusGuy@... wrote:
> I find it interesting this time of year to read about the various and
> varying Christmas Bird Count results from across the state.  The one detail
> often omitted however, would be some general description of WHERE the circle
is
>  located.  Posting the coordinates of the circle center would help, along
> with a brief description, including any particular terrain of interest. For
> someone who might have the chance to travel to an area over the holiday
> weekends, that would be very helpful. I do know that there are some listings,
> such as the one accessed by this link:
>
> _http://www.stanislausbirds.org/Events/california_cbc_circles.htm_
> (http://www.stanislausbirds.org/Events/california_cbc_circles.htm)
>
> but so far this offers just some approximations, as it does not appear that
>  the map contains links to more detailed maps of the circles.
>
> Alan Birnbaum
> Fresno CA
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Unsubscribe: mailto:CALBIRDS-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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>
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> Turn off email delivery: mailto:CALBIRDS-nomail@yahoogroups.com
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>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Alan:  Here's the Google Earth count circle the Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon
Society used for our CBC on December 27th: 
http://pvsb-audubon.org/files/GoogleEarth_PVSBCC.jpg

Nancy Feagans, Secretary/Webmaster
Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society
Redondo Beach, CA
http://pvsb-audubon.org




________________________________
From: "SiriusGuy@..." <SiriusGuy@...>
To: CALBIRDS@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, January 2, 2010 8:47:08 AM
Subject: [CALBIRDS] CBC locations

 
I find it interesting this time of year to read about the various and
varying Christmas Bird Count results from across the state. The one detail
often omitted however, would be some general description of WHERE the circle is
located. Posting the coordinates of the circle center would help, along
with a brief description, including any particular terrain of interest. For
someone who might have the chance to travel to an area over the holiday
weekends, that would be very helpful. I do know that there are some listings,
such as the one accessed by this link:

_http://www.stanisla usbirds.org/ Events/californi a_cbc_circles. htm_
(http://www.stanisla usbirds.org/ Events/californi a_cbc_circles. htm)

but so far this offers just some approximations, as it does not appear that
the map contains links to more detailed maps of the circles.

Alan Birnbaum
Fresno CA

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I find it interesting this time of year to read about the various and
varying Christmas Bird Count results from across the state.  The one detail
often omitted however, would be some general description of WHERE the circle is
  located.  Posting the coordinates of the circle center would help, along
with a brief description, including any particular terrain of interest. For
someone who might have the chance to travel to an area over the holiday
weekends, that would be very helpful. I do know that there are some listings,
such as the one accessed by this link:

_http://www.stanislausbirds.org/Events/california_cbc_circles.htm_
(http://www.stanislausbirds.org/Events/california_cbc_circles.htm)

but so far this offers just some approximations, as it does not appear that
  the map contains links to more detailed maps of the circles.

Alan Birnbaum
Fresno CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Long-tailed Duck continues at Malibu Pier, swimming along side the Surf
Scoter flock.  Also, at Malibu Creek State Park the Lewis' Woodpecker was seen
across from the lower parking lot atop dead trees at the foot of the ridge.  In
the first stream you cross on the way to the visitors center was a pair of
Hooded Mergansers.  And,lastly of note was a beautiful rufous morph (more
cinnamon colored) Red-tailed Hawk in the park.  I could not refind the Cassin's
Vireo near the visitors center, however it still could be there.  Anyone wanting
to find that bird, could you please post if you do refind it? Thanks
Louis Tucker
Santa Monica

This thread is now CLOSED!  Please do not post any further replies to the list.

Thank you and have a great New Year!

My wife and I had several limited sightings of the Brown Thrasher at AW Noone
Park in Kern County yesterday at around 4:00 PM.  I first spotted it in the
scrub beyond the juniper-looking cypress located in the western edge of the
park.  It soon reappeared 40 feet from where I last saw it as it flew into the
cypress.  Once in the cypress it was difficult to view and continued to be
elusive. It stayed in the cypress for about 10 minutes then flew to another
cypress and could not be relocated.  Also seen were several Lawrence's
Goldfinches, a Spotted Towhee and a Brown Creeper as previously noted by Ali.
Good Birding!
Jack HaydenAlbany CA
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

All,

And apologies for cross-posting. I just received a call from Dave
Compton as reported to him that the Santa Maria WHITE WAGTAIL missed
yesterday, 12/31 has been relocated today 1/1/10. The bird continues at
Laguna Sanitation wastewater treatment plant just west of Santa Maria
(see previous messages for directions). The bird turned up in the large
dry settling pond inside the facility along the western edge of the
property. This large pond in just north of the cement-lined ponds where
it has been seen most frequently. Who knows where it went yesterday.

As posted before, park outside of the plant (do not block the gate or
turn-around area) and walk along the fence and broccoli field to the
west end. From here you can parallel the fence along side the property
to reach the break or levee between the cement pond and large dry pond
where the bird is being seen today.

Good birding in 2010!

--
Jamie M. Chavez
Santa Maria, CA
http://www.sbcobirding.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I do not want to tie up CALBIRDS with a discussion of green birding or green
birding records (which is perhaps not on topic for CALBIRDS), but I would
appreciate feedback back to my email address from CALBIRD members in
response to the following.  I am sending this to you because I know of no
other way to reach so many expert birders whose opinions I respect.  Thanks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
-------------------------
There has been talk in birding circles about listing green birding
categories for big days, big years, etc., but it has generally not been too
specific as to what categories could/should be counted. I list the following
categories just as a starting point for discussion.  The ABA does not seem
receptive and so I will put many of these categories on my green birding web
site (link below).  Please let me know if you know of high numbers for the
categories listed (I list some numbers I am aware of).

1)      Big Green Big Year (Bigby) – The number of species found in one
calendar year without using any gas (walk, bike, canoe, etc.) and starting
each birding trip at your regular residence or regular place of work. (See
http://www.sparroworks.ca/bigby.html for details). The most I have heard of
is 295 in a year by Andy Kleinhesselink and Josiah Clarke of San Francisco
in 2008.
2)      Walking Bigby – Same as #1, but walking only.
3)      Public Transit Assisted Bigby – the same as #1, but the counter can
use public buses, subways and trains.  Should other forms such as ferries be
ok?  (Planes are not allowed.)
4)      Green Big Day – starting and finishing from home or your regular
place of work, bird for a 24 hour day without using fuel.  Should you be
able to start or end somewhere else as long as you used no gas to get there
and to return to home?
5)      Semi-green Big Day – birding for a 24 hour day and using no fuel,
but starting and finishing anywhere. Ted Parker and Scott Robinson had 331
species in Tambopata National Reserve, Peru, in 1982. Does anyone know the
exact date?
6)      Big Sit – counting all the birds you see and hear in one day from a
17’ diameter circle. (See
http://birdwatchersdigest.com/site/funbirds/bigsit/bigsit.aspx )  I would
propose not limiting this number to the official big sit count date in
October.  Cape May had 146 species in a day this year but I don’t know if
one person saw all of the species.  Anyone know?
7)      Big Foot Hour – How many species can you find in one hour without
using any gas – should it be ok to start somewhere other than home if
you get to the start point and/or home from the finish, without using gas?
Keith Hansen and Peter Pyle had 83 species in Bolinas, California in one
hour.
8)      Wheel Chair Big Green Big Year – I have no idea what numbers have
been achieved and would like to hear from birders.
9)      Wheel Chair Green Big Day – again I have no idea but would like to
hear what birders have achieved here.

Any of these categories could be listed by state, country or continent.  I
would appreciate high numbers from anywhere. Please let me know if you thin
additional categories would be desirable or if you would combine some of the
above categories or eliminate some altogether.

Jim Royer
Los Osos, CA
http://greenbirding.blogspot.com/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/article_1c0613ae-f451-11de-84dd-001cc4\
c002e0.html

The last part of Ed's link to the Santa Maria Times article on the White Wagtail
and the CBC was not highlighted.  You have to include the part in black on the
second line or the link won't work.

John Sayers
Los Osos, CA

Dave Bell and I found and photographed what is apparently the continuing
Curve-billed Thrasher at Chiriaco Summit along I-10 in eastern Riverside Co.
this morning (12/30; also reported to inlandcountybirds).

Just posting here since it hasn't been reported since mid-Nov. (per John Green).

Dan Cooper
Los Angeles

Greetings!

While looking for woodpeckers at Preisker Park in Santa Maria, a resident we
bumped into said there was something in the local paper about the White
Wagtail.  It was an article on the CBC.  Here's a link:

http://www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/article_1c0613ae-f451-11de-84dd-00
1cc4c002e0.html

Regards,

Ed

Ed Stonick

Pasadena, CA

edstonick@... <mailto:stonicks@...>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Greetings CAL Birders!

The White Wagtail is still present at the Laguna Sewage Treatment plant
south of Santa Maria.  Tom Miko and I and several other birders watched it
yesterday (Dec. 29) morning.  As previously noted, the bird is near the rear
of the facility, moving back and forth between the dry pond and wet pond.
Do *not* park on the right side of the road as you approach the gate.  This
is a turnaround area for large trucks and must be kept clear.  There is a
dirt area to the left that is big enough for a few cars.

Walk outside the plant along the fence to the left of the gate (through a
broccoli field) to the rear of the facillity.  Then go along the back fence.
There is a gap in the fence at the back corner.  Be careful not to come onto
the property at this point, just continue along the back fence.

If you are driving from the south, an alternate and shorter way to reach the
facility is to exit 101 at Clark Ave. near the south end of Santa Maria.
Take Clark west to Highway 1 (Cabrillo Highway), turn right and go a little
over 2 miles to reach Black Rd.  (The intersection was not clearly marked-no
sign for Black Rd.)  Drive north on Black (about a mile) and you'll reach
Dutard St. (which fortunately *is* marked with a yellow intersection sign
and the street name).  Turn left to reach the area.

Good luck!

Regards,

Ed

Ed Stonick

Pasadena, CA

edstonick@... <mailto:stonicks@...>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Anyone in the Pasadena/LA area interested in a chase :-) beginning early
tomorrow morning?  If so, please let me know ASAP.  I can drive.



Regards,

Ed



Ed Stonick

Pasadena, CA

edstonick@... <mailto:stonicks@...>





   _____

From: CALBIRDS@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CALBIRDS@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Matthew Dodder
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 1:29 PM
To: Paul Keller
Cc: calbirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CALBIRDS] White Wagtail still present





We Just left the WHITE WAGTAIL at the wastewater facility in Santa
Maria from 12:00-1:15. It was EASILY seen from outside the fence along
the back edge of the facility.

Matthew Dodder
Mountain View, CA
Http://www.birdguy. <Http://www.birdguy.net> net

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 27, 2009, at 11:58 PM, Paul Keller <wrentitpk@verizon.
<mailto:wrentitpk%40verizon.net> net> wrote:

> The Santa Maria CBC uncovered a **WHITE WAGTAIL** at the Laguna
> Sewage Treatment Plant at about 3pm and it appeared off and on until
> at least 3:30pm. A later search from 4pm to 5pm failed to find the
> bird. It's an adult and quite tame.
> Jamie Chavez gives the following directions: Laguna Sanitation is
> west of Santa Maria. Take Betteravia Rd. west
> through the city until it Y's at Mahoney Rd. Veer left. This turns
> into
> Black Road a short distance ahead as you head south toward Highway 1.
> Immediately beyond the community of Tanglewood, take Dutard St. west
> (you could easily pass it by) and drive to the end of the road to
> reach
> the plant.
> He also adds: We can't stress enough the importance of checking in at
> the office as
> instructed. When I arrived there was nobody in the office so I waited
> until I saw someone and had permission to enter. There was a time NO
> birding was allowed there so please be on your best behavior.
> Aaron or Jeremy will be on duty at the plant tomorrow (Monday) from
> 6:30am to 5pm and have been generous with their friendliness,
> cooperation and forbearance. They know where the bird has been seen.
> The WHWA was only maybe 100 m from the office about the circular tank
> with the rotating aerator and just across the dirt road by the
> concrete-lined pond.
> Alex R. Abela took photos: <http://www.flickr.
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/> com/photos/
> 78394132@N00/4221510046/in/photostream/>.
> John Deacon was the group leader for the back country section of the
> CBC. His intimate and detailed knowledge of this area is remarkable.
> Without his leadership, this WHWA might very well have passed the
> winter unnoticed.
>
> Paul Keller
> SB Vandenberg Village
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Odds nearly always are that vagrants are young birds.  Jim's excellent
description certainly supports that determination in this case.

A growing number of ornithologists now call the plumage to which Jim
refers the FORMATIVE plumage, recognizing JUVENAL plumage as the
first-basic plumage.

Ken Burton
Arcata

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim" <jpike44@...>
To: <CALBIRDS@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 11:58 AM
Subject: [CALBIRDS] SBA White (Black-backed) Wagtail



Hi,

I was curious as to the age of the recently-discovered wagtail in SBA,
as the only mention of age was as an adult. The broad post-ocular
eye-stripe, blackish mottling on the upper rump, absence of a dark base
to the remiges, and wholly white median and greater coverts indicate
that the bird is M. a. lugens (aka "Black-backed"). As for age, the two
proximal tertials look quite worn and contrast markedly with the fresher
distal tertial, the outermost greater covert appears to be a retained
juvenile feather, and the primary coverts and central alula feather are
dark, which adds up to a hatch-year bird in first-basic plumage.

Jim Pike
Huntington Beach

Not sure why this hasn't made it to CalBirds yet.  There is a photo posted on LA
county birding.
-Adam Searcy
Camarillo, CA

Subject: [BirdingCalifornia] male King Eider LA County
Hi!
Today Sunday 12/27/2009 during the Palos Verdes Peninsula CBC David Ellsworth
found an immature male King Eider at Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro, Caifornia. The
bird was ridiculously cooperative, swimming back & forth under the fishing pier.

DIRECTIONS:
Drive south from downtown Los Angeles on the 110 Harbor Freeway until it ends in
San Pedro. The freeway becomes Gaffey Street. Turn left, and keep going south on
Gaffey to 22nd Street, and turn left (east) to Pacific Avenue. Turn right
(south, and keep going until Pacific Ave almost ends: turn left at Stephen M
White Drive. Pay to enter Cabrillo Beach, and keep driving straigh ahead, until
the end of the parking lot closest to the pier (it will be easy to see where to
go--just don't go left (north) toward the marine museum/aquarium). Park, and
walk out onto the fishing pier (their is only one pier around here). The bird
swims around under the pier.

Tom Miko
Claremont, LA County