Mike's death illustrates for me one of those sad truths: that we often don't
fully appreciate the rarity of the qualities that an individual possesses until
that person has been taken away from us.

Thanks to those that posted the link to the LA Times article on Mike. I want to
point out that the family is asking that those that may have wished to send
flowers should instead contribute to an organization that was close to Mike's
heart, the Western Field Ornithologists (publishers of Western Birds magazine).
The link below will take you to their website, and one can donate via an
additional link at the bottom of the home page:  
http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/

Jim Pike

For an electronic link to the LA Times article on Mike, go to:
_http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-me-michael-san-miguel-201007\
17,0,164
3002.story_
(http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-me-michael-san-miguel-201007\
17,0,1643002.story)


Ed Pandolfino
Carmichael, CA


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

I am still trying to put into perspective the news of Mike San Miguel's terrible
accident but I just can't.  Andrew and I frequently crossed paths with Mike in
eastern Kern County and we were always enriched and invigorated by birding with
him.  However, it is Mike the quality human being that I will miss most.

Mike and I found out that we shared several things other than our personal
interest in birding.  Often Mike would remark that we were each so blessed to be
able to bird with sons who had passed up their fathers in birding skills. 
Mike's pride in Michael's birding expertise was only surpassed by his respect
for Michael's decision to bird less so that he could be a better father to Jake
and Alex.  Andrew in his post "Remembering a Friend" to inlandcountybirds
eloquently tells of Mike's importance when Andrew was an awkward teenager.  The
birding community and Mike in particular had a big impact on Andrew's
maturation; I am eternally grateful for this.

Although I have not been fortunate enough to meet Gayle or Lisa, I feel as if I
know them because of the stories Mike shared with me.  My wife, Winona, and
Gayle are both teachers.  We enjoyed talking about how nice it was to be married
to teachers.  Mike would tell me that he had never seen anyone who was such a
natural teacher as Gayle.  Winona got to bird with Mike several times, and he
would always ask about her when he saw Andrew or me.  We also shared the fact
that we each had a daughter.  Once I said to Mike I enjoyed our bragging
sessions about our daughters.  His reply was that we weren't bragging; we were
two unbiased people stating facts.

In short Mike made me want to be a better parent and a better person.  The
California birding community has lost an icon.

Vernon Howe
Riverside, CA
<vhowe@...>

Three of us went into Silverado Canyon this last month to take video of Western
Screech-Owl. The 2-minute video may be found on the Optics4Birding blog at
http://www.optics4birding.com/blog/. These adorable little owls are always fun
to see.

Dan Lockshaw
Aliso Viejo, CA
http://www.optics4birding.com
http://www.owling.com

To me, Mike was a role model in so many ways. One thing that speaks well of
Mike is that there are many of us in my generation who can say the same. I
had known Mike through acquaintances and birding for a number of years. Mike
and I became friends when he came to me to assist him with crafting a letter
to the LA County and the Army Corps over destruction of least Bell’s vireo
habitat during maintenance activities. I helped him integrate his
observations with environmental regulations that protect the vireos and
their habitat. This spring and summer, I have observed least Bell’s vireos,
as well as yellow-breasted chats and other riparian birds in new areas and
in higher densities in existing patches of riparian habitat that I believe
are a direct result of his efforts and many battles over the years.



The last time I saw him in the field was at Bonelli Park looking at a wood
stork. He was staring into his scope and I jokingly walked up behind him and
asked, “sir, what are you looking at?” As was typical of Mike, not looking
up, and not knowing who I was, he began to describe the wood stork and why
it was interesting to what he thought was a complete stranger. He finally
looked up and chuckled at me. That was Mike, always a great ambassador for
birding and conservation.



He and Gayle became good friends to me and my family. When my wife Yelitza
immigrated to the US, we visited with him and Gayle. At the time, her
English was very limited. They made her feel at home, then he broke out the
champagne and her English improved ten-fold after two glasses. They made her
feel comfortable and confident in her new surroundings. Then last year, I
brought my 2-year old daughter to his house and she learned the joy of
watching dozens (it was a slow day) of hummingbirds buzzing around her head.




Finally, I would like to thank Jon Feenstra. I cannot imagine what he must
have gone through that night. As I have read and heard, his actions during
the situation and the following morning were heroic. I am sure his presence
gave tremendous comfort to Mike. More heroic and brave was immediately going
to see Gayle and Mike’s children after he got off the mountain that morning.
All I can say is thank you and that I wish I could help lessen the sadness.
I know Mike would have been proud of your actions.



Tom Ryan

Monrovia, CA


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

All.



This was sent to me by my sister Lisa who does not have access to
Calbirds. She asked me to pass this along.





I've been reading the posts on my father, Mike San Miguel, and am
overwhelmed by all of your kind words.   I thank each and every one of
you for taking the time to post your memories of Dad.  They mean so much
to us.



The birding bug never bit me but I joke that I "bird through osmosis".
Let's just say I had an unfortunate run in with a gang of quail that
scared me half to death, at the age of 3, and I never fully recovered.
Still, I was included (or should I say dragged along?) on many birding
expeditions.  However, my fondest and most vivid birding memory is
seeing three California Condors flying in the wild back in the 70's.
Even at that young age I knew it was a big deal and I remember those
glorious condors gliding through the air as if it were yesterday.  It
was a beautiful sight and it was the moment I understood why Dad spent
so much time chasing and banding birds.  I was in awe.



Because of those excursions I can't tell you how many times I've
startled myself with my accidental birding knowledge.  I recall once
hearing a Red Tailed Hawk misidentified on NPR and saying out loud, with
disgust "That's not a Bald Eagle.  That's a Red-Tailed Hawk!" I later
told Dad about it explaining,  "I couldn't help it, it just slipped
out."  Dad loved it.



Dad didn't know much about movies, or celebrities or pop culture in
general and I think he had it right.  The world would be a better place
if we all just did as Daddy did and gave our attention to the natural
world.  Daddy taught came so many more things than I can list but more
than anything he taught me to stop and take time to notice the beauty of
nature.  He marveled at the smallest things and would always take the
time to share them with me.  I recall sitting with him at our back yard
table and watching as he gently weighed, measured and banded God knows
how many birds.   I'll miss that.



While birding was Dad's most time consuming passion, for the past couple
of decades, it was really all things in nature that he adored.  He knew
all about Southern Californian native plants, reptiles and, more
recently, butterflies.  I remember walking by the living room one day
and noticed daddy sitting very quietly in his chair, with a crossword
puzzle in his lap, no sports on the tv, gazing out the window.  I walked
by much later to find him still sitting in his chair mesmerized by
something.  As you know Dad didn't sit still much so I finally asked
what he was doing.  He silently pointed out the window.  I looked out
and didn't see much.  He said "Look up.  The butterflies are migrating.
I've been watching them for hours.  They're incredible."  I sat down
beside him and watched for a long, long time as an amazing jet stream of
butterflies fluttered, almost single file, over the oak tree, down into
the back yard then up over the house.  He was right it was amazing.
It's something I never would have noticed on my own.  I will never
forget the look of tranquility on Dad's face that day.



We rarely disagreed but I do remember what was possibly our most epic
argument.  I was wrapping up my degree at Cal State Long Beach when, one
morning, Dad asked me to take a bird to Dr. Collins at the university.
Turns out he wanted me to carry a frozen Cooper's Hawk in my back pack
down to Charlie.  I refused.  He simply could not understand why I
wouldn't do it. I'll bet some of you can't either, but I can tell you a
20-year-old young woman is NOT interested in being a mule for defrosting
bird of prey.  Dad quickly forgave me and I spent the next 20 years
teasing him about it.  Much later he admitted that is was pretty gross.



I now sit with his wedding ring on a chain around my neck.  As far as I
know Mom put the ring on his finger in 1964 and it didn't come off until
a few terrible days ago.  I will miss my sweet, wonderful Dad for the
rest of my life.  I will never get over this loss.  It sometimes sucks
the breath right out of me. The only good news is that because Dad was
such a wonderful family man, Mom, Michael and I are left with no
regrets.  We all know how much we love each other.  We also all agree
that Dad would have never survived losing one of us.  He had many great
strengths but losing one of us would have just about killed him.  Now
Daddy will never know what this kind of loss feels like and for that I
am grateful.



My Mom, Dad and now Michael's family are the great loves of my life.  I
consider that to be a great testament to the remarkable family I have
been blessed with.  I have a lifetime of memories to carry me through
this and there are more to come.  That is where I try to stay focused.
That is what will carry me through.



In closing, I ask one favor of Dad's dear birding friends; next time you
chase a great bird, get it in your sights and get a good look, take a
moment to think of Dad.  That way I'll know he's still out there birding
with you.



I'll love you forever and ever, Daddy.  Happy birding.



Lisa San Miguel







Mike San Miguel

Wulftec/MJ Maillis

Western Regional Sales Representative

mikes@... <mailto:mikes@...>

909 524-1966-phone

(819) 838-5539-fax

www.wulftec.com <http://www.wulftec.com/>

www.maillis.gr <http://www.maillis.gr/>



   P Think Green! Please consider the environment before printing this
email







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

[Below are comments by Jon Dunn - who is not on this listserve - about
Mike San Miguel]



I was in Portal Thursday night when I got the news.  It was late and a
pay phone was ringing at the Portal store.  I wondered who might be
calling to this general line late in the evening.  I finally picked it
up and learned the very sad news.  I passed it on to Kurt Leuschner who
was still up.  Dori Myers was there too.  Both were long time friends of
Mike and all of us were pretty much in shock the entire next day.



I'm sure I met Mike in the late 60's at some point when I was an
unctuous teenager.  I remember him banding birds at Morongo with Jay
Shepard.  I took a Labor Day trip with him and Shum Suffel to Death
Valley in 1971.  Guy McCaskie and Richard Webster were there too.  Apart
from the heat I remember an Orchard Oriole at Tollhouse Springs (Richard
had spotted a Brown Thrasher which eluded the rest of us), I remember a
Least Bittern at Mesquite Springs. I still remember a trip that he took
with Guy McCaskie to Furnace Creek Ranch in mid October 1971 (maybe
1970?).  I wasn't there sadly, but I recall hearing that they recorded
over 100 species that day.  I've birded there many times and have never
recorded much over 90.  I'm sure their total still stands as a record.
After returning from one year at Rockford College in Illinois to San
Diego State, I still saw Mike occasionally in the early 1970's, and
recall hearing that he had found a Cape May Warbler at Big Sycamore
Canyon in the legendary fall of 1974. But by then he pretty much had
gotten out of the birding world.  And when he appeared again about 1991,
I was moving to Ohio.



But of course I returned frequently to CA and got to know Mike much
better.  We took a few trips together.  By then Mike was President of
WFO and he was full of questions of how to build up that organization.
Most of these he acted on.  He was tireless and was never afraid to pick
up the phone.  Mike talked to everyone and was everyone's friend.  I'm
sure all connected with WFO realize that this fine organization wouldn't
be half of what it is now without Mike's guidance.



When I moved back to California in early 2000 I birded with Mike much
more.  I won't forget our trip to the Pacific Northwest in connection
with the AOU meeting in Seattle.  We birded many locations, including
the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon.



Mike was such a vibrant force in so many fields that I still can't think
of him as gone.  I always envied the energy he brought, not only to his
birding, which was foremost, but to the conservation and political
fields, wine tasting, the Dodgers (yes, always frustrating!), ...and of
course to his family.  I have no doubt that I know more about Jake than
any other toddler (well, he's growing up!) around.  I live in a small
house near Bishop, and during Mike's visits, he wondered where I could
safely store my meager supply of wine.  He almost started digging down
into the foundation himself! Every time I open a bottle of wine I will
think of Mike and his always smiling visage.



Jon Dunn

Bishop, CA





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

Fellow birders:
      Ken Burton and I visited Willow Lake, Plumas County, where we heard not one
but two (2) Yellow Rails calling Monday July 19th from 4:15 to 5:30 in the
afternoon.  We easily heard the often mentioned Yellow Rail calling
approximately 200 meters north of the end of the open water where the crossed
sticks left of the trail, now with a yellow ribbon.  This bird is about 20
meters into the edge of the marsh.  The second bird was heard faintly at least
70 meters further across the marsh.  This second Yellow Rail was more easily
heard 30 meters closer to the trail head, and could be heard when the nearer
bird ceased its calling.

Chet Ogan
  When we try to pick out anything by itself,
we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.
-John Muir

The first precaution of intelligent ecological tinkering is to keep every cog
and wheel.
-Aldo Leopold

A system of conservation based solely on economic self-interest is hopelessly
lopsided.
-Aldo Leopold

Chet Ogan
chet_ogan@...
707-442-9353


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

Save the date: the next California Burrowing Owl Consortium Meeting will be held
on Saturday, September 11th, from 10 am to 3 pm, at Viansa Winery and Wetlands
in Sonoma, California.

The event is hosted by Sonoma Birding. The venue is the beautiful Viansa Winery
and Wetlands, 25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476.

Both the science and citizen science community are most welcomed. The agenda
will include presentations by experts, breakout sessions, a panel discussion and
reception.

The meeting cost is $30, which includes lunch. Make checks payable to Viansa
Winery and mail to Sonoma Birding, PO. Box 1621, Sonoma, CA 95476 by Monday,
Sept. 6th.

Phone Tom Rusert at (707) 939-8007 or email sonomanature@... with
suggestions or questions.

Come and Celebrate Sonoma's Good Nature!

tom rusert
sonoma,ca.

Dear All,

I am looking for some help for a future publication on shorebirds. Besides the
ID plates on shorebirds we are illustrating nest with eggs and also young chicks
of each species. The current request is for supporting the job of a wildlife
artist, Szabolcs Kokay (http://www.kokay.hu) who is painting ID plates for the
book. Images will be used for reference only(!!!!) and will never be published
by us!!!

Anyone can upload images species by species by posting an e-mail to
post@... address with the image attachment
only. The subject of the e-mail should be the name of the species with the
location (e.g. Red Knot, Alaska). Every post should contain a single image only.
In the text field only write your name and if you wish your e-mail address.
Please visit the dedicated site to have an idea what is it:
http://shorebirdeggsandchicks.posterous.com/

Very important note: Don't start to search for nests referring to this request!
In case someone is encountering a shorebird nest while walking, or studying
shorebirds with permit, and take images on the accidentally found nest, that is
fine.

Images will not appear before moderation.

Kind regards, Gyorgy Szimuly (Szimi)/WorldWaders
__________
Tata, Hungary
Website: http://www.worldwaders.org
Project enquiry: projects@...
Skype: worldwaders.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118733871495865



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

Photos from friends and family of Mike San Miguel enabled the creation of this
video memorial of a small portion of his life.   Mike was a vibrant force in the
world of birding, past President of the Western Field Ornithologists, tireless
promoter of - and contributor to - eBird (4245 California checklists!) and a
patient, long-suffering Dodgers fan.  Mike's warm welcoming smile, friendly
eyes, gracious bearing and unbridled enthusiasm for exploring the natural world
are deeply missed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aW8-13p-IE

Terry Hunefeld, Encinitas, California

Hi Calbirders,

Thanks to everyone who responded with maps of which they were aware.  I've
created a PDF and added it in the files section of the group in the California
County Online Maps folder.    Many counties are missing but I have listed all
maps for which I have either found or been told about.

My original request was due to meeting someone who told me about John Sterling's
site and those birders who have tallied 150 birds in each California County. 
You can visit the site at the following link:
http://www.sterlingbirds.com/county_birders.htm

My first goal is to simply get to all 58 counties.  Now as I make it to new
areas of the state I have easy access to birding maps created by birders!

I hope everyone out there can make use of these online maps.  If I have missed
any maps or have credited the wrong person/group for a map's creation please let
me know and I fix the file.

Good birding,
BJ Stacey
Santee, CA

--- In CALBIRDS@yahoogroups.com, "Finatic" <bjinsd@...> wrote:
>
> Over the past few years I have been putting together a Google Map of San Diego
County birding locations.    I done some searching on line for other California
County birding maps and have not found but one other.  Personally I prefer
Google Maps because I can open it on my phone when traveling.  Please let me
know of any other online county birding map resources – especially if they are
Google maps.
>
> Maps for which I am aware:
> My San Diego County Birding Map
>
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=112790893377775883827.00\
044214b7c31ce3db25a&z=9
>
> David Vander Pluym's Ventura County Birding Map
>
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=112111666875650659574.00\
0460bad7f5baac97901&z=8
> Tom Benson's Inland Counties Birding Locations Map - San Bernardino,
Riverside, and Imperial Counties.
>
>
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108208772478691043243.00\
0453167c7f048348671&z=8
>
> Thanks in advance,
> BJ Stacey
> Santee
>

Does anyone have the reference for Pelagic Birding from Cruise ships
published in Birding many years ago?


I believe it focused on trips in the Pacific (especially from southern
California to Mexico).



Thanks



Jim



James F. Holmes, MD, MPH

Professor

Department of Emergency Medicine

UC Davis School of Medicine



office: (916) 734-1533





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

Welcome to the sixth annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival, home of one of the
most spectacular birding and wildlife venues in North America.

This year's festival is Sept. 23-26, 2010 at the Watsonville Civic Plaza,
located between Santa Cruz and Monterey.

Where else in the country could you look for Wrentits, Lawrence's Goldfinch,
Clark's Grebes, White-tailed Kites, Nuttall's Woodpeckers, Yellow-billed
Magpies, Snowy Plovers, California Thrashers, California Towhees, and
Black-footed Albatrosses, just to name a few?

Our festival theme this year: "The California Coast – From Condors to Snowy
Plovers" celebrates this diversity of bird life.

Designed for birders of all levels, as well as outdoor lovers, the festival
offers a unique opportunity to explore, learn and appreciate world-class
habitats such as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Elkhorn Slough
National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Pinnacles National Monument.   You'll
be able to go to outings in the mountains, shoreline, chaparral, sloughs and
grasslands.

Most half and full-day trips depart from the festival headquarters at the
Watsonville Civic Plaza and you'll travel to the region's best birding hotspots,
including Big Sur and the Ventana Wildlife Society to witness the return of the
California Condors; take a pelagic trip to one of the world's most productive
regions for albatrosses, shearwaters, storm-petrels and more; and explored in a
kayak to get closer to nature. All of our field trips are led by top quality,
local, friendly leaders.

Other workshops and outings will focus on photography, Raptor identification,
and seeing the world through an artist's eyes.  You won't want to miss the work
of Andrea Rich on display, the award-winning, internationally recognized woodcut
printmaker renowned for her singular depictions of wild animals in their natural
habitats.  The latest in optics and other birding-related exhibitors will be
available at the Vendor's Faire.

Registration for each birding event is offered a la carte, so you can mix and
match outings according to personal interests. Online registration is now
available at our web site: www.montereybaybirding.org.

For more information, call 831 600-8893.

Dave Brockmann
Festival Coordinator
Santa Cruz, CA

CALBIRDERS,

For those interested, a Santa Barbara County Black Vulture has been
reported a couple times just to the west of Goleta. First at Dos Pueblos
Canyon and Highway 101 on July 18, and again this morning above Ferren
Road in the same general area. This may be the same bird seen in the
Goleta/Santa Barbara area last fall.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sbcobirding/message/14756

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

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:  [sbcobirding] Black vulture
Date:  Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:26:55 -0700 (PDT)
From:  David Compton <davcompton@...>
To:  Unknown <sbcobirding@yahoogroups.com>



Flying west over Farren Rd at 11:20am.

Dave Compton
Santa Barbara

Sent from my iPhone





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

As I mentioned in a short note posted from the field on the Santa Barbara County
list, this morning (July 25) I saw the Black Vulture reported by Nick Lethaby
west of Goleta on July 18. After my initial post, I saw the bird a second time.
The first look was distant and only about five seconds long. The second look was
close to a minute long, but was still from a distance.
 
My first sighting was from the lower part of Farren Rd, not far from Calle Real.
This is just west of the Winchester Canyon exit on 101 (north according to
freeway signs). There, I saw the bird for about five seconds with binoculars as
it travelled westward. I followed the road uphill and northwest, and found a
high point where I hoped to refind the bird, but didn't see it. So I then went
down to US 101 and drove north/west before turning right onto a road that
crosses the highway about 1.5 miles north of where Hollister Rd crosses 101
(about 0.6 miles west of Farren Rd). From there, I refound the Black Vulture and
watched it for about a minute with my bins, as it circled an area less than 0.5
miles to the west. I eventually lost it over a hill and didn't see it again. I
think this second area is pretty near where Nick Lethaby had the bird last
weekend.
 
Turkey Vultures roost in several places in this area, so these may be good
places to search for the bird in the morning or evening. One roost is in
eucalyptus trees lining 101 on he south side, directly south of where I was when
I first saw the bird. I've been told that there aren't many birds roosting here
currently, but I saw 8-10 vultures circling in the general area this morning,
just before finding the Black Vulture. Nick Lethaby tells me that he believes
there's a roost in Dos Pueblos Canyon, nearer where he saw the bird last week.
This area is not open to the public, but you may be able to see vultures coming
out of here from one of the roads crossing 101. Also, you can often see Turkey
Vultures perched on utility poles on the north side of 101 near Naples, which is
just west of where Nick presumably saw the bird last weekend.
 
In any case, the bird has now been around for at least a week and appears to be
refindable, with some luck.
 
Dave Compton
Santa Barbara

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

Howdy, Seabirders,

Stop the presses! Astounding offshore reports from Peter Pyle and Abe
Borker who have been surveying seabirds at the Davidson Seamount,
about 60 miles from Monterey harbor, have included counts of over
3000 COOK'S PETRELS! On 23 July, they reported hourly totals: "50,
65, 85, 500, 450, 1000, 450, 250, 50, 15, 15, 25, 60. The weather was
very calm. Flocks of 100-300 sitting birds observed. Photos of up to
90 individuals." Other species recorded on this date included: Arctic
Tern (29), Xantus' Murrelet (12 scrippsii and 1 hypoleuca), Leach's
Storm-Petrel (1,745), a variety of shorebirds and 2 Cuvier's Beaked
Whales. On 24 July, Peter reported 1,395 COOK'S PETRELS with "hourly
counts of 40, 250, 350, 175, 100, 200, 20, 5, 100, 100. Fewer flocks
of sitting birds, but more flying birds in broad fronts, heading
generally NNE. Some flying high, 10-20 m above the water and flapping
like gulls." They tallied 666 Leach's Storm-Petrels, 6 South Polar
Skuas and 2 Xantus' Murrelets (scrippsii), to name a few of the species.

Cook's Petrels heading NNE— this means, if weather conditions are
kind, we have a great shot at finding some of the thousands on the
JULY 31 HALF MOON BAY trip!  A few spaces are still open on this
trip. If you would like to join us, please contact Debi Shearwater as
soon as possible by email.

County seabirding: Looking at the results of last year's trips, some
of our Monterey departures covered three counties: Monterey, Santa
Cruz and San Mateo. Trips departing from Half Moon Bay (new this
year), have a chance to cover San Mateo and San Francisco Counties.
Trips from Bodega Bay typically cover both Sonoma and Marin Counties.
Trips from Fort Bragg almost always stay in Mendocino County, but
sometimes dip into Humboldt County.

Below, I list Shearwater Journeys' upcoming pelagic trips and the
leaders. Trips denoted * have a good chance of finding COOK'S
PETRELS. Trips denoted ** have an excellent chance of finding
HAWAIIAN PETREL.

*Jul 31: Half Moon Bay Offshore with Peter Pyle, Wes Fritz, Gerry
McChesney, Matt Brady, Debi Shearwater

Aug 6: Monterey Bay with Brian Sullivan, Steve Howell, Robin Welch,
Clay Kempf, Debi Shearwater

Aug 8: Farallon Island with Steve Howell, Alan Hopkins, Debi
Shearwater- SOLD OUT

*Aug 11: Bodega Canyon & Cordell Bank with Peter Pyle, Wes Fritz,
Steve Howell, Oscar Johnson, Matt Brady, Debi Shearwater

**Aug 13: Fort Bragg: Hawaiian Petrel Search with Abe Borker, Wes
Fritz, Jennifer Green, Todd McGrath, Oscar Johnson, Matt Brady, Debi
Shearwater

**Aug 15: Fort Bragg: Hawaiian Petrel Search with Todd McGrath, Peter
Pyle, Wes Fritz, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Tristan McKee, Matt
Brady, Abe Borker, Debi Shearwater

Aug 27: Monterey Bay with Jennifer Green, Robin Welch, Wes Fritz, Ted
Chandik, John Hiles

Sep 9: Monterey Seavalley with Wes Fritz, Ted Chandik, Marcel
Holyoak, Debi Shearwater

Sep 10: Monterey Bay with Wes Fritz, Jennifer Green, Robin Welch,
Adam Searcy, John Hiles, Debi Shearwater

*Sep 11: Albacore Grounds: Offshore Monterey with Wes Fritz, Scott
Terrill, Linda Terrill, Tristan McKee, Rod Norden, Debi Shearwater

Sep 12: Monterey Bay with Wes Fritz, Jennifer Green, Clay Kempf, Adam
Searcy, Vaughan Ashby (Guest Leader), Debi Shearwater (limited spaces
available)

*Sep 13: Half Moon Bay Offshore with Wes Fritz, Tristan McKee, Alan
Hopkins, Debi Shearwater

*Sep 15: Bodega Canyon & Cordell Bank with Peter Pyle, Steve Howell,
Wes Fritz, Lisa Hug, Debi Shearwater

*Sep 17: Half Moon Bay Offshore with Wes Fritz, Marcel Holyoak,
Jennifer Green, Debi Shearwater

*Sep 18: Half Moon Bay Offshore with Wes Fritz, Steve Rottenborn,
Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Debi Shearwater

Sep 23: Monterey Bay with Wes Fritz, Terry Hunefeld, Jim Danzenbaker,
Debi Shearwater

Sep 24: Monterey Storm-Petrel Study Tour with Wes Fritz, Jennifer
Green, Terry Hunefeld, Jim Danzenbaker, Debi Shearwater

Sep 25: Monterey Seavalley with Wes Fritz, Abe Borker, Terry
Hunefeld, Mark Rauzon (Guest Leader), Michael Parr (Guest Leader),
Debi Shearwater

Sep 26: Monterey Bay with Wes Fritz, Terry Hunefeld, Jennifer Green,
Debi Shearwater

Sep 27: Half Moon Bay Offshore with Wes Fritz, Terry Hunefeld, Debi
Shearwater

Oct 2: Half Moon Bay Offshore with Todd McGrath, Wes Fritz, Lisa Hug,
Peter Pyle, Debi Shearwater

Oct 3: Monterey Storm-Petrel Study Tour with Wes Fritz, Todd McGrath,
Jennifer Green, Denise Wight, Clay Kempf, Debi Shearwater

Oct 9: Monterey Seavalley with Todd McGrath, Scott Terrill, Linda
Terrill, Clay Kempf, Debi Shearwater

Oct 11: Half Moon Bay Offshore with Todd McGrath, Wes Fritz, Peter
Pyle, Debi Shearwater

Oct 17: Monterey Bay with Jennifer Green, Wes Fritz, Todd McGrath,
Denise Wight, Clay Kempf, Rod Norden

We have a full slate of exciting pelagic trips ahead! In fact, it is
the most extensive schedule of pelagic trips on the west coast. Its
not all about the rare birds— we should see a good variety of
shearwaters (up to 10 species); storm-petrels (up to 6 species);
alcids; all three species of jaegers, South Polar Skua; phalaropes;
terns, and Sabine's Gulls, among others. Who knows which trips will
turn up the rare seabirds?

Have a hankering to see Blue Whales, the largest animals on Earth?
Jump on board our August 6th Monterey trip!

I hope that you can join us!

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater


Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
debi@...
www.shearwaterjourneys.com
www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com

South Georgia: Oct 18- Nov 4, 2010; Antarctica, South Georgia &
Falkland Islands: Nov 4-22, 2010








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

All:

A number of Whimbrels have also been color marked this year.  Watch for
them, too.  Report all sightings of color-marked birds -- whatever the
species -- to the USGS Bird Banding Lab.  (If you have contact info on the
researcher themselves -- sometimes they have webpages -- send a copy to
them as well.)

http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/call800.htm

Or phone: 1-800-327-BAND (2263)


When you see a color marked bird, note the colors (be specific, light blue
vs. dark blue, for example), and where the color markers are located on the
bird (what leg -- left vs. right, relative to the bird; where on the leg --
above the "knee" or below; what kind -- band vs. "flag"; if more than one
band, what order -- from top to bottom).  Also note standard field info --
who, what, where, when, how.

Sometimes, with good viewing conditions, you can get the numbers off the
metal bands (even if there are no "auxiliary" color markers).  Send that
info, too.

Cheers,
-Gj

====================================
  Gjon C. Hazard
  Fish and Wildlife Biologist
  Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office
  6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 101
  Carlsbad, CA 92011 USA
  Voice: 760/431-9440x287
  FAX: 760/918-0638
  E-mail: Gjon_Hazard<.at.>fws.gov
  http://carlsbad.fws.gov/
====================================
not an official USFWS post




              "Matt Sadowski"
              <matt.sadowski@at
              t.net>                                                     To
              Sent by:                  "SDBIRDS" <sdbirds@yahoogroups.com>
              SDBIRDS@yahoogrou                                          cc
              ps.com
                                                                    Subject
                                        [SDBIRDS] look for flagged Western
              07/25/2010 07:55          Sandpipers
              PM









A flagged Western Sandpiper was found today in the south San Diego Bay salt

works. A photo is posted here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68911779@N00/

See below email for more info.

----
Woohoo! That is great news Kate. Hard to believe they've made it
down to San Diego already, those guys were just on the breeding
grounds a few weeks ago! You can pass along this email to your friend
Matt. You bet, that was a bird that we captured for the first time
this year in Nome. Her full combo is

UL = metal/flag HA/dark blue, UR = Red/Yellow/Grey

She was captured 20 June 2010, and was paired with a male that
returned from 2009 - his flag combo is XY. For the Nome crew's info,
this was nest 10WESAIJ05. I don't have the info with me right now on
what her nest success was like.

You should pass along the info to your fellow birders that there are a
host of standardly marked shorebirds making their way south, as part
of the Arctic Shorebird Demographic Network. We banded all birds in
Nome with a specific combo - dark green flag + dark blue band, then an
individual colour combo on the other leg. Other network sites have a
specific colour band paired with the green flag. Rick Lanctot and
River Gates (cc'ed on this email), who you may have met at the AOU San
Diego meeting, are two coordinators of the ASDN. If you or anyone
else see flagged shorebirds, you should let them know.
----

Matt Sadowski
National City, CA



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

Howdy, Seabirders,

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better— Peter Pyle sent me
a report from yesterday's survey. He spotted a DARK-RUMPED PETREL
over the Davidson Seamount. Peter and Abe were beginning to pack up
the flying bridge after studying 1000s of COOK'S PETRELS. Suddenly,
Peter noticed a large, dark-backed Pterodroma petrel. He studied it,
got Abe on the bird. Both shot their cameras, but alas, the "winged
racer" got away. So, they are unable to say if it was a Hawaiian
Petrel or a Galapagos Petrel. So, now we know that Dark-rumped
Petrels are out there, too!

Other highlights of this day, July 25, 2010, as reported by Peter
Pyle, included: 725 COOK'S PETRELS, 425 Leach's Storm-Petrels, 10
Long-tailed Jaegers, 15 Arctic Terns, 10 Xantus' Murrelets, 2
Cuvier's Beaked Whales, probable Baird's Beaked Whales, 80 Fin Whales
and a variety of dolphins. A Baird's Sandpiper landed on the ship at
the end of the day, above the center of the Davidson Seamount!

Peter and Abe are now headed into shore. They were about 15 n miles
off Half Moon Bay when I last heard from them. You can catch up with
them on Shearwater Journeys' trips this fall. Peter will be co-
leading the July 31st trip departing from Half Moon Bay.

PLEASE NOTE: The July 31 Half Moon Bay trip is SOLD OUT. For all
participants reading this email, please be at least on time, and
preferably early to the boat. 7 am at the latest. We would like to
get off on time, or earlier, in order to get offshore.

If you are looking for either Cook's Petrels, or Dark-rumped Petrels,
I would highly recommend the following trips: Aug 11 from Bodega Bay
and August 13 & 15 from Fort Bragg. Spaces are available. Details on
Shearwater Journeys' web site. The Blue Whale show in Monterey sounds
absolutely sensational! August 6th from Monterey, we still have
spaces available, and of course, we'll be seabirding, too! Monterey
Bay is loaded with krill!!

If you are not a seabirder, and have made it this far in this email—
please rejoice in hearing some good news about the ocean for a
change!! Isn't it nice?

Pterodroma fever,
Debi Shearwater

Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
debi@...
www.shearwaterjourneys.com
www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com

South Georgia: Oct 18- Nov 4, 2010; Antarctica, South Georgia &
Falkland Islands: Nov 4-22, 2010








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

----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Sadowski" <matt.sadowski@...>
To: "SDBIRDS" <sdbirds@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 7:55 PM
Subject: look for flagged Western Sandpipers


>A flagged Western Sandpiper was found today in the south San Diego Bay salt
>works. A photo is posted here:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/68911779@N00/
>
> See below email for more info.
>
> ----
> Woohoo! That is great news Kate. Hard to believe they've made it
> down to San Diego already, those guys were just on the breeding
> grounds a few weeks ago! You can pass along this email to your friend
> Matt. You bet, that was a bird that we captured for the first time
> this year in Nome. Her full combo is
>
> UL = metal/flag HA/dark blue, UR = Red/Yellow/Grey
>
> She was captured 20 June 2010, and was paired with a male that
> returned from 2009 - his flag combo is XY. For the Nome crew's info,
> this was nest 10WESAIJ05. I don't have the info with me right now on
> what her nest success was like.
>
> You should pass along the info to your fellow birders that there are a
> host of standardly marked shorebirds making their way south, as part
> of the Arctic Shorebird Demographic Network. We banded all birds in
> Nome with a specific combo - dark green flag + dark blue band, then an
> individual colour combo on the other leg. Other network sites have a
> specific colour band paired with the green flag. Rick Lanctot and
> River Gates (cc'ed on this email), who you may have met at the AOU San
> Diego meeting, are two coordinators of the ASDN. If you or anyone
> else see flagged shorebirds, you should let them know.
> ----
>
> Matt Sadowski
> National City, CA

This from today on the Black Vulture near Goleta.
 
Dave Compton
Santa Barbara

--- On Mon, 7/26/10, Joan Lentz <joanlentz@...> wrote:


From: Joan Lentz <joanlentz@...>
Subject: [sbcobirding] Black Vulture leaving roost this a.m. at 10:30
To: "sbcobirding" <sbcobirding@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Monday, July 26, 2010, 12:17 PM


    Hi All:
        I wanted to show the Black Vulture to Marilyn, so we thought we'd
head out towards the eucs. that grow on the south side of the freeway,
directly across from Camino Real between Winchester Canyon Rd. and Farren
Rd.
        Here's what we did:  going north exit at Winchester Cyn. Rd. &
follow Calle Real straight ahead.  Go past the traffic control stuff
(another stop sign) and at about .25 mi. past this, you'll see a little
service road off Calle Real on your right ( a sign says 8200 Calle Real).
It's just a driveway where one car can pull off.
        Across the freeway, we could see about a dozen TVs perched in the
tops of the eucs.  This was around 9:45 a.m.  We got out the scope & waited
for half an hour, but nothing was really popping.   The birds just sat there
& only TVs were visible.
        So, we decided to park our car at the bottom of Farren Rd. & start
walking up it, hoping the vultures would get up & fly over.  Well, we should
have waited another 15 mins., because at 10:30 a kettle of about 25 TVs
arose up into the air & WE SAW THE BLACK VULTURE!  We were looking back east
from about halfway up the steep part of Farren Rd., & we saw all the TVs
circling right above the patch of eucs. where we'd been looking earlier.
And yes, it was a distant view, but the bird's shape is unmistakable even
from far away.  It also flaps more than a TV, has almost a tail-less
appearance from a distance, and really fat wings.
        My suggestion would be to go to that place along Calle Real & wait
there for the roost to fly out.  Obviously, I think they might "get up"
earlier in the day if it weren't so cold and damp, like it was this morning.
        Good luck!

    Joan Lentz
    Santa Barbara




------------------------------------

For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com
. Yahoo! Groups Links





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

This o

--- On Mon, 7/26/10, Joan Lentz <joanlentz@...> wrote:


From: Joan Lentz <joanlentz@...>
Subject: [sbcobirding] Black Vulture leaving roost this a.m. at 10:30
To: "sbcobirding" <sbcobirding@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Monday, July 26, 2010, 12:17 PM


    Hi All:
        I wanted to show the Black Vulture to Marilyn, so we thought we'd
head out towards the eucs. that grow on the south side of the freeway,
directly across from Camino Real between Winchester Canyon Rd. and Farren
Rd.
        Here's what we did:  going north exit at Winchester Cyn. Rd. &
follow Calle Real straight ahead.  Go past the traffic control stuff
(another stop sign) and at about .25 mi. past this, you'll see a little
service road off Calle Real on your right ( a sign says 8200 Calle Real).
It's just a driveway where one car can pull off.
        Across the freeway, we could see about a dozen TVs perched in the
tops of the eucs.  This was around 9:45 a.m.  We got out the scope & waited
for half an hour, but nothing was really popping.   The birds just sat there
& only TVs were visible.
        So, we decided to park our car at the bottom of Farren Rd. & start
walking up it, hoping the vultures would get up & fly over.  Well, we should
have waited another 15 mins., because at 10:30 a kettle of about 25 TVs
arose up into the air & WE SAW THE BLACK VULTURE!  We were looking back east
from about halfway up the steep part of Farren Rd., & we saw all the TVs
circling right above the patch of eucs. where we'd been looking earlier.
And yes, it was a distant view, but the bird's shape is unmistakable even
from far away.  It also flaps more than a TV, has almost a tail-less
appearance from a distance, and really fat wings.
        My suggestion would be to go to that place along Calle Real & wait
there for the roost to fly out.  Obviously, I think they might "get up"
earlier in the day if it weren't so cold and damp, like it was this morning.
        Good luck!

    Joan Lentz
    Santa Barbara




------------------------------------

For everything birding in Santa Barbara County: http://www.sbcobirding.com
. Yahoo! Groups Links





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

Santa Barbara Pelagic Saturday - Lodging for Friday night July 30

I've reserved a room with two beds in Santa Barbara (a few minutes literally
from the dock for the Saturday Pelagic) which includes a small kitchen.  The
price would be split ($95 total) two ways so $42.50 plus tax / person.

Lodging in Santa Barbara is steep and therefore this is a bargain if another
wants to share and save, which of course help me too :)

If any birder is interested please reply off-line to me at: tsuru8@...  
--- Thanks --- Monte Taylor

A juvenile RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW here this morning (7/27) was the fourth
post-fledging wanderer detected on the property in ten years.

I wrote a small "featured photo" piece for Western Birds (Vol. 40, No. 4, 2009)
about juvenile Rufous-crowned Sparrow plumage, based on photos I shot here in
Deer Canyon on August 6, 2006.  The 2006 bird was the third occurence of a
summer juvenile rufous-crown on the property since 2000.

This morning's bird is interesting for three reasons:

1) any wandering Rufous-crowned Sparrow is "interesting" because of their
remarkable territorial fidelity.  A post-fledging wandering juvenile is,
however, certainly more expected than a wandering adult.  (See: Collins, P.
1999.  "Rufous-crowned Sparrow".  The Birds of North America, No. 472.)

2) the nearest known territory/population is 2 3/4 direct aerial miles distant.

3) this morning's bird is in much fresher plumage than the August 6 2006 bird. 
(my photos in Western Birds showed a bird already molting into post-juvenile
plumage with streaking on the breast and belly much diminished, the lores
lightening and the malar stripe darkening noticeably.  The dark lores on this
morning's bird surprised me.)

I've uploaded five photos of this morning's bird on my flickr site, giving a
pretty comprehensive view of fresh juvenile plumage--this bird even still has a
residual bit of the fleshy corner to the gape present in nestlings.

Brad Schram
Arroyo Grande, CA
http://flickr.com/photos/chaparralbrad/



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

Birders:

The Los Angeles Audubon July 31st Condor Express Deep Water Pelagic from Santa
Barbara as well as Shearwater Journeys Half Moon Bay trip are both completely
sold out. Both trips were booking well, but the announcement that thousands of
Cook's Petrels and a "Dark-rumped" Petrel were at the Davidson Seamount this
week has generated more interest in the trips.

While no additional birders will be able to particpate this weekend, the good
news is that there are quite a few upcoming trips that offer a good chance to
see Cook's Petrels as well as other rarities. I will outline them in
chronological order:

Shearwater Journeys:

August 11 Cordell Bank Trip - A few spots remain on this trip. Cordell Bank and
Bodega Canyon are two of the best seabird locations anywhere on the west coast.
Summer rarities have included Shy and Short-tailed Albatrosses, Cook's,
Hawaiian, and Great-winged Petrels. Almost any seabird possible in Northern CA
has shown up here, and mid-August is a peak time to be out looking. Outside of
Ft Bragg, this is the best location to look for Hawaiian Petrels. Cost is $189
and the trip meets at Bodega Harbor at 630AM. See Debi's contact information
below.

August 13,15 Ft Bragg - spots remain. I have seen 2 Hawaiian and 2 Murphy's
Petrels(spring) in fewer than 6 trips out of Ft Bragg. All of these petrels were
within 10 miles of the coast. Other summer rarities have included Shy Albatross,
Streaked and Manx Shearwaters and Yellow-billed Loon. Ft Bragg trips record
Hawaiian Petrels in August about every other year, perhaps a bit more, which is
remarkable considering Debi usually runs just a couple of trips each August.
recent satellite tracking data indicates that Hawaiian Petrels regularly occur
in this area of the Pacific. Interestingly, the Mendocino coast is closer to
Hawaii then San Diego is, perhaps explaining part of the reason this species
chooses to forage here.  Cook's may also be seen on these trips, as there is
relatively deep water close to shore, and good upwelling features. It would not
surprise me if the next CA mega-seabird showed up here. I will be one of Debi's
leaders on these two trips and hope to see some of you onboard. Cost is $189 and
we meet at 630AM at Noyo Harbor.

Debi has trips through the middle of October this fall, and while I don't know
how long the Cook's will last, fall is time for large numbers of migrant
seabirds, and a great time for rare shearwaters and storm-petrels.

For any of the trips listed above e-mail Debi at debi@....
Her website Shearwaterjourneys.com has a full schedule of Debi's trips as well
as all the logistical information needed.


Buena Vista Audubon

Aug 16-18 The Buena Vista Audubon is offering a 48 pelagic from San Diego on the
Grande. A 56 hour trip in May produced 170 Cook's Petrels. Red-billed Tropicbird
has never been missed on a 48 hour Grande trip, and this species appears to be
present in moderate numbers off SoCal this year. This is a great time to look
for Leach's storm-petrel subspecies, Least Storm-petrel and Craveri's Murrelet.
Small numbers of Leasts have been reported nearshore already this year. It is
just a matter of time before this trip produces another great record. Grande is
a comfortable 85 ft boat, which carries about 42 leaders and passengers. Plenty
or room to move around. Sleeping is in a dormitory style bunk room below deck.
Hot food and beverages are available for purchase. details are below:

Just a few spots remain so act now if you are interested.


Arrival Time:  6:00 a.m.
Boarding Time:  6:30 a.m.
Departure Time: 7:00 a.m. sharp
Return:  7:00 a.m. Wednesday

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS:  Advance reservations are $325, discounted to $285 if
registered by July 31.
RESERVATIONS BY PHONE (Check or Credit Card):  Telephone Point Loma Sportfishing
(the landing) seven days a week
at (619) 223-1627.  Tell them to wish to make a reservation for a birding trip
on Grande and give them the date of departure

There are numerous other trips out of Southern CA visit www.socalbirding.com for
a full listing.

Searcher Natural History Tours Labor Day Pelagic

This 5 day trip departs San Diego about Noon on Sept 6 returning Friday Sept
10th in the early AM (about 7). Comfortable staterooms, gourmet meals, and a
trip through all of the lifezones of the Southern CA bight are just a couple of
the things that make this trip a winner. Least Storm-petrel and Red-billed
Tropicbird are expected, along with almost all the regularly occurring seabirds
in Southern CA. September trip rarities have included Red-tailed Tropicbird,
Bulwer's, Hawaiian, Cook's and Murphy's Petrels. 3 subspecies of Leach's
storm-Petrels
plus Black and Ashy make this a great Storm-petrel study tour.

I love waking up at dawn far out to sea, watching the sunset over the San Juan
Seamount, and getting to yell out those rare birds while nibbling a warm
chocolate chip cookie. It doesn't get any better than that. Searcher is a 95ft
vessel designed to do multi-week Fishing and natural hsitory tours in comfort.
The crew from the Captains to the deckhands are accomodating and helpful. There
is no trip I look forward to more each fall, and I hope you can join us. This
trip typically is sold out by now, but this year there are still some spots.
Cost for this trip includes all food and beverages (basically the trip includes
everything but a tip for the crew). Contact info below:

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS:  Advance reservations are $1075 and include all meals,
snacks, beverages.  Reservations for this trip are handled by Searcher Natural
History Tours  (619) 226-2403 or the Searcher Natural History Tours website

2010 has already been a banner year, and the season is just getting started.
Book your fall trips today, as I expect many will sell out.


Good Seabirding!

Todd McGrath
SKUA@...
Calabasas CA

You may be interested to learn:

http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/ebirder-of-the-month-Mike_San_Miguel

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

I currently have a need for data related to occurrences of migrating willow
flycatcher in non-riparian habitats.  If anyone has data on such occurrences
that they are willing to share please contact me.  Data that would be useful
includes the following: (1) location; (2) date or season; (3) behavior; (4) type
of habitat; and (5) approximate distance to nearest riparian habitat.  Note that
if you have records of migrating willow flycatchers, but cannot provide all of
the data above...please provide the data that is available (it is all
potentially useful).  Responders can also reach me off-line at
michael.bumgardner@....

Mike Bumgardner
Gold River, CA

Howdy, Pterodroma Folks,

This is just a very brief update on trips and how to get on board.

The August 11th Shearwater Journeys' trip departing from Bodega Bay
has only 4 spaces available. If you have sent in a check for a
reservation, and not contacted me, please email me, immediately. If
you would like one of the remaining four slots on the boat, please
email me and follow it up by sending your payment, asap. I will
pencil your name in for 3 days. I am primarily making this post to
let you know that this trip is about to sell out.

The August 13 and 15 Shearwater Journeys' trips departing from Fort
Bragg have a fair amount of spaces available. Again, if you would
like to go, please email me first and follow up with your payment. I
am asking this so that folks are not disappointed about getting on
the trips.

Stay tuned after the July 31 trip is completed. There is a chance
that I will run another trip from Half Moon Bay, not on the schedule.
I will only do this if we find the Cook's Petrels.

For information about planning your trip, please see my blog at:

http://shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com/2010/07/planning-your-pelagic-
trips.html

Scroll down for information regarding booking motel rooms and
discounts in Bodega Bay.

For folks who are interested in seeing the Blue Whales in Monterey,
we still have spaces on our August 6th departure from Monterey.

RESERVATIONS: Please include the name, address, cell phone, and email
of each person, either when you email me, or send in your payment.
Discounts on the boat trip fares are not available for last minute
sign ups. Sorry. I am not available by phone,

It will be refreshing to have some good news, and wildlife sightings,
and good times out at sea.

See you out there!
Pterodromas forever,
Debi Shearwater


Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
debi@...
www.shearwaterjourneys.com
www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com

South Georgia: Oct 18- Nov 4, 2010; Antarctica, South Georgia &
Falkland Islands: Nov 4-22, 2010








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

Mary ann and Jerry  ambrose heard the yellow rail @willow lake today, july 29 @
4:30 p.m. Till about 5. This was the spot 200 meters beyond the lake originally
cited. Gorgeous place and awesome life bird! Thanks to those who paved the way!
Had williamson's sapsucker opn the road in to campground.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

For anyone thinking of attending the WFO Conference in Palm Desert (Oct
14-17), you need to know that the field trips are filling up fast. Some are
already full and others have just a few spots left.

We also have an excellent set of Workshops (ID of Fall Sparrows with Jon
Dunn; Bird Specimen prep with Kimball Garrett, Field Sound Recording with
Nathan  Pieplow, Bird Sounds with Sylvia Gallagher, and Data Mining with yours
truly):  Talks by Paul Lehman, Dr. Cameron Barrows, and Dr. Douglas
Altshuler, Scientific  Sessions summarizing the latest work in Western
ornithology,
and the  ever-popular Experts' ID Panels.

A special 'add-on' three day trip to the Colorado River Delta in  Mexico
has only two spots left.


Ed Pandolfino
Carmichael, CA


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