Early Monday afternoon (4/1) Vishnu observed 2 pairs of Harlequin Ducks
preening and resting on the rocks 150 yds north of the mouth of Virgin
Creek.  An  earlier search at Glass Beach had produced nothing.

However - going off topic here for anyone who may be in the area for the
next week or two - the ocean bluffs starting about 100 yds north of Glass
beach and extending most of the way to Pudding Creek are carpeted with Baby
Blue Eyes, Cream Cups and an unknown yellow daisy. The effect is spectacular
and having spent much of the past week at coastal spots from Sonoma to
northern Humboldt counties  I can say that this stretch far and away has the
best current coastal wildflower display viewed in the 3 counties.

April 2, 2002, Dorothy Tobkin reports a LONG -TAILED DUCK  near the SURF
SCOTERS and  couple of BLACK SCOTERS off Ward Avenue in Cleone.   Also 4
RED-NECKED GREBES in beautiful breeding plumage.

A BLACK-EGGED KITTIWAKE was seen flying North over Mendocino Bay.

Mendobirders,

There were 4 Black-necked Stilts at the Ukiah Sewage Ponds on 4-3-02; they
were in the northern pond.  There were also 2 dowitchers and 1 Greater
Yellowlegs.  I also had my first Chipping Sparrow of the year.

John Hunter
Arcata, CA

I'm happy to report the four BLACK-NECKED STILTS were still at the Ukiah
Sewage Treatment Plant this morning (Sat Apr 6).  They were very
skittish but allowed closest approach for photos on a small quiet pond
(no killdeer or mallard) in the extreme northwest corner of the complex.
  That's number 300 in the county for me.

Good Birding
Matthew Matthiessen

On Sunday morning 4/7/02 at the only mildly odoriferous Ukiah WWTP
(wastewater treatment plant) I observed 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTSs (towards the
western end of the middle pond), exactly 29 CANADIAN GEESE (in the northern
pond), a MERLIN and a brilliantly plumaged COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. (Whoever
first called a Yellowthroat "common" must have been  either tired or blind.)
A few hours later along the stretch of Big River that runs through
Montgomery Woods I also saw a Dipper. This bird was near the bridge that is
.3 mile east of the main Montgomery Woods parking area.
Vishnu

For the Mendo Birders, I have already called Dorothy Tobkin about this.

For everyone else,

This morning, Merlin was calling loudly from his condo cage. That silly
crow, crippled permanently by a fall from a nest near Davis, CA several
years ago and totally unable to fly, mimics the calls of ravens most of
the time. Where he used to live, the ravens would come down and "talk"
to him, so he learned their calls quite easily.

Well, this morning, Merlin was calling out in that raven call, to a
bird that was sitting outside on top of a lamp-post. This post is
barely visible from my window; there are businesses that are in a line
just behind the building I live in and their rooftops obscure most of
my view. On top of that pole, bowing and cawing, was a lone American Crow.

Now, anyone who knows the northern California coastline will tell you
that American Crows do NOT live here. Where did this crow come from? He
must have sat out there calling back and forth to Merlin for at least
an hour this morning! I rehabbed a crow a few years ago, but released
him near Willits, where there were OTHER crows of his species, and not
near Fort Bragg.

The other day as I walked along the railroad tracks, I thought I heard
a crow calling, but couldn't have been sure. . .as so often Ravens will
mimic calls and other sounds. And when I first heard this call this
morning, I thought it was the Northern Mockingbird singing from across
the street. When I went around to the back of the building, however, I
realized that it was an American Crow: there he was sitting on top of
that lamppost, smaller than our ravens, and having that typically
crow-style bowing each time he cawed. Ravens don't caw, they "grok"!
*laughing*

So, if someone brought this crow here and released it, they did it an
extreme disservice as there are no other crows here that I know of. In
fact, I spoked to Dorothy Tobkin about the crow I had a few years ago,
and she told me not to release it here. I would never do that, knowing
that crows are not native to this area......and here we are.....after
no crows for as long as I have been here (16 years), there's a crow
hanging around outside....I wonder if I could somehow catch him and
take him back to Willits, which is probably where he came from????

Strange. . .crows in Fort Bragg. *laughing*

Feather

This morning (Tues. 4/23) between 8:30 -9:15 I did some bird observing at a
spot .6 mile up North Cow Mt. There were sage sparrow, blue-gray gnatcatcher
and CA thrasher both visible and singing. Seen also were lazuli bunting and
and an orange-crowned warbler very generously displaying his
orange crown (first time I've seen that). Mountain quail and wrentits were
heard.
From Mill Cr. Rd. this spot is just a wide place on the N. Cow Mt. road .6
mile up.  The next good area (and somewhat flatter) starts at 1.2 miles from
Mill Cr.  (Avoid the pullout at .7 mile as a couple of boars were dumped
there about 6 weeks ago and it smelleth strongly....  NO, worse than that,
much worse.)
Vishnu

Thu, 25 Apr 2002 -- Dorothy Tobkin visited the Ukiah Sewage Treatment Plant
ponds and reports the following: a singing Yellow-breasted Chat, Cinnamon
Teal in breeding plumage, Ring-necked Ducks , and American Pipits.

Greetings Mendobirders:  There was a Vesper Sparrow singing in the rain
this am at the Hopland Center.  I would have driven right past the bird but
that it sounded strangely like Gene Kelly.  Lots of sparrows migrating
through the hills- Golden and White-crowned (including one with black
lores), Lincoln, and Savannah.  Chuck

***********************************
Chuck and Barbara Vaughn
1550 Deerwood Drive
Ukiah, CA  95482

cevaughn@...

I'm happy to announce that the HOODED ORIOLES have returned to their
favorite palm tree at the south end of Pomo Dr. in Ukiah for another
year.  This morning (5/2) they were working on a new nest.

- Matthew Matthiessen

Fri, 3 May 2002 -- Today I saw a WHITE-THROATED SWIFT flying near the
bridge on Hwy 101 just south of the Piercy exit. This is close to
milemarker 103.  I did not see any when I passed northbound on 28 April.
White-throated swifts were easily seen at the Edward Wagner Bridge at
milemarker 6.0 in southern Humboldt County on both the 28th and today.

George Chaniot, Potter Valley, CA

Greetings Mendobirders:  Yesterday Bob Keiffer, George Chaniot, Matthew
Matthiessen and I did some birding around the county.  Two of the
highlights were found at the USTP at about 1030: a pair of Wilson's
Phalaropes and a flyover White-faced Ibis.  One of the fellows out there
said that the WFIB had been hanging around for several days, so it might be
worth a chase.

Chuck

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chuck and Barbara Vaughn
1550 Deerwood Drive
Ukiah, CA  95482

This morning I had a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in breeding plumage at my
feeder in Little River.

Charlene McAllister
937-4463




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Today around 1:00 PM I watched a breeding adult Franklin's Gull fly by the
Mendocino Headlands slowly heading north into a strong wind.

Later in the afternoon in Ukiah I tried unsuccessfully for the phalaropes and
ibis. There was a Greater White-fronted Goose paddling around with the Mallards.



                                                                   Jerry White


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Wed, 8 May 2002 -- Today Dorothy Tobkin found a TUFTED PUFFIN in the water
off the Mendocino Headlands. It was north of the island with murres,
cormorants, and burrows where TUPUs have nested before ( This is sometimes
called Goat Island by birders, I believe incorrectly. GEC ). There were
also a number of RHINOCEROS AUKLETS in the water near the puffin.
         On May 6 she was scoping from Laguna Point in high winds and saw a
probable FRANKLIN'S GULL but did not get a definitive look. There were a
lot of migrating loons, phalaropes, scoters, and gulls.

Wednesday, 08 May, Lawrence's Goldfinches have been showing up at the UC
Hopland Research & Extension Center for about one week now...but in
scattered areas.  This afternoon between 2:00 and 2:30 PM I saw 6 LAGO and
heard a couple more by the Vasser Corner Experimental Area along University
Road.  This is the same site that has provided LAGO for birders in the
past.  After turning onto University Road, which heads east from East Side
Road just north of "Old Hopland", follow the road up the grade for about
two miles.  You will pass an old wooden barn on the right (south) side of
the road.   Go about another 1/8th mile and there will be a sharp bend to
your left.  At this turn you will look directly at the "Vasser Corner
Experimental Area" sign on a 6 foot high fence...here there will be a
pullout/parking area on your right.   Watch the tipped-over wooden box
which is a salt feeder as the birds come to this for salt.   Especially
watch the bathtub water trough... this is where I saw most of the LAGO
drinking.
There are many Lesser Goldfinches in the area so scan all the fences and
"popcorn flower" patches on which the goldfinches love to feed.   One of
the best ways to find the birds is to just sit and listen for the bell-like
tinkle call which is very distinctive once you hear it.   You can call
707-744-1424 and ask for Bob Keiffer or Chuck Vaughn if you need further
details.        Bob Keiffer

Robert J. Keiffer
Principal Supt. of Agriculture
UC Hopland Research & Extension Center
4070 University Road
Hopland, CA  95449
(707) 744-1424   FAX (707) 744-1040
HREC website:   http://danrrec.ucdavis.edu/hopland/home_page.html

Thu, 9 May 2002 -- About 10:30 this morning Dprpthy Tobkin and I saw a
WHITE-FACED IBIS at the Ukiah Sewage Treatment Plant on the small wet area
in the north percolation pond. It flushed and went down on the south pond
with all the water. This is probably the same individual which has been
seen off and on for the last week or so.
         There was also a single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE at the north
pond, at least three Yellow-breasted Chats singing along the river, Ruddy
Ducks displaying and courting actively, and American Coots breeding in all
stages from nest building to feathered juveniles.

George Chaniot, Potter Valley, MEN, CA

Sat, 18 May 2002 -- Today I helped Chuck Vaughn do his Breeding Bird Survey
along the Covelo Road (Rte. 162 between 101 and Round Valley). It was a
rather birdy morning, and we recorded over seventy species. Yellow-breasted
Chats were particularly evident along the first third of the road. Of
particular interest were a pair of RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS at milemarker
9.25, two WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS at 19.50, an adult PEREGRINE FALCON at the
sandstone cliffs near 20.50, and a singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW  in Round
Valley at 26.47.
         After finishing the survey, we returned through the high country
via Etsel Ridge, Hull Mountain, and Lake Pilsbury. In general the roads are
dry, graded, and easily traversed. However, there is still a snowbank
across road M1 between Windy Gap and Hull Mountain. and high-clearance,
four-wheel drive is necessary to get around it.
         Dusky Flycatchers were seen and heard at many locations from
Grizzly Flat to Hull Mountain (Dave Woodward reports Dusky Flycatchers as
early as May 4 in the Snow Mountain area). We did not find Hammond's
Flycatcher at Spruce Grove as we did  19 May 2001, nor did we find
Lincoln's Sparrow or Hermit Warbler yet, but there were other migrants and
residents such as Green-tailed Towhee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Fox Sparrow,
Cassin's Finch, White-headed Woodpecker, Mountain Chickadee (feeding
nestlings already), and Townsend's Solitaire.  Mountain Quail were
"quarking" everywhere, and we actually saw them 5 or 6 times. On the way
back we found a singing MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER along the Eel River about
1/4 mi up the logging road from Pioneer Crossing Bridge.

George Chaniot, Potter Valley, MEN, CA

Hi-

I've got a summertime project going to explore some areas a little off the
beaten track.  One is Chimney Rock in the Usal area, and I just found out it is
a peregrine nesting site, so we will avoid it until late summer.  The other is
Impassable Rocks, at the headwaters of Big River.  Does anyone know if this is a
peregrine nesting site?  Thanks.

Rich




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I usually refrain from posting responses... but since this may be interesting to
other Mendocino County birders (and I do not have Mr. Owings address) I am doing
so.   When the Peregrine Falcon was still listed as Endangered and the recovery
effort was in full swing there were funds available to intensively monitor and
manipulate (take eggs/place young back into) nest sites.  During this time
period biologist Monte Kirven was responsible for monitoring Northern
California.
Based upon presentations by Mr. Kirven, and personal communication with him, we
learned that Mendocino County is "very rich" in Peregrines.   Based upon USFW
data from about a decade ago, Mendocino County had more nesting pair of
Peregrine Falcons than any other county in the forty-eight states.  The county
had about one-third (over twenty pair) of all the nesting peregrines in
California (60+ pair).  The county also get numerous migrating birds during the
non-nesting season.

From my workplace at Hopland I can stand at one point and visually see four
Peregrine eiries that were active all in the same year.   The sites are all in
almost a direct line of about twelve miles in length "as the crow flies".  
There is probably not another place in North America that has this high of
density of Peregrine Falcon nests.

When the Peregrine Falcon was delisted and the monitoring funding ended Mr.
Kirven was still concerned about the productivity of the Peregrines in county,
which even though numerous, had not improved beyond a 1.4 fledglings per nest
site.

To answer Mr. Owings questions...I do not know every site in the
county...however I do know that Mendocino county has numerous scattered
"monolith-type" basalt rocks.  Almost all of these of any size with rock ledges
(like Squaw Rock south of Hopland) are or have been Peregrine nest sites...so
please be careful not to disturb nesting birds if you enjoy the sport of rock
climbing.   Most nests will fledge young by mid-June and almost always by late
June.   Many times birds, adult and/or young, will return to such rocky-cliff
sites to roost at night also.

I hope this information is helpful.    Bob Keiffer


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There's a male House Finch at my window feeders right now with a
severely swollen right eye. No apparent injuries or oozing. Is this
Avian Pox or that other one I cannot remember the name for right now?
I need to report this to someone. . .thanks.

Mendobirders,

Today there was a male and a female Wilson's Phalarope at the southernmost
pond at the Ukiah Sewage Treatment Ponds.

John Hunter
Arcata, CA

After much research on Cornell's site as well as a few others dealing
exclusively with Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, AKA House Finch Eye
Disease, I have come to the conclusion that the lesion on the House
Finch's eye the other morning was indeed Avian Pox. House Finch Eye
Disease hasn't yet made an appearance on the west coast, and Avian Pox
is by far more common. I am taking the feeders down and cleaning them in
a bleach solution and will be leaving them down for a while to give the
birds a chance to disperse before putting them back up.

Thanks to all who have so kindly written me privately with their helpful
suggestions.

Feather

I gleaned this from another Yahoo Groups list, the crows list:

AVIAN POX http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/facts/avepox.html

Cause

Poxvirus, several strains.

Host

Variety of birds worldwide: upland gamebirds, songbirds, marine birds,
parrot family, occasionally raptors, rarely waterfowl.

Transmission

Direct contact with infected birds, ingestion of food and water
contaminated by sick birds or carcasses, or contact with contaminated
surfaces such as bird feeders and perches. The virus enters through
abraded skin. Insects, especially mosquitoes, may act as mechanical
vectors.

Clinical/Field Signs

Avian pox can occur in two forms: cutaneous pox and diphtheritic or
"wet" pox. In cutaneous pox (the most common form), wartlike growths
occur around the eyes, beak or any unfeathered skin. This leads to
difficulty seeing, breathing, feeding, or perching. In diphtheritic pox,
the growths form in the mouth, throat, trachea and lungs resulting in
difficulty breathing or swallowing. Birds with either type may appear
weak and emaciated.

Lesions

Warty growths on unfeathered skin, sometimes in large clusters. Size and
number of growths depend on the stage and severity of infection. Common
sites include feet, legs, base of beak, and eye margins. Often emaciated
due to inability to feed. In the diphtheritic form, there are raised,
yellow plaques on the mucus membranes of the mouth and throat.

Wildlife Management Significance

The disease can be a significant mortality factor in some upland game
bird (fall and winter), songbird (winter), and raptor populations. Birds
can survive with supportive care, food and water, and protection from
secondary infections. Warty scabs contain infectious viral material.
Disease control recommendations are site specific, therefore contact the
National Wildlife Health Center for assistance. Decontamination of bird
feeders, birdbaths, transport cages and banding equipment with 10%
bleach and water solution is recommended. In some situations, removing
infected birds can be important to reduce the amount of virus available
to vectors and noninfected bird populations. Vector control may be
considered in affected areas.

Public Health Significance

There is no evidence of human risk.

Domestic Animal Significance

Poultry are susceptible and many are vaccinated against pox. The safety
and effectiveness of this vaccine in wild birds is not currently known.

Contact the National Wildlife Health Center for additional information
on this or any other wildlife health topic.




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On Friday Dave and Brian Woodward saw 7 Black Swift's from Summit Springs, which
is the access to the Snow Mt Wilderness on the south side of the mountain. On
Saturday they watched 18 birds feeding in flight for about an hour and a half in
the same general area. Dave and I went up yesterday and saw 2 birds fly by. All
sightings took place between 3 and 5 PM.

Dave and I also found a calling Gray Flycatcher about one half mile up the trail
from the Summit Springs Trailhead. This is the 3rd county record. Exactly one
year ago the 2nd record for the county was a bird that was found in nearly the
same location.

                                                                   Jerry White


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

Spent the weekend on the coast at Albion birding with some friends.
Best bird of the weekend was a flyby adult FRANKLIN'S GULL at Laguna
Point Sun the 26th at about 1430.  The bird was heading north and was
faily close in.  I was able to observe it clearly through my scope.

Sat night the 25th we observed a COMMON NIGHTHAWK booming repeatedly
around 2030.  To reach this location drive 3.2 miles up Albion Ridge Rd
from Hwy 1.  Turn right onto Road K and park immediately.  The bird was
calling and booming over the pygmy forest to the east of Road K at
dusk.

Also of note this weekend was a MERLIN at 10 Mile Bridge, a VIRGINIA
RAIL feeding with two chicks on the northwest edge of Lake Cleone, and
four HARLEQUIN DUCKS (three male and one female) still at Virgin Creek
Beach (all on Sun the 26th).

This morning (Mon the 27th) Dave Weibe took Stan Snyder and I on a
mini-pelagic out of Noyo Harbor.  We saw no tubnoses till we got about 8
miles out (we only went 10 miles out).  Once we got out that far things
picked up dramatically.  In only about an hour we had BLACK-FOOTED
ALBATROSS (25), LAYSAN ALBATROSS (1), SOOTY SHEARWATER (50), and
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER (1).

Good Birding Ya'll
- Matthew Matthiessen

The June 2, 2002, pelagic trip out of Noyo Harbor as coordinated by "Toby"
and the Mendocino Coast Audubon Chapter was a smashing success.  We had a
full boat and about fifteen other folks were apparently turned away.    We
began the trip at 0800 with the usual Pigeon Guillemots at the harbor mouth
and Western Gulls scattered about.   We were barely out of the harbor when
a shearwater was spotted by the close buoy no more than a few hundred yards
from the harbor mouth.   Peter Pyle quickly recognized the small bright
white and jet black birds as being a rarity with few possibilities.   Peter
immediately yelled out that we had a possible Manx Shearwater and
instructed us to look for white undertail coverts.... and yes it did have
them.   The bird was approached within 75 yards and made a couple circle
flights around the buoy giving us great looks.   Once reviewed and accepted
by the CRBC this will be the first record of a Manx Shearwater for
Mendocino County (species number 386 for Mendocino).   According to Peter
Pyle, in 1993 during El Nino years, about 100 Manx Shearwaters, normally
found in Atlantic Ocean waters, slipped around the tip of South America and
were observed off the coast of Chile.   these birds have been roaming
Pacific waters since then and experts suspect that they are breeding
somewhere in the Pacific.   Manx Shearwaters have been showing up now and
then along the California nearshore for the last few years.

The rest of the trip had great visibility but was on the rather rough side
with pretty good swells and a cold NW wind.    We had many periods of
seeing no birds, but chumming and creating slicks with cod-liver oil
resulted in a few birds tracking the scent.   We had about 30-40 Pacific
Loons, 20 Black-footed Albatrosses, 100+ Sooty Shearwaters, 10-20
Pink-footed Shearwaters, 1 Parasitic Jaeger, 1 Pomarine Jaeger,  many
Common Murres, 10-12 Pigeon Guillemots, 1 probable Red Phalarope,  4-8
Rhinoceros Auklets, Western Gulls, and Glaucous-winged Gulls.

These are my estimated numbers and may differ slightly from the "official"
count compiled by the leaders ....I just wanted to get the word out.   It
looks like there is a fall trip being planned and I encourage each of you
to participate.

Bob Keiffer

Robert J. Keiffer
Principal Supt. of Agriculture
UC Hopland Research & Extension Center
4070 University Road
Hopland, CA  95449
(707) 744-1424   FAX (707) 744-1040
HREC website:   http://danrrec.ucdavis.edu/hopland/home_page.html

Wed, 5 Jun 2002 -- Dorothy Tobkin reports a breeding plumage FRANKLIN'S
GULL flying north past Laguna Point in MacKerricker State Park. She saw a
second bird that was probably also a Franklin's. There were tons of Common
Murres and the first Heermann's Gulls of the season.

Thu, 13 Jun 2002 -- Dorothy Tobkin reports a singing, first-year male
AMERICAN REDSTART and an unusual summer WILLOW FLYCATCHER at Lake Cleone.
They were near the campground on the south side of the lake.
         She also says that there is a tentative date of  Saturday Sep. 21
for a pelagic trip out of Fort Bragg. Mark your calendars tentatively and
stay tuned for details.

Birders,

On the afternoon on 6-14-02 I headed up to Hull Mountain, to look for
Black-chinned Sparrow.  Through Covello and way out the dusty and bumpy
Forest Service route M1 along Etsel Ridge.  I stopped to camp at the first
dirt track/overlook going off to the right after the turnoff to Hull
Mountain.  Black-chinned Sparrows had been reported from here but this
location appeared to be 0.15 miles inside of Lake County, although you could
possibly hear one over in Mendo from here.  After changing the flat tire, I
could hear about 6 Common Poorwills calling on both sides of the
Mendocino-Lake county line.

On 6-15-02 I did not hear Black-chinned Sparrow from the campsite so I birded
along the road back into Mendocino.  I walked out the trail to Windy Point
(trail 10W32 on the Forest Service map) about 0.5 miles and found a good spot
to listen to the south.  After much listening, I finally heard a
Black-chinned Sparrow singing far below, but easily within Mendocino County.
I can provide better details about the location if anyone is interested.
There was also a White-headed Woodpecker near the trailhead.

In the patch of corn lily at the turnoff from M1 to Spruce Grove there was
one, possibly two, singing Lincoln's Sparrows.  I'm not sure if they get any
further than this in the coast ranges.  Green-tailed towhees were nesting in
the corn lily.

Not really sorry for multiple postings.

John Hunter
Arcata, CA