16 November 2010 - Last Saturday I reported a Lewis's Woodpecker that flew
across University Road here at the UC-Hopland Research & Extension Center.
That evening, a staff person's spouse picked up an injured bird alongside
the road near to where I had seen the Lewis's.   I expected to see an acorn
woodpecker or screech owl in the box .but there it was, the immature Lewis's
Woodpecker.  I at first thought that it must have been hit be a vehicle, but
a closer look revealed that is was missing the majority of primary feathers
on one wing . and I think a raptor such as a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned hawk
just missed the bird and instead grabbed a talons-ful of flight feathers
instead.    The woodpecker was alert and quite perky in the morning, so I
released it into a large Quercus lobata (Valley Oak) near the headquarters,
and it happily ascended the main trunk.  However, I have not been able to
relocate the bird since (and I am a bit baffled as to where it went).



Oh .and anyone driving past the Garcia River flats should keep an eye out
for Sandhill Cranes as the two fly-overs near Anchor Bay MAY have stopped
there.



Good birding.  Bob Keiffer



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I have posted three photos of the Sandhill Cranes that were seen in Anchor Bay
yesterday.

Jeanne Jackson

Greetings Mendobirders-  Jerry White asked that I post some birds of local
interest that he found around Hunter's Lagoon this morning.  At the small
stock pond on the south side of Stoneboro Road was a PALM WARBLER.  Just
past the first Duxbury turnoff from Stoneboro Road was a flock of 15 RED
CROSSBILLS.  In the brush above Hunter's Lagoon at the end of Barnegat
Road there was a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.

Jerry White


--
Chuck and Barbara Vaughn
Ukiah, CA

Wednesday November 17, 2010 -  The highlight of our birdwalk through the
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens this morning was a female Bullock's
Oriole feeding in the Banksia tree.  Toby Tobkin found the bird but Art
Morley made the ID.

  From the headlands, we watched a nearly continuous stream of Loons
flying south, low over the water.  Most of them appeared to be Pacific
Loons, but Red-throated and Common were also present.  Surf Scoters and
Common Murres are also passing by (the Murres somewhat farther offshore).

We tallied 47 species this morning.

Cheers,
Tim Bray
Albion

November is a busy month with many of us beginning to shop for Christmas
presents.  This year you can "support two birds with one stone" by attending
Peregrine Audubon Society's monthly meeting on Thursday, November 18 at 7PM at
the Ukiah City Council Chambers.  In addition to Park Steiner's presentation on
salmonids, PAS is hosting a Silent Auction to benefit their conservation and
education programs.

Bid on wonderful items including tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, birding
trips led by local experts, catered dinner for four, Dave Bengston's
hand-crafted bird houses, and much more.

Tonight our own Park Steiner, fisheries biologist and authority on our local
salmonids, will be discussing the natural history of these fish, their
historical and present status, and the prospects for their future.  The Russian
River watershed once provided habitat for tens of thousands of salmonids.  Today
that number is probably less than 1000.  What happened?  As Park will discuss,
the causes were not intentional, but the results of many factors with
significant cumulative impacts over time.  Given our present day struggles with
issues like water storage and deliveries and habitat conservation, this is a
timely presentation and one you will not want to miss.

The Council Chambers are in the Ukiah Civic Center at 300 Seminary Avenue.  From
South State Street turn west on Seminary and go to the end into the parking lot.

There were five Common Moorhens at the college 9:30 am.  A coot has joined them.

Birders,

Yesterday (11/17/10) I saw 3-4 Horned Larks and 1 Palm Warbler just west
of the campground at Manchester State Park.

John E. Hunter
Arcata, CA

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I had a White-throated Sparrow show up for breakfast this am along with a whole
new slew of Golden-crown Sparrows.  I also have a Bewick's Wren that has been
coming to a suet feeder for a couple of weeks now.  I also had a triple this am
with Mourning Doves, Eurasian-collared Doves and Band-tailed Pigeons.

November 19, 2010.  Friday
At 7:20 this morning I had a female SUMMER TANAGER sit in the top of a dogwood
in my yard (end of north Harold Street at the edge of Pudding Creek drainage)
for about 60 seconds. It seemed to watch the seed-eating birds feed on the
ground, then lost interest and flew away. Key attributes were size and posture,
brown/olive back and wings, lack of any apparent wing bars, very large bill
(relative to size of head), and slightly crested crown. The breast reflected a
slight yellow-orange hue in the early light.
Dave Jensen

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Sun, 21 Nov 2010 -- Dorothy Tobkin found a ROCK SANDPIPER a short distance
south of Laguna Point in MacKerricher SP.  From the point overlook, walk on the
dirt path SE past the large, grass-topped rock to the second small cove. 
Looking
south toward a long rock where cormorants roost, look at the smaller rocks
closer
to where you are standing.  The ROSA was with some Black Turnstones.

For Dorothy "Toby" Tobkin

(K Havlena)
North of Fort Bragg, MEN, CA




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Sun, 21 Nov 2010 -- The older, adult FERRUGINOUS HAWK has been
replaced by a sub-adult Ferruginous.  This new bird has been around
for several days, and is smaller in stature than the older adult bird, so
I'm guessing that this bird may be a male.  This FEHA sits at the top
of a cypress  north and across Hwy 1 from mm 70.32.

Also continuing from 30 October, is a SAY'S PHOEBE who feeds in
our yard as well as a couple of neighbor's yards in Ocean Meadows.
New "yardbird" on 18 Nov- I finally added WILD TURKEY to our yard list
after six years of knowing they were in the Seaside Ck drainage. 

Karen Havlena
North of Fort Bragg, MEN, Calif




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Hi Gang,

Al flew in this morning early AM, spotted by locals...

I sent Bob K a pic since I've never figured out how to post pics on this page
(or have forgotten:) )

Peace,

Tom Reid
Point Arena

Such good news! Really makes my - and a lot of other people's - day!!!
             Jeanne  18 years now, correct?
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: point_of_fact
   To: Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 11:09 AM
   Subject: [Mendobirds] Al the Albatross is back



   Hi Gang,

   Al flew in this morning early AM, spotted by locals...

   I sent Bob K a pic since I've never figured out how to post pics on this page
(or have forgotten:) )

   Peace,

   Tom Reid
   Point Arena






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



   No virus found in this incoming message.
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   Version: 9.0.869 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3271 - Release Date: 11/21/10
11:35:00


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I just posted a very poor quality pic of Al to folder "Al" in the 'Photos'
section...

What was a cropped and © marked decent pic got reverted to its original size w/
the wording deleted... oh well, at least it show our favorite flyer resting up
after a long flight...

Tom

PS Trying to switch over to a Mac after 20+ years using PC's is not easy... VERY
NOT EASY!!!  AAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!

11/22/2010 1:50 -3:50 p.m.

Campgrounds:
Common Ravens
8 California Quail
2 Hairy Woodpeckers
Wrentit
House Finches
American Robin
Song Sparrows
2 Turkey Vultures flying overhead
Possible Yellow-rumped Warblers
Chestnut-backed Chickadees

Lake Cleone:
100+ American Coots
Marsh Wrens
Pied-billed Grebe
Mallards
Great Egret west of park road, near ocean outlet




Coastal Rocks/Offshore:
Black Phoebe
Black Oystercatchers
Pelagic Cormorants
Black Turnstone
Western Gulls
2 Brown Pelicans flying south


Fred Andrews

Mon Nov 22, 2010--Yesterday I was finally able to locate "Wes" the Gull at Van
Damme Beach. I've downloaded a picture of Wes with an insert showing the bands
upclose. If you squint your eyes you can see 0134 on the silver band.

Wes was banded near the Farallon Islands on June 24th, 1989. Was first found by
George Chaniot in March of 1996, again on January 6, 2006,and again on January
2, 2010. Rick Harris found it on November 6th of this year. All these sightings
were at Van Damme.

If you go see "Al" stop by and see "Wes". Wes has been around our coast longer
then "Al". It could just be my imagination but Wes doesn't have the spring in
it's step that the younger gulls have.

Richard Hubacek
Little

I am wondering about Al the Albatross. Perhaps 15+ years ago we had an
Albatross on the ground at our mailboxes, after quite a storm. It was in
line of sight of Ft Bragg, 25 miles inland, on the top of the ridge where
Blackhawk meets Williams Ranch Rd - Western end of Ridgewood Ranch. The bird
was sitting there somewhat confused about being so far inland, I am sure.
What can anyone tell me about his history here?
Kitty
Kitty & Creek Norris
Willits, CA
www.magneticgraffiti.com
www.iridiumradio.com
www.kittynorris.com
"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive & go do it.
What world needs is people who have come alive." ~ Howard Thurman
----- Original Message -----
From: "point_of_fact" <reid@...>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 11:09 AM
Subject: [Mendobirds] Al the Albatross is back


Hi Gang,

Al flew in this morning early AM, spotted by locals...

I sent Bob K a pic since I've never figured out how to post pics on this
page (or have forgotten:) )

Peace,

Tom Reid
Point Arena

23 November 2010 - Thanks to T. Reid for posting the return of the Laysan
Albatross (11/22) to the Point Arena Cove.  First of all, thanks to everyone
who keeps track of "Al" (or Alene?), the Laysan Albatross that habitually
uses Point Arena Cove for loafing during the winter months. Even though the
bird becomes "expected" there will be a day when it does not return . which
will be a sad day for us in Mendocino County.  Anyway, thanks also to those
who post the bird's happenings as there are many folks, even out of the
country, that pay particular attention to this individual bird.



To any of you visiting the cove with hopes of seeing "Al" you can expect
about a 50% chance of seeing the bird on any one day.  A good tip is, "
check the cove every couple hours throughout the day".



Here, again, is the summary of "Al's" comings and goings from Point Arena
Cove, Mendocino County, California USA.



Also, thanks to the local business folks and surfers who keep an eye on Al
to insure the birds safety.



?????               to         28 February 1994 when first discovered by

Todd Easterla and Jim Booker

30 Nov 1994      to         27 Mar  1995     report of two birds in

synchronized flight beyond the "cove"

5 Dec 1995        to         14 Mar  1996

3 Dec 1996        to         26 Mar 1997

27 Nov 1997      to         8  Mar 1998

12 Dec 1998      to         21 Mar  1999

4 Dec 1999        to         12 Feb 2000 with a fly-by-the-cove (same bird?)

on 2 Apr 2000 (G.Chaniot)

26 Nov 2000      to         26 Feb 2001

28 Nov 2001      to         24 Mar 2002

21 Nov 2002      to         12 Mar 2003

25 Nov 2003      to         28 Feb 2004

28 Nov 2004      to         21 Feb 2005

26-30 Nov 2005  to         19 Mar 2006

25 Nov 2006      to         16 Mar 2007

7 Dec 2007        to         5 Mar 2008

22 Nov 2008      to         23 Mar 2009  5:26 PM

18 Nov 2009      to         23 Mar 2010

22 Nov 2010       to          wait and see

Since Laysan Albatross are so long-lived (50+ years) it is absolutely
unknown as to how many years prior to 1994 that this bird may have been
using Point Arena Cove un-noticed.



Again, this is probably the only place on the west coast (WA/OR/CA) where
one can reliably see this species with the observer standing on solid ground
(not on a boat).



Good birding.  Bob Keiffer





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19,20,22 November 2010 – There has been a large flock of Canada Geese
foraging in the permanent pasture field of the UC Hopland Research &
Extension Center.

The pasture is on the north side of University Road about ½ mile east of the
intersection with Old River Road.  Last Friday I counted 110 Canada Geese,
which normally would not be “reportable” due to the large numbers of
resident Branta canadensis moffitti,  the Great Basin Canada Goose.   This
flock seems to be comprised of about 20% B.c.moffitti and about 80% Branta
Canadensis occidentalis, or the “Dusky” Canada Goose.  The Dusky’s are as
large as the smaller Great Basins, but instead of having a very light breast
and belly like the Great Basin’s, they have a rich chestnut-brown to dark
chocolate brown breast and belly, and have an overall darker appearance.
There is also one Chinese Goose mixed in with the flock, and I am assuming
it is a “domestic variety” with the protuberance on the forehead and lighter
breast, instead of their ancestral wild species of Swan Goose Anser
cygnoides (from Siberia/Mongolia/China).   I did not have my scope to check
it out closely.



There has also been an immature F.p. anatum Peregrine Falcon (11/19)
harassing the starlings in the field.



Good Birding.  Bob Keiffer.



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Tues Nov23, 2010--This morning while looking out my window into my bird feeding
area I noticed 4 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. There was one bright white type, two
tan types (both seen at the same time) and what seemed like a first winter white
type. The most seened previously in my yard has been one. I now realize that I
heard a White-throated Sparrow singing a couple of days ago.

Richard Hubacek
Little River

November 23 2010. Spotted a single Bonaparte's gull down at Van Damme this
afternoon. I first noticed something smaller and more delicate flying back and
forth along the surfline. After following it back and forth and staring into the
sunset until my eyes were watering and finally giving up, it landed in the
Little River outflow and took a bath and I got a good look.

Rick Harris

Greetings Mendobirders-  This morning I saw a SWAMP SPARROW at the UWTP.
The bird was in the northern end of the weedy ditch between the sludge
pond and the south oxidation pond.  This may well be the same bird that
Jerry White saw on 11/9, although he saw the bird on the western edge of
the sludge pond.  There was also a male RING-NECKED PHEASANT skulking in
the field to the south of the UWTP (former pear orchard).

Chuck



--
Chuck and Barbara Vaughn
Ukiah, CA

Thursday November 25, 2010

Geoff and I spotted four CANVASBACKS in the Beckstoffer Pond off Old River Road
south of Talmage this noon.  HOODED MERGANSERS continue in the pond as well.

Cheryl Watson
Ukiah, CA

Charlene and I had a great walk along the Big River Estuary on this
beautiful day. We had lots to be thankful for, including 3 Virginia Rails
calling in the marsh south of the road at milepost 2.3 or so, a
Slate-colored Junco at about mile 3 and a Swamp Sparrow in the marsh south
of the road at about milepost 2.5. The Swamp Sparrow was in the marsh where
the trail goes off the main road to the south. I first heard it calling, and
thought it was a Black Phoebe, but when we got down to the marsh, the sound
was coming from the sparrows and we both got a brief but good look at the
unstreaked breast and the brownish cap to a Song Sparrow-sized bird. As
usual for a Swamp Sparrow, it gave us one good look and then never came up
again. Later, on our way back down the road, I heard it again, but it did
not show itself.



Happy Thanksgiving!



Ron

Ron LeValley
Mad River Biologists
Mendocino Office
P.O. Box 332
Little River CA 95456
Office:: 707/937-1742
Cell: 707/496-3326
  <mailto:ron@...> ron@...





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Hi all,



At Little River Headlands today there was one Wandering Tattler. A bit late.



Also at the mouth of the Navarro River with the Buffleheads there were at
least 25 Common Goldeneye.



Best, Ron



For a free natural history Picture of the Day in your e-mail, go to
<http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery/omw.php>
http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery/omw.php

For archives of past Picture of the Days, go to
<http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery> www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery



Ron LeValley Photography
P.O. Box 332

Little River CA 95456

707/937-1742


Mendocino Coast Photographer Guild and Gallery
344 North Main Street
Fort Bragg California USA 95437
Cell: 707/496-3326
Gallery: 707/964-4706

  <mailto:Ron@...> Ron@...





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Sun, 28 Nov 2010 -- Two pair of HARLEQUIN DUCKS are now at Virgin Creek beach
in MacKerricher SP, just north of Fort Bragg off Hwy 1.  The pair at the
reliable, long
rock at the north end of the main beach continue.  Another pair is further
north, alternating
between the last two sandy beaches.  Other birds seen at Virgin Creek beach this

morning were DUNLIN, WHIMBREL, AMERICAN PIPIT, MEW GULL, LINCOLN'S
SPARROW, and others.  Many PACIFIC LOON streamed by fairly close to shore
heading south.

On 22 November, I saw a BONAPARTE'S GULL briefly land near the creek mouth,
then take off and fly south.  I have been going almost daily to check to see if
the
Burrowing Owl that wintered just east of the Haul Rd bridge across Virgin Creek
has returned -- no luck yet.  I'm still hoping.

At the Ten Mile River bridge, I stopped to check.  There were eight DUNLIN along
the south, sandy shoreline. 

Karen Havlena
North of Fort Bragg, MEN, California 




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Over the Thanksgiving holiday I saw some waterfowl that may be of some interest
in the area, as follows:

Gadwall - up to 4 (1 male) at Pudding Creek Lagoon near Hwy 1 bridge 11/25
through 27th when last checked.

Northern Pintail - 3 females in upper Noyo Harbor with Buffleheads and Mallards
on 11/27

Cackling Goose - 11 at Navarro Vineyard pond in Anderson Valley 11/28.  Most
were typical Cacklers with reddish brown chest (as per Sibley), but one had a
white neck ring and another an apparent partial ring.

Greater White-fronted Goose - 1 in immature plumage (no white behind bill), with
Cacklers at Navarro Pond

I had an errand to run in Petaluma today so decided to bird the Ukiah Treatment
Ponds.  I found the Swamp Sparrow (assume same one seen at least twice this
month here) as I walked along the south side of the sludge pond. 


John Luther
Oakland

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November 29, 2010. Lots of waterfoul on Big River esterary today. All the usual
suspects plus a shy pair of American Widgeons skulking on the south side behind
the islands. Common goldeneyes diving with surf scoters and a dozen trolling
buffleheads. Others too common and numerous to mention.

Rick

Hello birders.  This morning I heard some soft chipping in an oak tree on my
parent's property in Potter Valley.  When I got my bins on the bird, it turned
out to be a Black-throated Gray Warbler.  A little while later, I refound that
bird, as well as a second one.  I also got looks at what appeared to be an
intergrade Audubon's X Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warbler.  It had a hint of a
supercillium and a white throat shaped like an Audubon's Warbler.  The call and
the shape of the white in the tail seemed to be intermediate.  I guess it was an
adult female, based on what I could see of the primary coverts, upper tail
coverts, back and tail.

At the Ukiah Sewage Treatment Plant, I couldn't find the Swamp Sparrow, but
there was a female Hooded Merganser.  I also saw an adult Peregrine Falcon and a
Spotted Sandpiper.  Two Virginia Rails and two Soras called from the first
marshy pond.  Along the river I had a 'celata' Orange-crowned Warbler and a
Townsend's Warbler.

At the south end of Lake Mendocino I found 150 or so gulls.  Most were
Californias, including one apparent 'albertensis', but I also had lesser numbers
of Ring-billeds and Glaucous-wingeds, as well as a few Thayer's, Herrings and
some weird hybrids.


Matt Brady
Potter Valley





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