I have been subliminally aware for the last several months that my neighborhood
has been doing without the unpleasant call of the Eurasian Collared Dove.
They have come back in the past few days with perhaps four individuals nearby.
I think they may have displaced/replaced the much more melodious Mourning Doves.

Jim Armstrong
SE Potter Valley

When I was at the Willits WTP a few days ago, I looked very carefully at the
goldeneyes in all three ponds.  Since there were quite a few, I hoped to see
a Barrow's.  Congratulations to George for finding one!!!
 
Karen Havlena
N of Ft Bragg, MEN, CA


________________________________
  From: George Chaniot <chaniot@...>
To: Mendobirds <mendobirds@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 5:11 PM
Subject: [Mendobirds] f Barrow's Goldeneye at WWTP


 

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 -  From about 2:45 to 3:00 this afternoon  I observed a
female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE at the Willits wastewater treatment plant.  It was
in the first (S.) pond mostly in the open water on the E. side.  Also
present were three female, one 1st-year male, and one adult male Common
Goldeneyes.
The bird in question was seen side-by-side with female Common
Goldeneyes, and by comparison its bill was smaller and triangular, the
forehead was much steeper, the head was peaked in the front with a "flat-top
with a ducktail" look.  The bill was mostly dark with a orangish-yellow tip
similar to one of the Common Goldeneye females.  Side-by-side with Common
Goldeneye females its head appeared darker brown, and it was darker gray on
the back and along the waterline.  It spread its wings and flapped once and
spread a wing to the side once - revealing a narrow, white speculum and no
noticeable white on the median coverts (the latter character is not
diagnostic for immature females).
It was a good match for the 1st winter 'male' (mislabled?) on the right
side p47 of Natl Geo #5.  It finally disappeared behind the cattails, and I
could not find it again.

George Chaniot
Potter Valley, MEN, CA




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

For interested parties, there is a Greater Yellow Legs at the Ukiah WWTP. Steve
@ 11:35 am

Tues, Feb 12, 2013

Dear fellow birders,

The Barrow's Goldeneye found by George Chanoit yesterday continues today at the
first (southernmost) pond.  I looked for it last night just before the plant
closed and early this morning (in the fog) when the plant opened with no luck. 
I tried again at lunch (in the sun)and after I made a couple of trips around the
pond, it suddenly appeared and mixed with four other Common Goldeneyes that had
been foraging out in open water.  I noticed immediately the steep forehead and
darker brown (for a female) head.  The bill was almost all orange, except for
the tip, which was dark.  I also noticed that the bill protrudes from the head
more abruptly than that of the Common Goldeneyes and appears smaller too.  I did
not see it spread its wings.  Having said all that, it is easy to overlook and
assume it is a Common Goldeneye, and I have an idea that I may have done so
until now.  Live and learn.

Good birding!
Mike Curry
Willits

12 February 2013 (Tuesday) - Just saw my first Selasphorus Hummingbird
of the season, a male Allen's contesting a feeder among the swarms of
Anna's.

I've noticed a big drop in syrup consumption at the feeders, beginning
about 3 weeks ago.  At the end of last year, and well into January, we
were going through more than 3 quarts of syrup each day; now it is down
to a quart or so per day.  (According to what I've read, 1 qt/d
represents 100 individuals.)    Mostly male Anna's with a few females; I
surmise many of the females are now nesting.

It is officially Spring in Albion!

Tim Bray
Middle Ridge, Albion

The Burrowing Owl continues at Ward Avenue. I was able to get some nice clear
shots of it on the driftwood pile in the usual location this morning :)



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

TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD persisting at a bird feeder 4 miles up Little River Airport
road. Single male only. Look for it in your area.

Fri,  15 Feb 2013 -- The female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was seen again this
morning from about 11:00 to 12:00 at the Willits Wastewater Treatment by Bob
Keiffer, Ryan Keiffer, Chuck Vaughn, Steve Stump, and myself.  It was seen
in the company of three female Common Goldeneyes diving in the open water
along the east side of the first pond you come to (the S. pond).  There were
good views from the car in good light at close range.
      The bad news is that the staff will soon be required to close public
access to these ponds.

George Chaniot
Potter Valley, MEN, CA

Jeannette Knight and I had two light-morph Ferruginous Hawks this morning at the
previously reported site in the field east of Callayomi Road off Butts Canyon
Road north of Middletown. The Burrowing Owls were absent. We had six Lewis's
Woodpeckers at the Detert Reservoir where they have been seen in the trees on
both sides of Butts Canyon Road at the west end of Detert Reservoir.At the
Reservoir we had 52 Canada Geese, 61 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Lesser Scaup, 7 Hooded
Mergansers, 16 Ruddy Ducks, an abundance of Mallards,  and 2 Tree Swallows.

Darlene Hecomovich
Cobb

Hi all....

I've had a really busy week, but on February 11th I was at Glass Beach with some
friends when I managed to capture two photos of what I now believe is a Hutton's
Vireo. Here is the link to the photos:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mendobirds/photos/album/1451582574/pic/list

Please tell me if I am wrong, or if this is, instead, an Empidonax flycatcher?



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

This is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They are very similar to the Hutton's Vireo
but they have very slender bills and pale feet. The black around the wing
bars is different too, but that is not always visible, as in this photo.



Cheers, Ron



Ron LeValley

Little River CA

.



From: Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Lisa Walker (Feather)
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 7:00 PM
To: mendobirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mendobirds] Hutton's Vireo?






Hi all....

I've had a really busy week, but on February 11th I was at Glass Beach with
some friends when I managed to capture two photos of what I now believe is a
Hutton's Vireo. Here is the link to the photos:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mendobirds/photos/album/1451582574/pic/list

Please tell me if I am wrong, or if this is, instead, an Empidonax
flycatcher?

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





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

Thanks, Ron,

Mister Storey has already set me straight. LOL... I feel like an idiot, as I
have photographed a lot of kinglets and should have recognized it. I guess I was
distracted by the visitors I had this week.... :o)

Lisa




--- On Sun, 2/17/13, Ron LeValley <ron@...> wrote:

From: Ron LeValley <ron@...>
Subject: RE: [Mendobirds] Hutton's Vireo?
To: "'Lisa Walker (Feather)'" <feather7023@...>,
mendobirds@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, February 17, 2013, 8:10 PM

This is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They are very similar to the Hutton’s Vireo
but they have very slender bills and pale feet. The black around the wing bars
is different too, but that is not always visible, as in this photo.  Cheers,
Ron  Ron LeValleyLittle River CA.  From: Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Lisa Walker (Feather)
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 7:00 PM
To: mendobirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mendobirds] Hutton's Vireo?   
Hi all....

I've had a really busy week, but on February 11th I was at Glass Beach with some
friends when I managed to capture two photos of what I now believe is a Hutton's
Vireo. Here is the link to the photos:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mendobirds/photos/album/1451582574/pic/list

Please tell me if I am wrong, or if this is, instead, an Empidonax flycatcher?

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

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

16 February 2013 (Saturday) another male Allen's Hummingbird
(orange-rumped variety) showed up in our yard.  (The one I reported on
Tuesday apparently did not stay long, as I never saw it again that day
and did not find any orange hummers until Saturday.)   This bird is
using lookout perches and defending territory, as if it intends to stay
a while.  It has moved around within the yard, but I am pretty sure it's
the same bird today as yesterday.

Still no Rufous.

Cheers,
Tim Bray
Middle Ridge, Albion

17-18 February 2013 - I had been remiss in joining Mendobirds from my home email
... which I have done now.   So you should see more future posts from my home
address.   Yesterday I had an adult, complete with bill turning red, Common
Gallinule on the 2nd pond to the south at the Mendocino College.  There was
nothing on the upper, most northern, barren-edged pond.   I walked the Lake
Mendocino dam and could not find a Rock Sandpiper.   At Lake Mendocino , south
boat ramp/parking lot, there were numerous gulls, mostly California Gulls.
However there were about 5 Ring-billed Gulls (of note: which are difficult to
find on the coast of Mendocino County) and a Mew Gull.    Today, Ryan Keiffer &
I had at least 2 Tricolored Blackbirds at winery ponds west of Rack & Riddle
Winery in Hopland.    Good Birding.   Bob Keiffer   rjkeiffer@... or
rjkeiffer@...

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

I went back to Ward Avenue this morning and the Burrowing Owl continues on the
driftwood pile......



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

Monday, Feb. 18, 2013

Dear Fellow birders:

The female Barrow's Goldeneye was swimming around the first (s) pond this
afternoon with a couple other female Common Goldeneyes.

Other birds of note were a Merlin, a FOS Violet-Green Swallow mixed in with
about 50 Tree Swallows, and a female Hooded Merganser.  The male Eurasian Wigeon
was still barely visible in the distant pond (about 4 or 500 yards north-east of
the northernmost wastewater plant pond). It was mixed in with a group of several
dozen American Wigeon while around 30 loafing Mallards watched from the far
bank.

The status of access to the ponds is still in flux.  Dave Bengston, Jack Booth,
and I were able to sign in this afternoon, but that may change soon.  I'll pass
along anything I learn.

Good Birding!
Mike Curry
Willits

Hi I have a couple birds I need help identifying if anyone can help please. I
posted them in an album called "Backyard birds and more"
Thank You Rhonda Looney

Ok, Thanks for the quiz. My 11 year old Sophia and I are going to give it a try.
Here goes..
520, 522 Hairy Woodpecker, female. Maybe a Downy woodpecker, tough call but
judging by the solid white outer tail feathers we are going with Hairy.
558, Nuttal's Woodpecker, male
590,592 Red-shouldered Hawk
633 American Goldfinch, female
481, Sharp-shinned Hawk, possibly a Coopers Hawk
pic 662 is a toughie, The male finch looks like a possible House finch, but the
female in the foreground looks like a Purple Finch due to the striking white
eyebrow, our final guess is they are a male and female Purple Finch. The
goldfinch are also a little odd. I would say its a male and female Lesser
Goldfinch, Sophia says Lesser GF on the left and a female American Goldfinch on
the right. Split decision.
I hope that helps a bit. I am sure a more experienced mendobirder can help
answer more definitively. Thanks again for the challenge. -Seth and Sophia
LaRosa
--- In Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com, "Rhonda" <looneys@...> wrote:
>
> Hi I have a couple birds I need help identifying if anyone can help please. I
posted them in an album called "Backyard birds and more"
> Thank You Rhonda Looney
>

I think 481 is a  Merlin :)




--- On Mon, 2/18/13, larosaco <larosaco@...> wrote:

From: larosaco <larosaco@...>
Subject: [Mendobirds] Re: Help identify birds
To: Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, February 18, 2013, 9:40 PM
















 









       Ok, Thanks for the quiz. My 11 year old Sophia and I are going to give it
a try. Here goes..

520, 522 Hairy Woodpecker, female. Maybe a Downy woodpecker, tough call but
judging by the solid white outer tail feathers we are going with Hairy.

558, Nuttal's Woodpecker, male

590,592 Red-shouldered Hawk

633 American Goldfinch, female

481, Sharp-shinned Hawk, possibly a Coopers Hawk

pic 662 is a toughie, The male finch looks like a possible House finch, but the
female in the foreground looks like a Purple Finch due to the striking white
eyebrow, our final guess is they are a male and female Purple Finch. The
goldfinch are also a little odd. I would say its a male and female Lesser
Goldfinch, Sophia says Lesser GF on the left and a female American Goldfinch on
the right. Split decision.

I hope that helps a bit. I am sure a more experienced mendobirder can help
answer more definitively. Thanks again for the challenge. -Seth and Sophia
LaRosa

--- In Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com, "Rhonda"  wrote:

>

> Hi I have a couple birds I need help identifying if anyone can help please. I
posted them in an album called "Backyard birds and more"

> Thank You Rhonda Looney

>



























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

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 -- We have a CHIPPING SPARROW visiting the yard to feed with
the sparrows and others.  The Steller's Jay and N Mockingbird are still here,
too.  While
all were having breakfast, a sudden hailstorm pelted them and they had to take
cover.

Karen Havlena
Ocean Meadows/Ten Mile Area
North of Fort Bragg, MEN, California

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

There is a Barrow's Goldeneye along with a Common Goldeneye here at the UWWTP.
Also a Say's Phoebe, 3 Greater White Fronted Geese and a Greater Yellowlegs and
3 Lesser Scaup. Steve

18 February 2013 - Sunday - Ryan Keiffer and I went to look for White-throated
Swifts at Frog Woman Rock ... several miles south of Hopland along Highway 101.
Last year we saw some there in February ...but we did not see any this time.  
However, from the large Highway 101 pullout on the east side of the highway just
east of the Frog Woman Rock (right where the northbound lane is closed down to
one lane), we viewed the Peregrine Falcon pair coming and going from the rock
face.  This is probably one of the most easily viewed Peregrine nest sites in
Mendocino County.   A scope helps, but not necessary, and morning light may help
even though we watched the birds in late afternoon/early evening.

Oh, and sorry for my recent post about not finding Rock Wrens (not Rock
Sandpipers as I mistakenly wrote) on the dam of Lake Mendocino.

Good Birding.  Bob Keiffer

[Toolkit_Email_Sig_WIN]
Robert J. Keiffer - Superintendent
UC ANR, Hopland Research & Extension Center
4070 University Rd.
Hopland, CA 95449
707-744-1424 ext. 112
Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00

Please check out our Website:   http://ucanr.org/sites/hopland/
Also, take a look at our blog (updated daily):
http://ucanr.org/blogs/Hopland/index.cfm



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

Single RED-NECKED GREBE in winter plumage in the cove at MacKerriker Park north
of the parking lot. Nothing terribly noteworthy I suppose, but even though it
was still in winter plumage it was showing definite signs of molting into
breeding plumage. Getting reddish.

20 February 2013 (Wednesday) - On the regular third-Wednesday bird walk at
the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, seven birders tallied 42 species in
spite of the wind and cold.  Best bird was a Nashville Warbler, foraging in
the Grevillea bush near the vegetable gardens; it flew from there into a
nearby flowering cherry tree, and then across the lawn, where we lost it.

Three female/1st year Hooded Mergansers were a nice surprise on the pond
just south of the Gardens.

We also had great looks at two Brown Creepers, and a very brief look at a
Merlin on the wing.  Nice views of several Varied Thrushes and a couple of
bright Townsend's Warblers as well.

Signs of Spring included a Red-Shouldered Hawk carrying nesting material,
and an Acorn Woodpecker peering out of a nest hole.

Tim Bray
Albion


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

I would like to Thank everyone that helped me identify the birds I wasn't sure
of. You are all great! Thanks again Rhonda Looney

Seth and I went to the WWTP this morning and found the female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
(life bird for us both!) along with 2 female COMMON GOLDENEYE in the
southernmost pond.
There were also 15 CINNAMON TEAL.
When we signed in they informed us it was to be our last visit. Apparently too
many people are coming to look at the birds.
We posted a couple pictures on our eBird list. The darker head, and steeper
forehead was apparent when compared alongside the COGO's. We also observed many
(5 or more) VIOLET GREEN SWALLOW'S flying around with dozens of TREE SWALLOWS.

For those of you interested in seeing the Barrow's get over there soon.

Good Birding,
Allison

The last two times I stopped to observe the annual American Dipper nest under
the old Potter Valley Road bridge near Highway 20, it has appeared abandoned.
There is a flap of material hanging over the entrance and a total of 20 minutes
have not turned up any Dipper activity at the nest or along the river.
I hope I am wrong.
If anyone notices resumed activity, please let us know.

Jim Armstrong

Hey Jim and all,

Seth LaRosa and I went under the old Potter Valley bridge this morning and
discovered two American Dippers gathering nesting materials. The birds were
building a nest on the east side of the pillar that the old nest is on. The nest
is about half way built and it is in a perpendicular position just below the
other nest. You must go down on the east side of the bridge to fully see the
nest. Be careful. Steve Stump

Sunday February 24, 2013 - The male Allen's Hummingbird that first
appeared in our yard on the 16th is still there, and now at least three
more have appeared.  Two of the new ones are also male Allen's; I
haven't been able to see the third one clearly enough yet.

Tim Bray
Middle Ridge, Albion

--- In Mendobirds@yahoogroups.com, "jarlyus" <jimarm@...> wrote:
>
> The last two times I stopped to observe the annual American Dipper nest under
the old Potter Valley Road bridge near Highway 20, it has appeared abandoned.
> There is a flap of material hanging over the entrance and a total of 20
minutes have not turned up any Dipper activity at the nest or along the river.
> I hope I am wrong.
> If anyone notices resumed activity, please let us know.
>
> Jim Armstrong
>

Hi Jim,
  Steve Stump and I saw two dippers this morning around 8:30, we saw the first
one within a few minutes of arriving. One had a slightly darker head and seemed
to be a bit bigger. I presume this larger one was the male. The male seemed to
be keeping watch as the female gathered nesting materials, moss and some wet
sticks. She made the point to dunk everything in the water a couple times before
taking it to the nest. After watching them for a few minutes we saw them fly up
under the bridge but not to the nest we were looking at. We were on the west
side of the bridge and once we saw that the birds were not flying to the nest
visible from that vantage point we went over to the east side of the bridge.
Thats when we saw them in the new nest. Literally building it right before our
eyes. Super cool sighting. I took a pic of the nest location which I will post
with an arrow indicating where the nest is. Hope you find them on your next
visit out. -Seth LaRosa