Hello Kern County birders,

My name is Mark Agnor. I am a musician and birder from Chicago.  I am coming to
Bakersfield tomorrow night(12/14) to play my electric violin in the Mannheim
Steamroller Band at the Rabobank Center on Tuesday night(12/15).

I am looking for advice and maybe a guide to help find some target bird species
on Tuesday, December 15. I do not have transportation, and I'm not sure which of
my birds can be found in Kern County at this time, but here is my wish list:

Tricolored Blackbird
"Thick-billed" Fox Sparrow
"Large-billed" Savannah Sparrow
California Thrasher
California Gnatcatcher
Oak Titmouse
White-Headed Woodpecker
Condor
Spotted Dove(I've seen the post referencing Beale Park and Union Cemetery)
Mountain Plover

Any advice in finding any of these species would be much appreciated. I would
gladly provide tickets to the Tuesday night show in exchange for a few hours of
birding companionship.

Thank you very much, and good birding

Mark Agnor
(773) 450-3086

Hi,

Christmas Bird Count season is upon us ... 14 Dec 09 - 5 Jan
10.  Many birders will be gathering data for specific locations which
can/may/should/will be entered into the eBird California database:
http://ebird.org/ebird/ca/

The preceding prompts this email with a list for reference of several
established Kern County eBird Hotspots (Essentially any publicly
accessible location regardless of overall birding quality) for eBird
observations entry for specific locations in CBC circles, for entry
of past Kern County observations (back as many years as one wishes),
and for entry of observations from this day forward. As you may
already know, for those analyzing eBird data, observations lists from
specific locations are most usable/valuable.


BAKERSFIELD
***Bakersfield Sewage Ponds
***Beale Park - Spotted Dove and Rose-ringed Parakeet location.
***Union Cemetery - Spotted Dove location.


BAKERSFIELD - KERN RIVER COUNTY PARK
***Kern River County Park (erroneously labeled Kern River State Park
on eBird maps) - This Bakersfield area hotspot covers the 100s of
acres found along five miles of the Kern River corridor from the
Upper Picnic Area next to Kern River Golf Course above Lake down the
Kern River river including observations made in the California Living
Museum, Hart Park, Kern County Soccer Park, Kern River, Kern River
Campground, Kern River Golf Course, and Lake Ming areas of this park.

***Hart Park (Kern Co.) - This hotspot covers the Hart Park portion
of Kern River County Park.

***Lake Ming - This hotspot covers the Lake Ming portion of Kern
River County Park.


BAKERSFIELD - KERN RIVER PARKWAY
***Kern River Pkwy--Manor St. to Chester Ave. - This hotspots covers
the Kern River corridor portion of the Kern River Parkway between
Manor St. on the east and Chester Ave. on the west.

***Kern River Pkwy--Truxton Lakes - This hotspot covers the Truxton
Lakes area of the Kern River Parkway.

***Kern River Pkwy--Yokuts Park - This hotspot covers the Yokuts park
area of the Kern River Parkway.


EAST KERN DESERTS
***Bird Spring
***Butterbredt Springs
***Cerro Coso Community College - in Ridgecrest
***California City Central Park
***Galileo Hill--Silver Saddle Ranch and Club
***Inyokern--Middlemiss - covers the 10-acre Middlemiss (Le Conte's
Thrasher) property north of Inyokern.
***Jawbone Canyon Rd.
***Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Park - includes the area
encompassing Desert Memorial Park (cemetery), sewer ponds, and Desert
Empire Fairgrounds at the east edge of Ridgecrest.


FORT TEJON STATE HISTORIC PARK
***Fort Tejon SHP


GREENHORN MOUNTAINS
***Greenhorn Mountain County Park
***Greenhorn Mtns.---Sawmill Rd.
***Greenhorn Mtns.--Alta Sierra
***Greenhorn Mtns.-- FS 24S15 (Greenhorn Summit to Tulare Co.)
***Greenhorn Mtns.---Hwy 155 west slope
***Greenhorn Mtns.--Rancheria Rd. (FS 25S15)
***Greenhorn Mtns.--Sunday Peak - trail starts in Tulare Co. then
goes into Kern Co. for Southern California Sooty Grouse searches
***Greenhorn Mtns.--Tiger Flat


JAWBONE CANYON ROAD
***Jawbone Canyon Rd.
***Jawbone Canyon Rd.--Kelso Valley
***Jawbone DWP


KELSO CREEK WATERSHED
***Frog Spring - 14.5 mi. south of Hwy 178 on Kelso Valley Rd., then
east 0.5 mi. on Frog Creek Rd. (SC 47)
***Kelso Creek Rd.
***Kelso Creek Sanctuary - 15 mi. south of Hwy 178
***Kelso Valley Rd.--0.0-0.25 mi S of Hwy 178 - a riparian strip
***Kelso Valley Rd.--Cane Canyon - a dirt spur road into Cane Canyon
***Kelso Valley Rd.--Mile 14.5-18.0 - a Kelso Creek riparian strip
***Kelso Valley Rd.--Rocky Point - 7-8 mi. south of Hwy 178.
***Kelso Valley Rd.--Tunnel Spring - 18 mi. south if Hwy. 178.
***Kern Valley Vulture Watch Site


KERN RIVER CANYON
***USFS--Delonegha Day Use Area


KERN RIVER VALLEY - CHIMNEY PEAK ROAD
***Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway (Kern Co.) - covers byway
from its start at Hwy 178, north about 6 miles to the top of the pass
at the Lamont Peak trailhead at the Kern County/Tulare County line.


KERN RIVER VALLEY - KERN RIVER PRESERVE
***Kern River Preserve - This hotspot covers the entire Kern River
Preserve including those portions not accessible or easily accessible
to the general public.

***Kern River Preserve--Fay Ranch Rd. - This hotspot covers Fay Ranch
Rd. from CA Hwy 178 north about 2 miles to the end of the flat,
straight, portion of the road.

***Kern River Preserve--Headquarters - This hotspot covers everything
most logically accessed on foot from the Headquarters parking
area...the entrance road from CA Hwy 178 north to Headquarters, the
Headquarters yard, the Nature Trail, and the ranch road running west
from the Headquarters parking area.

***Kern River Preserve--Migrant Corner Trail - This hotspot covers
the Migrant Corner Trail from its start on the northeast side of the
Sierra Way bridge over the South Fork Kern River east about 1 air
mile to the end of the meadow at the riparian forest running north
from the main forest to the hillside. This location includes the
hillside above the trail and the entire semicircular bowl form by the
hills around the north side of the meadow.

***Kern River Preserve--Sierra Way - This hotspot covers Sierra Way
from CA Hwy. 178 north then west for 1.7 miles to the fence line
separating the Kern River Preserve on the east from the South Fork
Wildlife Area (Sequoia National Forest) on the west. There is a large
pullout on the right at about 1.6 miles. The wooden fence line is
found coming down the rocky hillside around the corner west from the
pullout. At this point, this hotspot includes Prince's Pond.


KERN RIVER VALLEY - KERNVILLE
***Kern River--north fork (Kern Co.)
***Kernville--business and residential areas
***Kernville--Whiskey Flat Trail
***Sierra Way--Kern Co./Tulare Co. Line - site to try for Kern Co. Black Swift


KERN RIVER VALLEY - KEYESVILLE
***Keyesville--Slippery Rock Launch Site


KERN RIVER VALLEY - LAKE ISABELLA (COMMUNITY AREA)
***Bob Powers Gateway Preserve
***Kern Valley Plaza


KERN RIVER VALLEY - LAKE ISABELLA (RESERVOIR AREA)
***Lake Isabella - covers the entire reservoir
***Lake Isabella--Engineer Pt.
***Lake Isabella--French Gulch Marina
***Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove
***Lake Isabella--Main Dam Campground
***Lake Isabella--Main Dam Overlook
***Lake Isabella--North Fork - covers the entire north arm of the reservoir
***Lake Isabella--Pioneer Point Campground
***Lake Isabella--South Fork Recreation Area
***Lake Isabella--Tillie Creek Campground


KERN RIVER VALLEY - SOUTH FORK VALLEY
***Canebrake Ecological Reserve
***Cliffs east of Cottage Grove Cemetery
***Scodie Park
***South Fork Valley--Fay Ranch Rd. (upper) - 2.0 miles north to end.
***South Fork Valley--Onyx
***South Fork Valley--Paul's Place - 0.75 mile long Paul's Place and
corresponding section of CA Hwy. 178.


KERN RIVER VALLEY - SOUTH FORK WILDLIFE AREA (Sequoia National Forest)
***South Fork Wildlife Area--Hanning Flat - off Sierra Way, 2.9 mi.
from Hwy 178.
***South Fork Wildlife Area--KOA Access - walk through gate access
off the north side Hwy 178, 1.2 miles west of Sierra Way.
***South Fork Wildlife Area--north - Watchable Wildlife Area off the
south side of Sierra Way, 2.1 miles north and west off Hwy 178.
***South Fork Wildlife Area--south - Watchable Wildlife Area off
north side of Hwy 178, 1.8 miles west of Sierra Way


PIUTE MOUNTAINS
***Piute Mountain Rd.--east - east of Landers Meadow
***Piute Mtn Rd.--Landers Meadow


SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY FLOOR
***Buena Vista Recreation Area - This hotspot covers Kern County's
Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation area between Bakersfield and Taft and
west of Interstate 5. It incudes 998-acre Lake Webb and 86-acre Lake Evans

***Kern NWR - This hotspot covers the 10,000+ acre Kern National
Wildlife Refuge located 19 miles west of Delano.

***Tule Elk State Reserve - This hotspot covers the Tule Elk State
Reserve near Tupman and west of I-5.


TEHACHAPI
***Brite Lake
***Tehachapi Mountain Park
***Tehachapi Sewage Ponds
***Tehachapi Willow Springs Rd.--riparian


WALKER PASS
***Walker Pass--Pacific Crest Trail-south
***Walker Pass East--81.5 - Joshua tree woodland at Hwy 178 mile 81.50.
***Walker Pass West--72.85 - a riparian strip
***Walker Pass West--74.00 (Bert's Park) - mixed habitats at Hwy 178
mile 74.00.
***Walker's Pass


Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County

This morning I had 52 Mountain Plovers in a field on the north side of Garces
Hwy. just outside the entrance to the Kern National Wildlife Refuge.

also there were 20 Mountain Plovers in a field on the west side of 6th Ave. 1
miles north of the Kern/Kings Co. Line (Kings Co.)

Gary File
Bakersfield

Hello, birders.  There is this partial-albino American Coot at Lake Ming, right
now.  The strangest looking thing.  And there's been a Ruddy Duck with a white
head, at the sewer ponds for months.
Michael McQuerrey
Bakersfield

Birders:
The Fall Season (1 August - 30 November) has ended, and it is time to compile a
report detailing the significant sightings that took place in Kern County. 
Please forward to me all reports of interest including unusual species,
late/early migrant dates, out of season records, high numbers, notable absences
etc….
Please include descriptions, photographs, recordings, sketches, etc. to support
your claims and add to the value of your finds.
Please submit these reports no later than December 10th.
Thanks for your help in this, and I look forward to receiving your reports.
Kelli H. Levinson
KKHeindel@...

Location:     Lake Isabella
Observation date:     11/30/09
Locations:     Kissack Cove (8:20am-9:50am), Paradise Cove
(9:50am-10am), South Fork Marina (10am-10:40am), Engineer Point
(10:45am-11:50am), Hwy 155 at Main Dam pull-out (12pm-12:05pm),
French Gulch Marina (12:10pm-12:15pm), North Fork Marina
(12:25pm-12:50pm). Reservoir was counted in sectors to avoid count duplication.
NOTE: Another day with outstanding birding conditions ... clear,
bright, smooth water. However, unsuccessful in search for hoped-for
species from among scoters, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser,
Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, and rarer
gulls. Still, numbers of Common Mergansers (450), Eared Grebe (1625),
Western/Clark's Grebes (2635), Double-crested Cormorant (392), plus 5
Ospreys and an adult Bald Eagle.
Number of species:     38
Gadwall     40
American Wigeon     30
Mallard     130
Green-winged Teal     45
Bufflehead     12
Common Merganser     450
Pied-billed Grebe     3
Eared Grebe     1625
Western Grebe     10
Clark's Grebe     5
Western/Clark's Grebe     2620
American White Pelican     53
Double-crested Cormorant     392
Great Blue Heron     17
Osprey     5
Bald Eagle     1  adult   Delta in the North Fork...
American Coot     85
Killdeer     11
Least Sandpiper     82
Long-billed Dowitcher     1
Ring-billed Gull     16
California Gull     330
Herring Gull     1     1st cycle...at Kissack Cove...
gull sp.     150
Say's Phoebe     2
Western Scrub-Jay     1
Common Raven     24
Horned Lark     4
Rock Wren     1
Bewick's Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
European Starling     1
American Pipit     1
Phainopepla     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler     1
Savannah Sparrow     2
White-crowned Sparrow     10
Western Meadowlark     15
Brewer's Blackbird     117
House Finch     12

The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA


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

27 Nov 09: Kern River Valley (CA Hwy. 178 through the South Fork Kern
River Valley IBA, Slippery Rock Launch Site, Tillie Creek Campground,
Isabella Reservoir's North Fork, FS 24S15 (Greenhorn Summit n. to
Kern Co./Tulare Co. line), Isabella Reservoir's Engineer Point,
Isabella Reservoir's Kissack Cove, and South Fork Valley's Paul's Place)...

HIGHLIGHTS: Common Merganser (162), Eared Grebe (111), American White
Pelican (56), Double-crested Cormorant (307), Osprey (6), Ferruginous
Hawk (1), Peregrine Falcon (1), Greater Roadrunner (1), Red-naped
Sapsucker (3), White-headed Woodpecker (1), Canyon Wren (1),
Townsend's Solitaire (2), Phainopepla (19), Bobcat (1).

eBird details for South Fork Valley, Slippery Rock Launch Site,
Tillie Creek Campground, Greenhorn Mountains, and Isabella Reservoir
follow now...

Location:     South Fork Kern River Valley--IBA
Observation date:     11/27/09
Notes:     Raptors observed on telephone poles and wires along CA Hwy
178 from mile marker 62.50 in Onyx to mile marker 53.00 in South Lake.
Number of species:     3
     * Red-tailed Hawk     7
     * Ferruginous Hawk     1     Light phase individual...
     * American Kestrel     1
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Keyesville--Slippery Rock Launch Site
Observation date:     11/27/09
Number of species:     5
     * California Quail     1
     * Western Scrub-Jay     1
     * Canyon Wren     1
     * American Dipper     1
     * House Finch     2
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Wofford Heights--Tillie Creek Campground
Observation date:     11/27/09
Notes:     7:25am-9:25am. 36F-48.3F, 43%-21.4%, 0-0 kph wind.
Observers: Bob Barnes, John Schmitt, Mark Schmitt. Mammal: Bobcat 1.
Number of species:     28
     * California Quail     25
     * Red-tailed Hawk     1
     * Acorn Woodpecker     15
     * Red-naped Sapsucker     3     An adult male was photographed by
Mark Schmitt.
     * Nuttall's Woodpecker     3
     * Northern Flicker     1
     * Loggerhead Shrike     2
     * Western Scrub-Jay     26
     * Common Raven     6
     * Oak Titmouse     8
     * Bushtit     6
     * White-breasted Nuthatch     2
     * Bewick's Wren     1
     * Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
     * Western Bluebird     9
     * Northern Mockingbird     4
     * California Thrasher     1
     * European Starling     2
     * Phainopepla     19
     * Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     4
     * Spotted Towhee     9
     * California Towhee     4
     * White-crowned Sparrow     27
     * Golden-crowned Sparrow     1
     * Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     11
     * Purple Finch    6
     * House Finch     22
     * House Sparrow     3
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Lake Isabella--North Fork
Observation date:     11/27/09
Notes:     9:35am-9:55am.
Number of species:     11
     * California Quail     1
     * Double-crested Cormorant     41
     * Great Blue Heron     4
     * Osprey     2
     * Peregrine Falcon     1
     * Belted Kingfisher     1
     * Say's Phoebe     1
     * Western Scrub-Jay     1
     * Common Raven     4
     * White-crowned Sparrow     4
     * House Sparrow     1
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Greenhorn Mountains--FS 24S15 (Greenhorn Summit to Tulare Co)
Observation date:     11/27/09
Notes:     10:25am-11:35am. 52F, 23% humidity at start.
Number of species:     7
     * White-headed Woodpecker     1
     * Steller's Jay     3
     * Mountain Chickadee     9
     * Red-breasted Nuthatch     3
     * White-breasted Nuthatch     1
     * Townsend's Solitaire     2     One of these two individuals was singing.
     * American Robin     1
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Lake Isabella--Engineer Pt.
Observation date:     11/27/09
Notes:     12:20pm-1pm. Individuals different than those in North
Fork or at Kissack Cove.
Number of species:     13
     * Mallard     9
     * Common Merganser     162     Only three of the 162 individuals
were in adult male plumage.
     * Eared Grebe     111     Two separate flocks (72 and 39 individuals)
     * Western Grebe     3
     * American White Pelican     1
     * Double-crested Cormorant     88
     * Great Blue Heron     2
     * Osprey     2
     * American Coot     7
     * California Gull     10
     * Greater Roadrunner     1
     * Common Raven     8
     * House Finch     2
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     11/27/09
Notes:     1:10pm-1:45pm.
Number of species:     11
     * Canada Goose     6     On gravel bar with pelicans...
     * Gadwall     6     On small pond formed by lowered reservoir level.
     * Mallard     10     On small pond formed by lowered reservoir level.
     * American White Pelican     55     On gravel bar on current east
end of reservoir at Kissack Cove.
     * Double-crested Cormorant     178     Most in water; several
more on snags sticking up out of reservoir
     * Osprey     2     Six individuals on the reservoir (2 at North
Fork, 2 off Engineer's Point, 2 at Kissack Cove.).
     * Killdeer     4     All at east end of reservoir.
     * Ring-billed Gull     10
     * California Gull     200
     * gull sp.     290     Gull numbers continue to build. Over 500
present this day.
     * Common Raven     10
     * Horned Lark     40
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Bob Barnes
Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA
P: 760-382-1260



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

A single male Hooded Merganser was at Hart Park lake yesterday, Thurs. Nov.
26th, 2:00pm, in the area near the tall eucalyptus heron rookery, along with 6
Wood Ducks.

Madi Elsea

Vernon and Winona Howe and I looked for the California City BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER
much of the morning; we were joined by Jim and Liz from the Central Valley. 
Despite much looking between 8am and 1:30pm, we were unable to locate the bird. 
It may still be present, but if so has certainly changed its habits.

The TUNDRA SWAN, two ROSS' GEESE, and two CANADA/CACKLING GEESE continue at
Central Park; a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER (possibly with a few RED-NAPED genes) and
a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH were also noted.  A check of a nearby site to the
northeast produced a RED-BREASTED x RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, two SLATE-COLORED
JUNCOS, and rapidly dying grass.

Apparently, this is a big weekend for off-roaders, as evidenced by the several
hundred cars and RVs backed up half a mile waiting to buy a permit to drive out
toward Silver Saddle and create new roads through the desert.  If you decide to
visit this part of the county on the weekend, expect throngs of people.

Andrew Howe
Riverside, CA
howe395@...

25 Nov 09: Kern River Valley (Canebrake Ecological Reserve, first 1.4
mi. of Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway, Cliff east from
Onyx's Cottage Grove Cemetery, Isabella Reservoir's Kissack Cove,
South Fork Valley's Paul's Place.) ... another day in birding
paradise (one of California's many!) ... cool, clear, abundant
sunshine, no wind.

HIGHLIGHTS: Wood Duck (1), American White Pelican (55),
Double-crested Cormorant (152), Osprey (2), Virginia Rail (6), Sora
(1), Herring Gull (1 - first cycle), Greater Roadrunner (1),
Long-eared Owl (1), Cactus Wren (4), Canyon Wren (1), Mountain
Bluebird (17 - 6f, 11m), Black-throated Sparrow (1), Tricolored
Blackbird (500),...

eBird details for Canebrake, Chimney Peak Byway, Kissack Cove, and
Paul's Place follow now...

Location:     South Fork Valley--Canebrake Ecological Reserve
Observation date:     11/25/09
Notes:     6am-8:50am. 29.2F-51.1F; 52%-33% humidity; 0-0 kph wind;
clear, sunny (after 7:15am), cloudless skies. Observer: Bob Barnes,
Ridgecrest, Kern Co., CA.
Number of species:     46 (in 2 hrs. 50 min.) vs. up to a maximum of
67 species during past Christmas Bird Counts (8-10 hrs. on field effort).
     * Wood Duck     1
     * Gadwall     2     Paired up...
     * American Wigeon     8     Single small flock...
     * Green-winged Teal     8     Single small flock...
     * California Quail     12
     * Sharp-shinned Hawk     1     Appeared to be a male...
     * Red-shouldered Hawk     1     An adult...
     * Red-tailed Hawk     1
     * Virginia Rail     6
     * Sora     1
     * American Coot     6
     * Long-eared Owl     1     In riparian zone between Public Access
Trail and pond & marsh...
     * Nuttall's Woodpecker     4
     * Hairy Woodpecker     1
     * Northern Flicker     2
     * Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)     1
     * Black Phoebe     1
     * Say's Phoebe     1
     * Loggerhead Shrike     1
     * Western Scrub-Jay     8
     * Common Raven     6
     * Oak Titmouse     2
     * Bushtit     15     Single flock in Joshua tree woodland next to
parking area.
     * White-breasted Nuthatch     1
     * Rock Wren     2
     * Canyon Wren     1     Singing from rocky hillside just east and
across Hwy 178 from reserve entrance
     * Bewick's Wren     3
     * Marsh Wren     2
     * Ruby-crowned Kinglet     4
     * Western Bluebird     10     Includes single flock of nine plus
a separate adult male...
     * Hermit Thrush     1     Along portion of Public Access Trail
through closed canopy riparian zone...
     * American Robin     2
     * Wrentit     1
     * European Starling     18
     * Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     2
     * Spotted Towhee     1
     * California Towhee     5
     * Song Sparrow     9
     * Lincoln's Sparrow     1
     * White-crowned Sparrow     115     100 of these were in a single
flock along the drier portion of the Public Access Trail...
     * Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     9
     * Red-winged Blackbird     100     Foraging among cattle in
pasture on Reserve...
     * Tricolored Blackbird     500     Foraging among cattle in same
pasture...
     * Western Meadowlark     8     Foraging among cattle in same pasture...
     * Brewer's Blackbird     200     Foraging among cattle in same pasture...
     * House Finch     15
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway--Kern Co.
Observation date:     11/25/09
Notes:     8:55am-9:20am. Observer: Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern Co.,
CA. Only two species observed during twenty-five minutes spent on the
Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway.
Number of species:     2
     * Cactus Wren     4     Two on each side of Chimney Peak National
Back Country Byway in Joshua tree woodland 1.4 mi. up the Byway from
CA Hwy 178. Observed at 9:15am
     * Black-throated Sparrow     1     This adult was the first found
in November 2009. This individual was found about 1.0 mi, up the
Byway from CA Hwy 178. Observed at 9:05am.
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     11/25/09
Notes:     10am-11:10am. Observer: Bob Barnes.
Number of species:     24
     * Gadwall     74     72 together in pond formed by low reservoir level.
     * American Wigeon     20     Al in shallow pond formed by low
reservoir level.
     * Mallard     1     In shallow pond formed by low reservoir level.
     * Northern Shoveler     4     On main reservoir.
     * Green-winged Teal     12     On shallow pond formed by low
reservoir level...
     * Bufflehead     8     On main reservoir surface.
     * Common Merganser     51     On main reservoir surface.
     * Western/Clark's Grebe     300     On main reservoir surface.
Too far away to hear or visually identify to species...
     * American White Pelican     55     Single flock on sandbar at
edge of main reservoir...
     * Double-crested Cormorant     152     Perched on exposed snags
in low reservoir zone...
     * Great Blue Heron     1
     * Osprey     2     On snags sticking up from low reservoir...
     * American Kestrel     1
     * American Coot     40     On main reservoir surface...
     * Killdeer     6
     * Long-billed Dowitcher     1     Feeding at edge of shallow pond
formed by low reservoir.
     * Ring-billed Gull     10
     * California Gull     100
     * Herring Gull     1     First cycle.
     * gull sp.     200
     * Greater Roadrunner     1
     * Say's Phoebe     1
     * Common Raven     6
     * Horned Lark     4
     * American Pipit     6
     * House Finch     14
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Location:     South Fork Valley--Paul's Place
Observation date:     11/25/09
Notes:     12:05pm-12:15pm. Observer: Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, CA.
Number of species:     4
     * American Kestrel     1
     * Black Phoebe     1
     * Common Raven     1
     * Mountain Bluebird     17     In crescent-shaped pasture framed
by CA Hwy 178 and Paul's Place on the south side of CA Hwy 178
between mile markers 56.00 and 57.00 (between Sierra Way and the Kern
River Preserve Headquarters entrance road).
The above report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)


Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern Co., CA

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

We saw the Blackburnian Warbler in the previously reported area near the
ramshackle community center at about 10:30 this morning (Monday). The Tundra
Swan and two Ross' Geese were with some feral geese in the pond nearest thr golf
course parking area.

Dave Chadsey
Rancho Cucamonga

A couple of more details about the Blackburnian Warbler at California City
Central Park on Sunday (11/22/09).  I got there at 11:25am and found the bird in
about two minutes.  I then sat on the steps at the rear of the abandoned
Community Center and graded calculus tests.  For the next two hours the bird was
very predictable.  Eleven times it came by me always foraging generally in a
counter-clockwise direction.  It consistently came within five or six feet of
me.  It seemed completely unconcerned with me and would not spook even when I
turned pages on the tests.  One time it came up on the steps within two feet of
me and worked over a bunch of weeds that were laying on the step.  During these
two hours it was always on the ground or on debris on the ground.

About 1:30pm it came by clockwise and would go up into the weeds, sometimes two
or three feet off of the ground.  This was when John Luther arrived.  It worked
more in one general area and further off of the ground than earlier until Tom
and Liga arrived.  It then took off as described in Tom and Liga's post.

What a wonderful setting for grading tests--sitting in the warm sun watching an
industrious Blackburnian Warbler and Hooded Mergansers.

Good luck and good birding,

--Vernon

Vernon Howe
Riverside, CA

Vern Howe and John Luther directed us to the Blackburnian Warbler when we
arrived at Central Park near 2PM today. It was foraging on the ground and in low
bushes at the edge of the lake as previously described.  However, it does fly to
other areas in the park.  Fifteen minutes after we arrived it flew across the
"inlet" to the cottonwoods on the "point" due east of the pool. Later, we
refound it working small trees in the main parking lot, then watched it fly to
the main area of the park.

We also saw five Hooded Mergansers (1 ad male, 3 females, and 1 imm male) diving
across the lake (inital report by Vern Howe).

Tom Wurster and Liga Auzins

The bird was easy to find and quite cooperative.  In fact, it was very oblivious
to human presence.
Brad Singer
photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcsinger/4125947922/

The Blackburnian Warbler was still present today behind the community center at
the lake in California City Central Park.
Howard King

At 7:15 this morning, the Blackburnian Warbler at Californian City-Central Park
continues foraging directly behind the community center along the waters edge.
Gary File
Bakersfield

This afternoon Lauren Harter and I stopped at the Kern NWR on the auto tour loop
at parking lot #2 we had a female MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.  Hadn't seen any reports of
any movements of them in this part of the Central Valley yet this year.  Good
Birding.

David Vander Pluym
Ventura, Ca


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

Hi,

Curtis Marantz sent me an email asking me to pass on word that Jon
Dunn called him today to say that he saw the California City Central
Park Blackburnian Warbler mid-day today (Thursday) in the same place
were it had been seen earlier (in weeds at edge of lake near the
community center).

Curtis also mentioned that he did not see the Ancient Murrelet at the
Salton Sea this morning.

For Curtis Marantz and Jon Dunn,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County

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

Hi,

You may have already discovered this ... but, try this...

Go to:
http://ebird.org/content/ca/

Then click on the Kern link under the "Most Checklists Submitted for
Current Month" heading.

Then click on the "Nov" link at the top of the columns.

Then click on the "Greater White-fronted Goose" link at the top of
the species list.

Then click on the yellow map pin at Lake Isabella to see the...
Location: Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove, Kern, US-CA
Date: 11/14/09
#: 1
Observer: Alison Sheehey
of Alison's Greater White-fronted Goose observation this past
Saturday, November 14th.

One can do this with any species, any month, or any year back to
1900! To do so, explore the "Change Date" link next to the "Date
Range" heading at the top of the page.

Cool stuff! And just the tip of the iceberg!!!

By the way, the notes when I submit data to eBird are often much more
extensive than on the publicly available information. But, I can find
all of my notes when I look up any one of my lists using the "Manage
My Observations." "Manage My Observations" is also where I go to fix
my mistakes when I come across them ... wrong year, addition of a
forgotten species, addition of information to my notes, etc., etc.,
etc. Of course, one has to register to enter personal data onto eBird
in order to "Manage My Observations." But, there is no charge to play!

Continued Happy & Productive Birding,

Bob




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

Hi,

The Blackburnian Warbler first found by Nevada birder Greg Scyphers
at California City's Central Park was found later yesterday (Monday
afternoon) by Martin Meyers of Truckee.
Here is Martin's update:

>From: martin@...
>To: "Bob Barnes" <bbarnes@...>
>Subject: RE: Blackburnian Warbler at Cal City
>Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:09:12 -0700
>
>Yup-- got to see it (watched it for about an hour) and got great photos.
>  The bird fed aggressively and continuously, appearing to be eating weed
>seeds and sometimes behaving more like a goldfinch than a warbler.  It
>was totally oblivious to me, to others walking by, to noise, etc.  I
>expect it is not doing well (although it could fly okay and didn't
>really look like it was starving.)  It never left the section
>immediately behind the community center and only once flew up into a
>tree.
>
>Martin Meyers

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County



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

Dear friends out west,

During past sojourns to Kern for the Spring Nature Fest, I've been mildly
amused by the excitement generated there by some common eastern species that
frequent my feeder.

Turnabout time! The first ever Rockland County NY record of a Western Grebe
was documented this past week, generating what can best be described as mild
euphoria. After hanging out at the Piermont Pier, which is located on the
Hudson about 30 minutes north of NYC, the boid moved on southward and was
last spotted in Raritan New Joisey.

Best regards, and looking forward to another Kern Nature Fest,

John Lampkin


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

Hi,

Species lists follow below.

A spectacular day to go birding with clear, bright, blue skies and
excellent light conditions. Alison Sheehey kindly related the
presence of three RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (2 females and what appeared
to me to be a 1st winter male) separate from, then near six female
Common Mergansers in Kissack Cove. Nine duck species in relatively
close quarters ... which is excellent at this stage of the life of
Isabella Reservoir. Also, BONAPARTE'S GULL.

ENGINEER POINT was the next stop. This point is located between the
two dams (Main Dam, Auxiliary Dam) and sticks out into the reservoir
for about a mile. It is accessible by high clearance vehicle to the
end. I got my Toyota Corolla pretty close to the end. I mention
Engineer Point as it is a great spot for scoping all but the entire
reservoir additionally making it a great place to get oriented,
especially if you have never birded Isabella Lake before. When loons
are present (not found this morning), Engineer Point is often a site
from which they may be found (NOTE: If one is an active California
county birder, Isabella Reservoir will surely be a destination to
visit to add species to one's Kern County list.). Light this morning
was excellent for viewing by 9am. 2000 WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBES
estimated; 266 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS counted.

A brief stop at BLM's Slippery Rock Launch Site (across the
street/Hwy. 155 from Main Dam Campground) produced two AMERICAN
DIPPERS and  a CANYON WREN.

About 0.7 miles up Sawmill Road off Hwy. 155 is an excellent
Rufous-crowned Sparrow site referred to me by John Schmitt late last
spring. It is a great site because it is close at hand ... being just
off Hwy. 155 between the communities of Lake Isabella and Wofford
Heights. Two RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS were observed there this morning.

The final birding site of the morning was Isabella Reservoir's north
fork. No Bald Eagles yet. 750 WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBES counted.

Location:     Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     7:20am-8:35am - Beautiful, crisp, clear fall day with
outstanding light conditions.
Number of species:     28
Gadwall     25
American Wigeon     25 (9 adult males)
Green-winged Teal (American)     10     Apparently five pairs.
Redhead     2 adult males
Lesser Scaup     1     Strikingly smaller than accompanying Redheads
Bufflehead     1 (female)
Common Goldeneye     2 (a pair)
Common Merganser     6 (female plumage)
Red-breasted Merganser     3     First one individual found by
itself. It swam and joined two others. They swam close to six
female-plumaged Common Merganser for comparison. Vs. the six Common
Mergansers all three Red-breasted Mergansers were smaller, had
lighter, rust colored heads (vs. intense in Common's), duller-colored
bills, shaggier crests in back (which also never "sat down" like in
Common Mergansers), no clean cut between rusty color of head and
white on chest, more grayish white vs clean white in Common Mergs,
overall were "messier," less crisply marked. One individual was
thought to be a fist winter male due to its particular "messiness"
look and the fact that the chest had a stippled look to it that
suggested a "shadow" of the red breast of an adult male Red-breasted Merganser.
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Eared Grebe     1
Western/Clark's Grebe     136 (too far away to hear or visually
determine to species)
American White Pelican     5
Double-crested Cormorant     10
Great Blue Heron     1
Osprey     2
American Kestrel     1
American Coot     105
Killdeer     1
Bonaparte's Gull     1
Ring-billed Gull     6
California Gull     55
gull sp.     95     Too far away on a sandbar for me to pin down.
Loggerhead Shrike     1
Common Raven     3
Horned Lark     22
Rock Wren     3     Together.
American Pipit     61
House Finch     6
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Lake Isabella--Engineer Pt.
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     8:55am-10:25am - Spectacular day ... clear, sunny,
outstanding light conditions. Best location to get oriented to all
but the entire reservoir.
Number of species:     11
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Eared Grebe     65
Western/Clark's Grebe     2000
American White Pelican     26
Double-crested Cormorant     266     Perched on snags off Engineer Point.
Great Blue Heron     4
American Coot     6
gull sp.     100
Common Raven     4
Horned Lark     3
Rock Wren     2
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Lake Isabella--North Fork
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     11:40am-12:00pm - Special morning ... clear, sunny,
bright, excellent sun aspect. No Bald Eagles yet!
Number of species:     8
Western/Clark's Grebe     750
American White Pelican     1
Double-crested Cormorant     16
Great Blue Heron     2
American Coot     1
gull sp.     50
Common Raven     4
Rock Wren     1
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Keyesville--Slippery Rock Launch Site
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     10:25am-10:35am.
Number of species:     8
Black Phoebe     1
Western Scrub-Jay     1
Common Raven     1
Canyon Wren     1
American Dipper     2     Both in view simultaneously about 200'
apart on small rocks forming riffles in Kern River.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     1
California Towhee     3
White-crowned Sparrow     4
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Greenhorn Mtns.---Sawmill Rd.
Observation date:     11/16/09
Notes:     11:10am-11:35am - First 0.7 miles of Sawmill Road.
Dominated by gray pine except for steeper, rocky hillsides which
provide excellent Rufous-crowned Sparrow habitat.
Number of species:     6
Western Scrub-Jay     5
Common Raven     2
Western Bluebird     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow     2
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     3
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)



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

All,

  From Martin Meyers.

FYI: Greg Scyphers is recognized as a top-notch and careful Nevada
birder. Besides, he told Martin he got great photos for reviewers.

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, CA

>From: martin@...
>To: "Bob Barnes" <bbarnes@...>
>Subject: Blackburnian Warbler at Cal City. (I don't have Kern list posting
>  privileges)
>Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:28:09 -0700
>
>Hi, Bob,
>Greg Scyphers just called me from California City. He's on his way home
>to Reno.
>He found a female/immature type Blackburnian Warbler feeding on the
>ground right behind the community center in the city park. (There's a
>little strip of land between the community center and the lake, and it
>was walking around there.)  He says he got great photos.
>
>I'm just now leaving L.A. on my way home, and am going to go that
>direction to see if I can find it, too.
>
>I thought it might be worth posting on the Kern list -- if you agree,
>could you post it for me (actually, for Greg).
>
>Martin
>
>---------------
>  Martin Meyers
>  email: Martin  (...AT...) SierraBirdbum.com
>  Photo website: http://SierraBirdbum.com
>  Truckee, CA


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

Bob Barnes reports 3 Red-breasted Mergansers at the west end of Kissack
Bay. Also, American Wigeon, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common
Merganser.

If you need the mergansers they are there now.

Ali

Hi,

Alison Sheehey is currently leading a Kerncrest Audubon Society field
trip to many locations in the Kern River Valley. She has called me
twice today with reports of nice finds. I a hopeful she will pass
those sightings on to you after her field trip concludes.

Following are some updates on species in the area followed by more
complete eBird reports:

11/14/09 - Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Site (Desert Memorial Park
portion of this eBid "hotspot.") . No true rarities. But, a nice
selection of species for this specific site. HIGHLIGHTS: PRAIRIE
FALCON 1, LONG-EARED OWL 2, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER 1, RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH 1, ROCK WREN 1, BEWICK's WREN 1.

11/13/09 - Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway (lower 4 miles of
Kern Co. portion) hosted a nice, if not rare, mix of western species
including CALIFORNIA QUAIL, ACORN WOODPECKER, NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER,
WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, CACTUS WREN, ROCK WREN, OAK TTITMOUSE, WRENTIT,
CALIFORNIA THRASHER, SPOTTED TOWHEE, and CALIFORNIA TOWHEE in
relatively close proximity to each other.

11/13/09 - Scodie County Park in Onyx had one RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER.
ZERO RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERS, WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKERS, and WHITE-HEADED
WOODPECKERS reported from this small, two-acre park as yet this "winter."

11/13/09 - Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove provided an OSPREY, 100s of
WESTERN GREBES and CLARK'S GREBES, four AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, plus
an adult PEREGRINE FALCON.

11/8/09 - Kern River Preserve--Sierra Way provided a FIRST RECORD of
EARED GREBE for the Kern River Preserve (in 30 years of literally
100s of birders birding there). A lone individual was at Prince's
Pond. Other highlights included: WHITE-TILED KITE 1, VIRGINIA RAIL 3,
and SORA 2.

11/5/09 - California City's Central Park - TUNDRA SWAN back at the
main park lake, ROSS'S GOOSE there as usual.

11/4/09 - Sequoia National Forest's Tillie Creek Campground in
Wofford Heights ... John Schmitt has counted up to SEVENTY
PHAINOPEPLAS on active mornings. There were 10-15 counted on a recent
slow morning (11/4/09). John also has RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER and
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER wintering territories staked out at the
campground. Both were observed on 11/4/09. Numerous PURPLE FINCHES
were observed this date also as were at least two MERLINS. Purple
Finches winter at this campground virtually annually.

Location:     Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Park
Observation date:     11/14/09
Notes:     10:40am-11:10am observations at the ponds portion of the
Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Area.
Number of species:     17
Mallard     6     Three pairs.
Northern Shoveler     1
Ruddy Duck     6
Sharp-shinned Hawk     1     May be same individual as the one found
at the cemetery earlier in the morning.
American Coot     6
Rock Pigeon     7
Black Phoebe     1
Say's Phoebe     1
Common Raven     3
Horned Lark     61
Marsh Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
European Starling     9
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     15
Sage Sparrow (Interior)     1
Song Sparrow     2
White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's)     3     Two adults, one immature.
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Location:     Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife Park
Observation date:     11/14/09
Notes:     9:30am-10:40am observations made at the 10 acre Desert
Memorial Park (cemetery) portion of the Ridgecrest Watchable Wildlife
Area eBird "hotpsot" location.
Number of species:     15
Sharp-shinned Hawk     1
Prairie Falcon     1
Rock Pigeon     36
Long-eared Owl     2
Red-breasted Sapsucker     1     daggetti
Black Phoebe     1
Common Raven     3
Horned Lark     82
Red-breasted Nuthatch     1
Rock Wren     1
Bewick's Wren     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     17
White-crowned Sparrow     1
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     4
House Finch     1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Location:     Chimney Peak National Back Country Byway--Kern Co.
Observation date:     11/13/09
Notes:     9:25am-10:55am.
Number of species:     19
California Quail     1
Acorn Woodpecker     3
Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)     1
Loggerhead Shrike     1
Western Scrub-Jay     7
Oak Titmouse     1
Cactus Wren     2
Rock Wren     1
Bewick's Wren     4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
American Robin     1
Wrentit     1
California Thrasher     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     1
Spotted Towhee     1
California Towhee     3
White-crowned Sparrow     12
House Finch     1
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     South Fork Valley--Scodie Park
Observation date:     11/13/09
Notes:     8:45am-8:55am.
Number of species:     12
Red-breasted Sapsucker     1     Adult.
Western Scrub-Jay     1
Common Raven     2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
Western Bluebird     4
Northern Mockingbird     1
European Starling     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     4
White-crowned Sparrow     3
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     10
House Finch     1
House Sparrow     2
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Lake Isabella--Kissack Cove
Observation date:     11/13/09
Notes:     0645-0730.
Number of species:     14
Gadwall     120
Mallard     30
Bufflehead     6
Western Grebe     10
Clark's Grebe     10
Western/Clark's Grebe     300
American White Pelican     4
Double-crested Cormorant     3
Osprey     1
Peregrine Falcon     1
American Coot     15
Ring-billed Gull     20
California Gull     100
Common Raven     6
Horned Lark     4
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Kern River Preserve--Sierra Way
Observation date:     11/8/09
Notes:     6:05am-9:05am. 31.8F-53.3F, 74%-65% humidity, 0 kph wind.
Mammals: Bobcat-1, Mule Deer-4.
Number of species:     37
Mallard     32     17 in female plumage, 15 in adult male plumage
California Quail     5
Eared Grebe     1
Great Blue Heron     1
White-tailed Kite     1
Cooper's Hawk     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     3
Red-tailed Hawk     2
American Kestrel     3
Virginia Rail     3
Sora     2
American Coot     4
Mourning Dove     1
Nuttall's Woodpecker     3
Downy Woodpecker     1
Hairy Woodpecker     3
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)     10
Black Phoebe     5
Say's Phoebe     2
Western Scrub-Jay     1
Common Raven     10
Oak Titmouse     2
White-breasted Nuthatch     1
Bewick's Wren     7
Marsh Wren     4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     7
Western Bluebird     12
Hermit Thrush     2
American Robin     4
Northern Mockingbird     2
European Starling     3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     8
Song Sparrow     55
White-crowned Sparrow     9
Red-winged Blackbird     25
House Finch     69
American Goldfinch     3
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     California City Central Park
Observation date:     11/5/09
Number of species:     21
Ross's Goose     1
Snow/Ross's Goose     1
Tundra Swan     1
Mallard     13
Ruddy Duck     3
Pied-billed Grebe     2
Western Grebe     3
Double-crested Cormorant     4
Great Blue Heron     1
American Coot     29
Nuttall's Woodpecker     1
Empidonax sp.     1     This Empidonax gave the quick impression of
an adult Hammond's Flycatcher. But, the initial look was the only
look obtained ... a relatively quick look while sitting on a fence
and making one or two forays up and out for bugs. An attempt to
refind this bird to try and get more details was unsuccessful.
Impression was of a small Empid with a large head, short tail, and
gray back and tail. Tail and bird overall seemed too small for a Gray
Flycatcher. Just did not have the Gray Flycatcher "jizz." Rarer
species such as Least Flycatcher not ruled out. Thus the designation
as Empidonax species.
Black Phoebe     1
Common Raven     1
American Robin     14
Northern Mockingbird     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     15
Lark Sparrow     2
White-crowned Sparrow     4
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)     10
Brewer's Blackbird     1
Lesser Goldfinch     4
American Goldfinch     7
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Location:     Wofford Heights--Tillie Creek Campground
Observation date:     11/4/09
Notes:     6:55am-9:10am, Wednesday, November 4, 2009. 50.1F-64.9F,
33%-23% humidity, Winds to 1.9kph. Bob Barnes, John Schmitt (has a
more extensive list as I ran into him at the campground. He is going
to investigate eBird and may start entering his considerable (and,
therefore, additionally significant) body of observations from Tillie
Creek Campground on numerous days over numerous years). BB.
Number of species:     36
Common Merganser     36
California Quail     10
Osprey     1
Sharp-shinned Hawk     1
Cooper's Hawk     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     1
Merlin (Taiga)     2
American Coot     5
Mourning Dove     3
Anna's Hummingbird     2
Acorn Woodpecker     7
Red-naped Sapsucker     1
Red-breasted Sapsucker     1
Nuttall's Woodpecker     4
Northern Flicker     2
Black Phoebe     2
Say's Phoebe     1
Western Scrub-Jay     9
Common Raven     4
Oak Titmouse     1
Bushtit     1
White-breasted Nuthatch     2
Rock Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
Northern Mockingbird     7
California Thrasher     1
European Starling     3
Phainopepla     12
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)     3
Spotted Towhee     6
Lark Sparrow     1
White-crowned Sparrow     10
Golden-crowned Sparrow     4
Purple Finch (Western)     6
House Finch     10
House Sparrow     2
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/california/)

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California

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

Hi,

Just received a phone call from Alison Sheehey. Around 9am this
morning (just a few minutes ago) she found a tan-striped morph
White-throated Sparrow at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. The
sparrow was actively foraging for thistle seeds below the thistle
feed seeder on the west side of the front lawn. Specifically, the
feeder is next to the private driveway to the Preserve Manager's
house and across that driveway from the large water tank and propane
tank). This is 50-100 feet from the Headquarters public parking area.

Additional Observers: Brenda Burnett, Eleanor Fahey, Nancy Robinson,
Sandra Wieser, and three other participant's on Alison's Kerncrest
Audubon Society (eastern Kern County) field trip to Audubon
California's Kern River Preserve.

For Alison Sheehey,

Bob Barnes, Ridgecrest, CA.

Kern County Birders,



Madeline Bauer left a message for me asking me to post that she had a
tan-stripe White-throated Sparrow at Scodie Park in Onyx.  Seen at around
1:30 PM, north side of swing set.



John Green

Riverside, CA



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

Hi birders,



At Cerro Coso Community College, at least (4) Long-eared Owls were roosting
together in the pines in between the parking lot and the building.  Red-breasted
Nuthatches and the "slate-colored" Juncos were still present along with a
Red-naped Sapsucker.  A Merlin was at the Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area, and
at the cemetery just down the road was another Long-eared Owl and a Barn owl.



Good Birding,

Jimmy McMorran

Cardiff, CA

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Hi Birders,



Matt Kedziora, Andrew Fisher, and I had an hour this morning (11/7) to bird
around Cerro Coso Community College between 0615-0715.  Birds of note were:

Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)

Varied Thrush (1 male)--photo

Dark-eyed Junco "Slate-colored"  (2)--Photo

If anybody needs to see a photo of the birds, I have low quality, but
identifiable images (due to low light).



Behind the Marriot in Ridgecrest was a Sage Thrasher in the scrub.



Good Birding,

Jimmy McMorran

Cardiff, CA



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Sandhill Crane Festival, Nov 6-8, 2009

There are several events of interest to birders at this year's Sandhill Crane
Festival in Lodi.

Saturday's featured speaker will be Paul Bannick, an award-winning photographer,
whose presentation "The Owl and The Woodpecker: Encounters with North America's
Most Iconic Birds" will look at the way owls and woodpeckers define and enrich
their habitats and how their life histories are intertwined.  His photographs,
including many from his 2008 book, can be viewed at www.paulbannick.com.  The
San Joaquin Audubon Society is a major sponsor of Paul Bannick's presentation.

Sunday's featured speaker will be Paul Tebbel, who has worked with cranes since
1976, including 11 years as the director of Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary on the
Platte River in Nebraska.  His video presentation "Sandhill Crane Behavior" will
help the audience better understand crane body language, vocalizations, and
other behaviors.

Admission to the Festival is free, including the Friday evening reception, where
Dan Gifford of CDFG will be recognized with the Festival's annual Conservation
Award.  Free events on Saturday and Sunday include a variety of presentations,
workshops, and kids activities, the Art Show, and Exhibit Hall.  The Festival
will be held a Hutchins Street Square, 125 S. Hutchins Street in Lodi. 
Directions and more information about the Festival can be found at
www.cranefestival.com or by calling 800-581-6150.



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