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www.rras.org

andpiperS

DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010

Redwood Region Audubon Society

The

December Program January Program

The Delight of Waterbirds Christmas Bird Count Brush-up

and pot luckthe birds of winter behind the redwood curtain

Our December program features the ace photographer and irrepressibleKerry Ross with his slant on preparing for the Christmas Bird Count.6:30 for the pot luck and 7:30 for the talk. Come and be amazed!

Our annual Christmas Bird Count preview is a look at both theexpected birds and some historical CBC rarities, concentrating onwaterbirds. Join Kerry Ross and several local CBC organizers asthey discuss bird identification and distribution in preparation for theupcoming Christmas Bird Counts. This will be preceded by a potluckdinner starting at 6:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share; well provide drinksand place settings

This CBC preview is a popular event and is guaranteed to edify and

entertain! Mark Your Calendars! Winter is on its way, and its time tostart thinking about participating in 1 or more Christmas Bird Counts,occurring this year from Monday, December 14, 2009 to Tuesday,January 5, 2010. Four of Californias 117 count circles are covered inHumboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties.

110TH Christmas Bird Counts

Arcata Saturday, December 19, Kerry Ross (707-839-4365; e-mail kerry@madriverbio.com). The count circleis centered on Arcata, stretching north to McKinleyvillesouth of Murray Road, west to Samoa and Manila, eastto Bayside up to the Baywood Golf Course, and southincluding Freshwater and to Eureka along the waterfrontto Bayshore Mall.

Del Norte Sunday, December 20, Alan Barron (465-8904, flockfinder@yahoo.com) or Gary Lester (work707-443-8326, home 707-839-3373, garylester@w-and-k.com). The count circle includes Crescent City,Smith River, Fort Dick, Lake Earl, Jedediah Smith

Redwoods State Park/Redwood National Park, and thewestern portion of the Smith River National RecreationArea.

Willow Creek Saturday, December 26, Gary Lester(see Del Norte). The count circle, centered on WillowCreek, includes Horse Mountain, portions of the SouthFork & Main Stem of the Trinity River, the smallcommunity of Salyer, and the southern Hoopa Valley.

Redwood Region Audubon Society (RRAS) issponsoring four local Christmas Bird Counts

(CBCs) between December 19 and January 3. Thecounts are part of the 110th count that involves

over 50,000 observers most of them amateurs --throughout the US and the world.

Visit www.rras.org/cbc/cbc_full_extent.htm to viewmaps of the local count circles imposed over majorstreets and roads. Such boundary delineations will letyou know whether your property lies within a countarea.

Ways you can participate1. Give counters access to your property2. Keep a list of birds that you see in your yard

on that day (be a feederwatcher)3. Join a team to cover a territory near your

home. (New birders are paired with veterans,so you dont have to be an expert.)

All are welcome. Call the contacts listed below toparticipate at any level.

Oil Spill Emergencies:how you can help BirdsLearn about the the drama and excitement as a smoothly-oiled

machine swings into action to save many birds. With its mission ofproviding best achievable care to oiled wildlife, the Oiled WildlifeCare Network (OWCN) is a world leader in oiled wildlife rescue,rehabilitation and research. The Marine Wildlife Care Center on thecampus of Humboldt State University is one of the primary oiled birdrehabilitation facilities in the statewide Network. Come learn aboutoiled wildlife response in California and locally, share the successes,and see the birds as they are released.. Oiled wildlife rehabilitationis the only opportunity available to the public to get involved in oilspill response. Dont wait for the next oil spill! Find out how we arepreparing for oil spills and how you can help with oiled bird rescue

Tamar Danufsky has worked in the field with shorebirds, seabirds,songbirds, black bears, raptors, and desert beetles. She has a BS inZoology and a MS in Wildlife and for the last nine years has workedin the HSU Wildlife Department as Museum Curator and coordinatorof HSUs oil spill response facility.

This program will be held on

Friday, December 11th,potluck starting at 6:30 p.m.,at the Humboldt County Office of Education

near the Burre Center at Myrtle and West in Eureka.

Bring a mug and enjoy shade-grown coffee.

Thank you for ensuring that our meetings are fragrance-free.

This program will be held on

Friday, January 8th,starting at 7:30 p.m.,

at the Humboldt County Office of Education

near the Burre Center at Myrtle and West in Eureka.

Bring a mug and enjoy shade-grown coffee.

Thank you for ensuring that our meetings are fragrance-free.

Centerville Sunday, January 3, Gary Lester (seeDel Norte). The count circle is centered on Loleta,divided into geographic sectors of 1) Fields Landing,King Salmon, College of the Redwoods; 2) TableBluff; 3) Loleta; 4) Fortuna; 5) Ferndale; 6) CentervilleRoad; 7) Port Kenyon Road; 8) Grizzly Bluff Road;9) South Spit; 10) Centerville Beach; 11) Elk RiverValley; 12) Humboldt Hill; and 13) Salt River.

http://mailto/http://mailto/http://mailto/mailto:flockfinder@yahoo.commailto:flockfinder@yahoo.comhttp://mailto/http://mailto/http://mailto/http://mailto/http://mailto/http://mailto/mailto:flockfinder@yahoo.comhttp://mailto/

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Keep Up-to-Date

Through RRAS

ListserveBe reminded about field trips and programs andlearn about upcoming meetings, public hearings,and symposia of interest to RRAS members andother concerned nature lovers. Subscribe in 1 of2 ways: through a Web page link at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rras or by e-mail to rras-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Postings shouldhave complete information. This listserve is not forposting bird sightings.

Thinking of Joining theNational Audubon Society?

If so, please use the coupon below. By sending in yourmembership on this form, rather than replying to solicita-tions from National Audubon, $20 is sent directly to RRAS.This is how NAS rewards local chapters for recruitingnational members. (Otherwise, the RRAS dues share per

new member is only a couple of dollars.) Thank you.

Chapter Membership ApplicationYes, Id like to join.Please enroll me as a member of the National AudubonSociety and of my local chapter. Please sendAUDUBON magazine and my membership card to theaddress below.

My check for $20 is enclosed. (Introductory offer)

NAME_______________________________ADDRESS___________________________CITY ______________________________STATE____________ZIP______________email ______________________________Local Chapter Code: C9ZC240ZPlease make checks to the National Audubon Society.

Send this application and your check to:

National Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 422250Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250

--------------LOCAL CHAPTER-------------REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETY

P.O. BOX 1054EUREKA, CA 95502

CHAPTER LEADERS

OFFICERS

President Ken Burton.................................825-1124

President-Elect Kerry Ross ..... 839-4365

SecretaryAdam Brown...............abrown@prbo.org

TreasurerSusan Calla.................................465-6191

DIRECTORS

Jim Clark ........................... 445-8311

Rob Fowler ................ 822-5095

Sean McAllister ..............................................268-0592

Lew & Judie Norton.......................................445-1791

Chet Ogan .............. 442-9353Kerry Ross ......................................................839-4365

C.J. Ralph .......................................................822-2015

Jay Sooter .......... 444-8001

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

ConservationChet Ogan ..........................442-9353

Education - - David Tompkins........................443-6959

Field TripsKerry Ross ..........................839-4365

HistorianJohn Hewston ..........................822-5288

MembershipLew & Judie Norton.............445-1791

NEC RepresentativeC.J. Ralph.................822-2015

Field NotesSean McAllister ......................268-0592

ProgramsC.J. Ralph...................................822-2015

PublicitySue Leskiw....................................442-5444

SandpiperDavid Schumaker...............530-227-5192

Gary Bloomfield........................822-0210

Volunteer Coordinator

-----------HELP!-------------------Lake Earl BranchSue Calla.......................465-6191

RRAS Web Page......................................www.rras.org

Arcata Bird Alert .....................822-LOON (822-5666)

The Sandpiper is published nine times each year byRedwood Region Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502.

New Members

Join the Education CommitteeThe RRAS Education Committee has a few openings fornew members. If you are interested in helping educate thepublic about birds and their habitat needs and awardingscholarships, please contact David Tompkins at (707)

443-6959 or tompkins@telis.org.

Redwood Region Audubon Society welcomes thefollowing new members and subscribers:

Arcata Patty Andriese, Stephen Bailey,Nate Blum, Simone Bottger

Eureka Kristin & David La FeverMcKinleyville Rowetta MillerRedway Kathy Ludey

Trinidad Peter Monahan

We look forward to seeing you on fieldtrips and at our monthly programs.

Humboldt

Breeding

Bird

Atlas

Available

We still have both

hardcover and

softcover copies ofAtlas of the Breeding

Birds of Humboldt

County, California (published 2005), in stock,

now available at half price: softcover $15

and hardcover $25 (both plus tax if mailed).

Consider getting some for Holiday gifts!

Contact Jan Andersen at (707) 616-3888 or

jandersen1936@earthlink.net to arrange a

purchase.

Pacific Coast Joint Venture

Protects Wetlands

One of the activities RRAS ConservationCommittee is involved with is Pacific Coast JointVenture. The Pacific The Pacific Coast Joint Ventureis a public-private partnership, focusing on theidentification, protection, and restoration of the mostimportant wetlands and associated upland and riparianhabitats in coastal British Columbia, Washington,Oregon and Northern California. The Pacific CoastJoint Venture (PCJV) continues to play an importantrole in northern California by building unique anddiverse partnerships for conserving critical habitat. ThePCJV was created to implement the North AmericanWaterfowl Management Plan and administers NorthAmerican Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grantsand has since been expanded to include all native floraand fauna and the full range of habitats associated withthe regions wetland ecosystems. The Farm Bill thatgoes through Congress each year is a major funder of

NAWCA. The California PCJV includes Del Norte,Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, and Siskiyou Counties.We adjoin other JVs in California including the Oregon,San Francisco, and Central Valley JVs.

Over the last 5 years, over $4.5 million has beenallocated for the acquisition and restoration of wetlandsin Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties.Recently, partnership-sponsored projects at Lake Earlin Del Norte, Valley View conservation easement nearPetrolia, McDaniels Slough project in Arcata, JacobyCreek and Vance Dairy in Humboldt, were among thosefunded. This year nearly $1 million should be grantedto PCJV California for restoration of 415 acres andenhancement of 1960 acres. RRAS would like to partnerwith City of Eureka, Coastal Conservancy, and RCAAto enhance a 15-acre Parcel adjacent to Eureka/PALCOMarsh

The Partners involved in the California PCJVinclude: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, CaliforniaDepartment of Fish & Game, USDA Forest Service,California Coastal Conservancy, Natural ResourcesConservation Service, City of Arcata, City of Eureka,Redwood Region Audubon Society, California WaterfowlAssociation, Ducks Unlimited, Jacoby Creek Land Trust,Mendocino Land Trust, North Coast Regional LandTrust, andRedwood Community Action Agency.

California PCJV Partners have permanentlyprotected over 90,000 acres of coastal wetland habitatsince 1992! CJ Ralph is the local Chair, Sharon Kaharais the California Coordinator, and Chet Ogan hasrepresented RRAS since 1998. If you wish to know morecheck out the website http://www.pcjv.org/california/

FIELD TRIPS

Every Saturday: Arcata Marsh and WildlifeSanctuary. These are our famous, rain-or-shine fieldtrips at the marsh; take your binocular(s) and havea great morning birding! Meet in the Klopp Lakeparking lot at 8:30 a.m. Call Kerry Ross (839-4365)for more information.

Sunday, December 13: Humboldt Bay NationalWildlife Refuge. This is a wonderful, two-to-threehour trip for people wanting to learn the birds of theHumboldt Bay area. It takes a leisurely pace withemphasis on enjoying the birds! Beginners are morethan welcome. Meet at the Refuge Visitor Center at9 a.m. Call Jude Power or David Fix (822-3613) formore information.

Saturday, December 19: Arcata Christmas BirdCount , Join us for the 110 th year of the ChristmasBird Count. All ages and abilities are encouraged toparticipate. You can join a group of birders or just doa feeder watch at your own house. This count circleextends from the mouth of the Mad River to theNorth Jetty and inland nearly to Blue Lake. ContactKerry Ross at kerry@madriverbio.comor 839-4365to participate.

Sunday, December 20: Del Norte Christmas Bird

Count. Join us for the 110th

year of the ChristmasBird Count. All ages and abilities are encouraged toparticipate. There are many people from HumboldtCounty that participate in this count so carpoolingis encouraged. If you are interested in participatingcontact Allen Barron at flockfinder@yahoo.com or707-465-8904 or Gary Lester at garys.lester@gmail.com or 839-3373.

Sunday, December 20: Eureka Marsh. Join thefirst of this seasons monthly walks for some greatbirding in downtown Eureka. We will spend anhour or two on a flat loop that will take us through avariety of habitats from bay and mudflat to riparianand marshland. Meet in the parking lot at the foot ofWest Del Norte Street at 8:30 a.m. Call Kerry Ross(707-839-4365) for more information.

Saturday, December 26: Willow Creek ChristmasBird Count. Join us for the 110th year of the ChristmasBird Count. All ages and abilities are encouraged toparticipate. You can join a group of birders or justdo a feeder watch at your own house. Contact GaryLester at garys.lester@gmail.com or 839-3373 toparticipate.

Sunday, January 3: Centerville Christmas BirdCount. Join us for the 110th year of the ChristmasBird Count. All ages and abilities are encouraged toparticipate. This is the oldest count circle in HumboldtCounty. You can join a group of experienced birdersor just do a feeder watch at your house. ContactGary Lester at garys.lester@gmail.comor 839-3373

to participate.

Winter Raptor Counts: This winters Loleta-Ferndale raptor counts will not be prescheduled;they will be conducted opportunistically basedon weather and the coordinators availability. Ifyou want to participate, contact Ken Burton,brdnrd@sbcglobal.net or 825-1124 to be notifiedwhen dates are decided.

Ruffed Grouse, 1 November 2009Mad River,Trinity Co., CA Kerry Ross

mailto:kerry@madriverbio.commailto:kerry@madriverbio.commailto:flockfinder@yahoo.commailto:flockfinder@yahoo.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:brdnrd@sbcglobal.net%22%20\o%20%22blocked::mailto:brdnrd@sbcglobal.netmailto:brdnrd@sbcglobal.net%22%20\o%20%22blocked::mailto:brdnrd@sbcglobal.netmailto:brdnrd@sbcglobal.net%22%20\o%20%22blocked::mailto:brdnrd@sbcglobal.netmailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:garys.lester@gmail.commailto:flockfinder@yahoo.commailto:kerry@madriverbio.com

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so we think we areso smart

The other day I was working on my tractor anddropped a small part between the engine and theside of the frame. I spent about 10 minutes trying toretrieve the part with pliers, long forceps, a magnet,and various other methods when it suddenly occurredto me that if I took a screwdriver and dropped itdown on top of the wayward part it would force it to

fall out the bottom of the compartment and onto theground. I felt so smug until C.J. sent me an articlefrom The Economist May 30th, 2009 issue.

The article, Sticks and Stones, was abouta bird called a rook. The rook is a member of thecrow family that lives in Europe. These birdsare very intelligent and the subjects of a study byChristopher Bird (a very appropriate last name) andNathan Emery of Cambridge University. They havebeen studying the tool using ability of rooks.

The rooks they chose were birds that havenever been seen using tools. They were raised incaptivity and apparently had no need for tools.When these birds need tools they apparently havethe intelligence to make and use them immediately.

When the birds are presented with aproblem, a tube with a delicious, to rooks, waxworm

on a platform in a tube the rooks almost immediatelyretrieve the prize by dropping a rock or a stick downthe tube to push it out the bottom. Not only that, ifgiven various sized rocks they will, usually on thefirst try, choose the largest rock that will fit in thetube to do the job.

If given several sticks the birds will eitherdrop a heavy stick down the tube or use a lighterone to push into the tube to achieve the same resultas the rock. If given the choice of a stick or a stonethey will choose the object best fitted for the job onthe first try. If neither is appropriate, too large a rockand a stick with horizontal twigs attached, they willalter the best choice to do the work. As an examplethe bird will prune the twigs off the stick until it fitsinside the tube.

The final problem was to give the birds astraight piece of wire and a tube with a plug in thebottom preventing the birds from pushing the wormout. No problem, they merely bent the wire into ahook and pulled them out the top.

Feeling a little chagrined I reflected on mytractor problem and felt a little foolish. I recoveredquickly when I thought, Yeah, well I bet they cantdrive a tractor! But then, maybe they have neverbeen asked to!

-Dave Schumaker

It was surprising just how fast the day hadwarmed. Scoping the skies for my quarry, I felta certain urgency to find one before the image-distorting heat waves took control.With the sparkling ocean below me, I rotatedthe scope slowly, scanning the horizon to thesoutheast. Three no four, large birds soared

together in the distance. I was encouraged by thelack of upturned wings and what appear to beshort tails. Theres no flapping or teetering to theirflight; they soar from point A to B with authority.A single bird splinters off and heads straight forme. It closes the distance to me by about one-half and banks. I make out the elongated whitepatches on the leading edge of the underwing,close to the body.

Ecstatic, I pump my fist in the air: Golden Eaglehas been eliminated from consideration. A manturns to me, points to the ocean, and says, Whyare you looking up that way, the view is overhere? Well, I try to explain, Im looking at arare bird, one Ive never seen before: a CaliforniaCondor.

He was right in a way. Who comes to BigSur and then turns his back on the ocean? Ourfascination for birds is difficult to put into words;we birders often exhibit behavior thats contraryto the norm. To wit:

Exhibit A: I returned to Humboldt during thelast week of August this year following nearly amonth in Arizona.A mid-summer visit to southernArizona is regarded by the general populationasbizarre behavior, yet if the monsoons kick in, itscooler than one would think. And the birds areparamount: while there, I met up with someonein Miller Canyon that had seen 15 species ofhummingbirds that day. On my way back home,I found myself in the desert town of CaliforniaCity at mid-afternoon. A thermometer read 106.

I drove past a modern-day oasisa public golfcourseand made my way to a sprawling, many-fingered duck pond. Littered with an abundanceof plastic detritus and garbage, the pond reekedof decaying vegetation and fish.

Only then did I realize that I was sitting next to adead, partially eaten carp. Why move? This deadfish is but a single grain of sand in this olfactory

affront. Nobody, and I mean nobody, was outand about in the oppressive heat. Residents werehunkered down, clinging to their AC. The vibeof the town was absolutely post-apocalyptic.However, as I doubted Id pass this way againduring summer, I kept to the shade the best Icould. My efforts were rewarded by seeing aRoss Goose.

Exhibit B: December 2002. Typhoon Pongsana,after wrecking havoc in Guam and elsewhere,crosses the Pacific, drawing a bead on Humboldt

County. Weather forecasters predicted theremnant typhoons deluge to begin on themorning of the Arcata Christmas Bird Count. Theday kicked off with heavy wind and sidewaysrain. Not surprisingly, all avian life appeared tohave been purged from our sector. Just beforelunch, our soggy team visited a property outside

Eureka. The houses eaves lacked gutters, madeabundantly clear as I peered upward into a tree,only to have a series of waterfalls stream downthe sleeves of my rain jacket. Fortunately, ourhouse lay within the count circle, so hot soupand a change of clothes semi-fortified us for theafternoons fun (2.78 of rain in Eureka that day:a record).

Exhibit C: The Ferndale CBC, held on 12/30/90,found my team and me scoping a field near theSalt River on a record-setting frigid Humboldtmorn. Slowly, the sun rose over the streamsidevegetation to reveal hundreds of Killdeerhunkered down in a field. The birds backsgleamed like diamonds, refracting the low-angled light. It took us a while to confirm thatevery single Killdeer was frost-encrusted, andI, for one, shivered involuntarily in the morningchill.

Its customary to focus on family, home, andcommunity gatherings during the holidayseason. However, we birders take on additionalresponsibilities as Christmas draws nigh. Ascompiler, participant, or landowner grantingaccess, the countthe Countis a seasonaltouchstone, as close to ritual as some of us get.Stumble out of bed. Trade its warm cocoon fora cold house. Its dark: no light penetrates thewindows. Breakfast: something hearty to startthe day. Caffeine. Load gear in vehicle. Watchthe sky and listen for the first bird. Will it be aRavenagain?

I can hunker inside, safe from the elements duringthe holiday season with the best of em: mulledcider, baked goods, way too much food, andsome football. However, the time has once againarrived where we attempt to juggle the manyresponsibilities of the holiday season. We mayget harried, turn up late for a family commitment,or lose our cool a time or two. However, this isour chosen lot in life: its what we do for fun. Ifa movie that combines drama with comedy canbe termed a dramedy, the combination of playand (self-imposed) duty that is the CBC mightwell be termed pluty. The holiday seasonapproaches and our feathered mistress calls.

Tom LeskiwOctober 28, 2009

Contrarian, and Proud of It

Barrows Goldeneye, 18 November 2009Smith River,Del Norte Co., CA Ken Burton

Sacramento, CA Governor Schwarzeneggerssignature on a new anti-poaching law that createstough new penalties for violators signals a newseriousness about the protection of the statesprecious birds and wildlife, said representatives ofAudubon California today.Assembly Bill 708, authored by Assembly MemberJared Huffman, recently passed through bothhouses of the State Legislature without a single novote. The bill installs tough penalties for the illegaltaking of birds and other wildlife well over whatthe law allows, as well as poaching for profit andintentionally torturing wildlife. It also allows theState Department of Fish and Game to revoke thelicense of the worst offenders.We are pleased that the Governor and the Legislature

has moved quickly to address the real and growingthreat of poaching to California birds and otherwildlife, said Graham Chisholm, executive directorof Audubon California. This law is an importanttool that our wardens will have in combating thisshocking trend.Audubon California began pushing for new legislationto increase penalties for violations after learninglate last year of an alarming upswing in poachingincidents. AB 708 quickly gained widespreadsupport from both sides of the aisle, as well as anarray of conservation and hunting organizations,wardens, and law enforcement officials.

-from Audubon Californiahttp://ca.audubon.org//

governors signatureon anti-poaching law signals new

seriousness about protection of birdsand other wildlife

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Field Notes By Sean McAllisterSUMMARY OF NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA

BIRD OBSERVATIONS

12 September 18 November 2009

Note: Many of the observations in this summary werereported previously in the November issue of the Sandpiper,which was mailed exclusively to RRAS members.

Two Redwood Region Audubon pelagic birding trips went out20-30 miles offshore, producing some of the highlights this

period. Onshore, fall migration has produced a few goodies for local birders to chase but overall it has been a rathermild event. Some of the highlights include: a long-overdue

first Del Norte county record ofBLUE-HEADED VIREO,discovered by Alan Barron, deservedly, in his own yard!; aSANDHILL CRANE, which touched down briefly in thesand dunes at Ten-Mile beach was seen (and photographed)only by Mendo-birder Karen Havlena; Humboldt countysfirst RUSTY BLACKBIRD in more than a decade was foundby Kerry Ross in the Arcata Bottoms and this was followedby another rare icterid, GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE,found by Rob Fowler. Several species not expected inany given year have made multiple appearances this fall,including HUDSONIAN GODWIT, BAR-TAILEDGODWIT, SUMMER TANAGER, LARK BUNTINGand ORCHARD ORIOLE. An AMERICAN TREESPARROW was discovered by Rob and Quinn Fowler.

Abbreviations:AB = Arcata Bottoms;AM = Arcata Marsh;

BLC= Blue Lake Cottonwoods; CC= Crescent City; CRI =Cock Robin Island;ESR = earliest seasonal report;HBNWR= Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge; HC = HighCount; KS = King Salmon; LSR = latest seasonal report;

MR = Mad River;MRCP = Mad River County Park;NJ=North Jetty; PPSP = Patricks Point State Park; RRAS-PBT= Redwood Region Audubon Sponsored Pelagic BirdingTrip; SRB = Smith River Bottoms; VSL = V Street Loop

Greater White-fronted Goose: 12 reports. ESR: 1,EurekaMarsh on 26 Sept (TLe); HC: 75+, overMcKinleyville, 28Sept (KSl) Snow Goose: 1, Arcata, 17 Nov (DFx) RosssGoose: 1,Lewiston Lake, 20 Oct (JLu); 1,HBNWR, 10 Nov(RHe) Aleutian Cackling Goose: Early reports of 15 and14 fromMRCP andAM, respectively, came on 28 Sep (LMa,KSl); HC: 1100, HBNWR, 27 Oct (GRe, ENe) EurasianWigeon: 1,AM, 26 Sep (ZLo); 1-4,Arcata Marsh, 9 Oct 18 Nov (RFo, JSa, SCa, EE) Ring-necked Duck: 1, NE

McKay Pond, 7 Oct (RFo) Harlequin Duck: 1-2, Glass

Beach, 2-20 Oct (DTo); 1-4, nr. Humboldt Bay entrancechannel, 10 Oct 15 Nov (Z&JLo, TKu, DSp, JSa, SCa,KRo, JCe) White-winged Scoter: 1,RRAS-PBT, 13 Sep(KRo, et al); 14,MRCP, 9 Nov (RFo) Black Scoter: 1, CCharbor, 6 Oct (RHe, EKe, GOb, Maria); 1, AM, 4-7 Nov(KRo. RFo); 11, CC area, 5 Nov (MHa); 1, Trinidad8-10Nov (MHa) Barrows Goldeneye: 12,Lewiston Res., 11Nov (RFo, et al); 3, Smith River, 18 Nov (KBu, LLa) Hooded Merganser: 3-13, VSL, 29 Sep 13 Nov (KRo,RSm, RFo, RHe); 8,AM, 8 Nov (SCa) Yellow-billed Loon:1, Samoa boat ramp, 12-29 Sep (BCa, TKu, JPo, DFx) Pacific Loon: 1,Lewiston Res.,7 Nov (RHe) Red-neckedGrebe: 1,NJ, 3 Oct (RHe) Eared Grebe: 5, Crab Park, 13Sep (SCa, MWa) Clarks Grebe: 1, CC Harbor, 6 Oct(RHe, EKe, GOb, Maria) Black-footed Albatross: 34,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo, et al); 6, off NJ, 19 Oct (TKu,JSa); 10 albatross, 6-8 miles offshore KS, 19 Oct (MWa) Northern Fulmar: 282,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo, et al); 12,PPSP, 14 Nov (DCo, et al); 5, North Spit, 15 Nov (SCa)

Pink-footed Shearwater: 424,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo, etal) Flesh-footed Shearwater: 1,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo,et al) Bullers Shearwater: 42,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo,et al) Sooty Shearwater: 201,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo,et al) Short-tailed Shearwater: 1,from Laguna Point, 22Oct (DTo); 1, PPSP, 14 Nov (DCo, et al) American WhitePelican: 1, flyover Eureka, 2 Oct (LTu); 1 imm, Trindad

Head, 8 Oct (MHa) Cattle Egret: 1 on the back of a cow,Loleta Bottoms, 14 Oct (KRo, RSm) White-faced Ibis: 2,AM, 20 Sep (KRo) Bald Eagle: 1,Alexandre Dairy, 6 Oct(RHe, EKe, GOb, Maria); 1, Bayside, 21 Oct (DMo) Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 attacking feeder birds,Bayside, 25Sep (PCa); 1,North Spit, 12 Oct (SCa); 1,Elk River mouth,15 Oct (SCa) Coopers Hawk: 1,Mauer Marsh, 25 Sep(TLe); 1, Fay Slough, 12 Oct (SCa) Harlans Hawk: 1,Fay Slough, 12 Oct (SCa) Ferruginous Hawk: 1,AB, 7-9Nov (ZLo, RFo) Rough-legged Hawk: 1,McKinleyville, 7Nov (KRo);1,AB, 14 Nov (KRo) Crested Caracara: 1cont., SRB, 19 Sep 5 Nov (JSt, PCh, ABa, JLu, MHa) Merlin: 8 reports.ESR: 1, South Spit, 18 Sep (TLe) PrairieFalcon: 1,Humboldt Hill, 6 Oct (LTu) Common Moorhen:1-2, Lake Cleone, 13-14 Sep & 3 Nov (DTo, RHu, et al) SANDHILL CRANE: 1, Ten-mile Beach, 1 Oct (KHv) American Golden-Plover: 1,AB, 17 Sep 5 Oct (DFx, JSt,RFo, LMa, JPo, TKu, DSp, JSa); 1,Russell Ck/ Lake Earl, 8Oct (LBr); 1,Loleta Bottoms, 11-14 Oct (RFo, KRo, RSm,KBu) Pacific Golden-Plover: 2-4,AB, 17 Sep-6 Oct (DFx,m.obs.); 1, Lake Tolowa, 19 Sep (JSt, ABa); 1-13, Loleta

Bottoms, 25 Sep-14 Oct (L&JNo, MWa, KRo, RSm); 1,Virgin Creek, 7 Oct (RLeV); 1, Ocean Ranch, 15 Oct (SMc) Lesser Yellowlegs: 1, Klopp Lake, 26 Sep (RFo); 1,McKayPond/AM, 28 Sep (LMa); 3, VSL, 8 Oct (KRo, RSm); 2,VSL, 8 Nov (SCa) Whimbrel: 1, Mauer Marsh, 25 Sep(TLe) HUDSONIAN GODWIT: 1, CRI, 19 Sep (SMc); 1,Virgin Creek, 20-30 Sep (DTo, KHv) BAR-TAILEDGODWIT: 1, PALCO Marsh, 24 Sep (OH) RuddyTurnstone: 1, Klopp Lake, 26 Sep (RFo); 1, PPSP, 14 Nov

(DCo) Red Knot: 3, Elk River Mouth, 24 Sep (OH); 1,

Russell Creek/Lake Earl, 6 Oct (LBr); 1,NJ, 2 Nov (JSa) Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1, North Spit, 12 Sep (TKu,DSp, JSa); 2, CRI, 13 Sep (SCa, MWa); 1, Virgin Creek, 30Sep (DTo) Bairds Sandpiper: 1, Redwood Creek,13 Sep(KI); 2, MRCP, 28 Sep (KRo) Pectoral Sandpiper: 1-8,

Lake Tolowa, 15-19 Sep (LBr, JSt, ABa); 1, ChadbourneGulch, 16 Sep (RHu, CKi, DTo); 1, Mad River Estuary, 19Sep (KRo, RSm); 50-80, Pacific Shores, 20-28 Sep (LBr); 4,

AB, 22 Sep (TKu, DSp); 2, Virgin Creek, 25 Sep (DTo); 1, Lake Cleone, 27 Sep (DTo); 5, McKay Pond/AM, 28 Sep(LMa); 5, Lanphere Road/AB, 29 Sep (KRo); 1, PALCO

Marsh, 30 Sep - 4 Oct (SCa); 1, Glass Beach, 2 Oct (DTo);1,AB, 6 Oct (RFo); 1, Lake Cleone, 7 Oct (DTo); HC: 140(!),Russell Creek/Lake Earl, 7 Oct (ABa); 2, Foster Road/

AB, 14 Oct (KRo, RSm) SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER:1-2 ,Russell Creek/Lake Earl, 11-21 Oct (LBr, ABa, JGar,JLu) Rock Sandpiper: 1-2,NJ, 1-10 Nov (RHe, TKu); 1,Glass Beach,3-8 Nov (DTo); 1, Trinidad, 14 Nov (MHa) Dunlin: 8, CRI, 13 Sep (SCa, MWa) Buff-breastedSandpiper: 1, Lake Tolowa, 15-19 Sep (LBr, JSt, ABa) Bonapartes Gull: 1,AM, 2&8 Nov (JSa, SCa) Mew Gull:1, Trinity Res., 11 Nov (RFo et al) Thayers Gull: 1,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo, et al) Sabines Gull: 1, Elk Creek

Mouth, 29 Sep (LBr) Black-legged Kittiwake: 1,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo, et al); 1, PPSP, 14 Nov (DCo, et al); 5,

North Spit, 15 Nov (SCa) Caspian Tern: 2, Elk Rivermouth, 11 Oct (RFo); 3, Eel River estuary, 16 Oct (SMc) Elegant Tern: 17, CC Harbor, 21 Sep (ABa); 2,Humboldt

Bay, 23 Sep (JPo) South Polar Skua: 1,RRAS PT, 11 Oct(KRo, et al) Pomarine Jaeger: 3,RRAS PT, 11 Oct (KRo,et al) Parasitic Jaeger: 2, Table Bluff, 13 Sep (SCa,MWa); 2, NJ, 19 Sep (KRo, RSm); 3, NJ, 26 Sep (DCo,TKu, LTu); 1, North Spit, 15 Nov (SCa) Long-tailed

Jaeger: 1, CC Harbor, 15 Sep (KSl);1,NJ, 19 Sep (KRo,RSm) LONG-BILLED MURRELET: 1,RRAS-PBT, 11Oct (KRo, et al) Ancient Murrelet: 2,North Spit, 15 Nov(SCa) Cassins Auklet: 65,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo, et al) Rhinoceros Auklet: 1, Table Bluff, 13 Sep (SCa, MWa);91,RRAS-PBT, 11 Oct (KRo, et al) Short-eared Owl: 1,VSL, 9 Nov (TKu) Common Poorwill: 1, Saddle Mountain,21 Sep (Z&JLo) Black Swift: 1,MRCP, 16 Sep (PCh) White-throated Swift: 2, Garberville, 5 Oct (SCa); 2, Usal,6 Oct (JWh) Lewiss Woodpecker: 4, Kneeland, 9 Oct(BBu, DVz); 1,Bald Hills Road/Hum Co. , 18 Oct (EKe,EDa) Western Wood-Peewee: 1, Cooper Gulch, 6 Oct(TLe) Willow Flycatcher: 1, Arcata, 12 Sep (GBl); 1,Trinidad, 21 Sep (MHa); 1, Arcata Marsh, 22 Sep (RFo) Says Phoebe: 1, Kneeland, 11&21 Sep & 5 Oct (BBu,DVz)1,Redwood Creek, 6 Oct (KIr); 1, CCB St. Pier, 6 Oct(ABa, RHe, EKe, GOb, Maria); 1, Ferndale Bottoms, 17 Oct(OH); 1,AB, 13 Nov (RFo, DCo) Black X Says PhoebeHybrid: 1 returned, Port Kenyon Road/Ferndale Bottoms,

26 Sep 14 Oct (OH, KRo, RSm, KBu) Tropical Kingbird:1, CRI, 19 Sep (SMc); 1,Lanphere Dunes, 12 Oct (CJR) Northern Shrike: 3, Pacific Shores, 11 Oct (ABa, REk,JFl); 1, South Spit, 1-6 Nov (LTu, DCo) Plumbeous Vireo:1, SRB, 18 Sep (LBr) Cassins Vireo: 1, BLC, 12 Sep(TLe); 1,Arcata, 12 Sep (GBl) BLUE-HEADED VIREO:1, 1st Del Norte county record!, CC yard, 5 Oct (ABa) Warbling Vireo: 1,Arcata, 25 Sep (GBl); 1, Cooper Gulch,6 Oct (TLe) Red-eyed Vireo: 1,Eureka Marsh, 16 Sep(LTu, SBa); 1, Trinidad, 17 Oct (MHa) Gray Jay: 1,Jim-

Jam Ridge, 25 Sep (MPe, fide GSL) Horned Lark: 2,Pacific Shores, 8 Oct (LBr) Purple Martin: 2, CRI, 20 Sep(JSt) Ruby-crowned Kinglet: ESR: 1,Aldergrove Pond,26 Sep (RFo) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 1, Orick Dump, 10Oct (KIr) Mountain Bluebird: 9, Trinity Res., 11 Nov(RFo, et al) Northern Mockingbird: 1,Log Pond/AM, 24Sep (OHe); 1, Orick, 16 Oct (KIr); 1, Smith River, 21 Oct(ABa, JLu); 2, Garberville, 7 Nov (JSo); 1, AB, 15 Nov(SCa) Sage Thrasher: 1,Eureka Marsh, 18 Sep (SCa)

RED-THROATED PIPIT: 1 (heard), Pacific Shores, 29Sep (LBr) American Pipit: ESR:5, South Spit, 13 Sep(SCa, MWa) Tennessee Warbler: 1, Trinidad, 10-15 Oct(MHa); 1,Bayshore Mall Willows , 11 Oct (RFo) NashvilleWarbler: 1, Davison Road/Orick, 7 Oct (TLe, KBu); 1,

MRCP, 10 Oct (TKu, DSp); 1, BSLP, 20 Oct (DFx); 1,Eureka, 2 Nov (JLo) Northern Parula: 1,Manila Park, 12Sep (TKu, DSp, JSa); 1, Trinidad, 12 Sep (MHa) YellowWarbler: 1,Elk River Wildlife Area, 15 Oct (SCa); 1,AM,23 Oct (RFo) Chestnut-sided Warbler: 1, Orick Dump,13 Sep (KIr); 1, MRCP, 1 Sep (PCh); 1, Eureka Marsh, 20Sep (ALa); 1,Aldergrove Pond, 26 Sep (RFo); 1,Elk Head,16 Oct (MHa) Black-throated Gray Warbler: 2,BLC, 12cSep (TLe); 1,Arcata, 25 Sep (GBl) Townsends Warbler(esr): 1,Arcata, 12 Sep (GBl) Blackburnian Warbler: 1,

Arcata yard and elsewhere along Janes Creek, 25-27 Sep(GBl, RFo, OHe) Palm Warbler: 1,AB, 9 Oct (LTu); 1,SRB, 10 Oct (ABa, JFl); 1, Old Town Eureka, 20-21 Oct &14 Nov (SMc, GSL); 1, Pt. St. George, 21 Oct (ABa, JLu);

Many thanks to the observers:Steve Barlow, Alan Barron, Bob Battingen,Gary Bloomfield, Lucas Brug, Barbara Burek,Ken Burton, Pam Cahill, Brent Campos, Scott

Carey, Phil Chaon, Daryl Coldren, ElaineDavid, Ray Ekstrom, Elias Elias, David Fix, JimFlett, Quinn Fowler, Rob Fowler, John Gaffin,Joe Gartland, Rick Golightly, Melody Hamilton,Jim Havlena, Karen Havlena, Owen Head, RobHewitt, Richard Hubacek, Ken Irwin, ElyseKelly, Caroline Kinet, Tony Kurz, AlexandraLamb, Laurie Lawrence, Tom Leskiw, GaryLester, Ron LeValley, Zach Loman, Jill Loman,John Luther, Larry Maurin, Sean McAllister,Diana Mossman, Cindy Moyer, Eric Nelson,Judy Norton, Lew Norton, Gretchen OBrien,Merritt Perry, Larry Pitts, Jude Power, C.J.Ralph, Galen Reid, Kerry Ross, Lynda Roush,Paul Roush, Jesse Sargent, Stephanie Schneider,Keith Slauson, Bob Sizel (sp?), Rachel Smith,David Spangenberg, John Sterling, Scott Terrill,Dorothy Tobkin, Leslie Tucci, Dan Van Zile,

Matt Wachs, Jerry White, Ben Zyla.

Field Notes is a compilation of bird sightingreports for Humboldt, Del Norte, western Trinityand northern Mendocino counties. Sourcesinclude the Redwood Region Audubon Societybird alert and birders information phone line(707-822-LOON), the online northwesternCalifornia birdwatching and informationexchange (nwcalbird@yahoogroups.com),the Mendocino County birders listserve(mendobirds@yahoogroups.com), and reportssubmitted directly to the compiler. Futurereports may be submitted to any of the sourcesmentioned above, or to Sean McAllister:sean@madriverbio.com; 417 2nd St., Suite 201Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 268-0592.

Rusty Blackbird, Arcata Bottoms, Kerry Ross, 20091111

1, Shelter Cove, 25 Oct (DFx); 1, AM, 7 Nov (RFo) Blackpoll Warbler: 1, Cooper Gulch, 6 Oct (TLe) Blackand White Warbler: 1, McKinleyville, 19 Sep (GSL); 1,Trinidad, 21 Sep (MHa); 1, Cypress Patch/North Spit, 5 Oct(TKu) American Redstart: 1,MRCP, 4 Oct (RHe, EKe) Ovenbird: 1,MRCP, 7-8 Oct (PCh, KRo, RSm) NorthernWaterthrush: 1,Arcata yard, 12 Oct (GBl); 1,AldergrovePond, 12 Oct (PCh); 1 returning, Log Pond/AM, 23 Oct(RFo) McGillivrays Warbler: 2,Entrance Patch/N. Spit,12 Sep (TKu, DSp, JSa) Hooded Warbler: 1 cont.,Mauer

Marsh, 17-26 Sep (TLe) Wilsons Warbler: 1, CooperGulch, 23 Oct (TLe) Pairie Warbler: 1 Trinidad, 18 Sep(MHa) Yellow-breasted Chat: 1, AM, 22 Sep (RFo) SUMMER TANAGER: 1, adult male cont., Lake Cleone,16 Sep (KHv); 1 adult male, Fieldbrook, 27 Sep (BSi) Western Tanager (lsr): 1,Hookton Road, 20 Oct (SMc) California Towhee: 2, NEDel Norte Co., 9 Oct (ABa) AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 1,AB, 15-18 Nov (RFo,COg) Chipping Sparrow: 1, Eureka Marsh , 15 Oct (SCa) Clay-colored Sparrow: 1, Cooper Gulch, 27-28 Sep(SMc, ANT); 1,Davison Road/Orick, 7 Oct (TLe, KBu); 1,

McKinleyville yard, 8 Oct (KRo); 1, Vigo St./Eureka, 11 Oct(SCa); 1,Lake Cleone, 15-16 Oct (DTo, KHv); 1, VSL, 16Oct (RFo); 1,McKinleyville, 31 Oct (KSl) Lark Sparrow:1, Westport, 15 Sep (DTo); 1,Humboldt Hill, 17 Sep (DCo,LTu); 1 or 2, CC Harbor, 23 Sep (ABa) LARKBUNTING: 1, Jackson Ranch Rd./AB, 29 Sep (EE); 1,

Bucks Port, 21 Oct (KBu, CMo) Fox Sparrow (esr): 1,McKinleyville, 12 Sep (KRo) Lincolns Sparrow: ESR:1,Woodley Island, 14 Sep (TLe) White-throated Sparrow:

ESR: 1, Cypress Patch/N. Spit, 6 Oct (RFo); HC: 10,Bayside,16 Nov (DFx, JPo) Golden-crowned Sparrow: ESR:1,McKinleyville, 14 Sep (KRo) Lapland Longspur: ESR: 2,South Spit, 2 Oct (TLe); HC: 17, Pacific Shores, 11 Oct(ABa, REk, JFl) Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1, Shay Park,14-17 Sep (?, DFx, JPo, KRo, RSm, RFo) BLUEGROSBEAK: 1, Usal, 6 Oct (JWh) Bobolink: 2, CC

Harbor Dredge Ponds, 21-27 Sep (ABa) TricoloredBlackbird: 7-18 males,Alexandre Dairy, 11-13 Oct (ABa,REk, JFl) Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1, north of Fort

Bragg, 16 Oct (J&KHv); 1, VSL, 23 Oct (KRo); 1, EurekaWaterfront, 24 Oct (PRo, LRo) RUSTY BLACKBIRD: 1,

AB, 11-15 Nov (KRo, PCh, COg, SCa, RFo) GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE: 1,Moxon Dairy, 13 Nov (RFo, OH) ORCHARD ORIOLE: 1, VSL, 27 Sep (TKu); 1, nr.

Laguna Point, 1-5 Oct (JSt, KHv, DTo); 1, Fairhaven, 6 Oct(RFo) LAWRENCES GOLDFINCH: 2 heard, AB, 16Nov (TKu, LTu).

Yellow-headed Blackbird, 23 October 2009Arcata Bottoms, Humboldt Co., CA Kerry Ross