8/8/2019 March 2008 Sandpiper Newsletter - Redwood Region Audubon Society

1/4

Carpooling to and on RRAS field trips is stronglyencouraged. Its economical, its fun, and its the rightthing to do! Impromptu carpools to trips meet in thefollowing parking lots at the times indicated in thetrip announcements: Trinidad (Park & Ride, Main

Street exit, west side of Hwy 101), HSU (northwestcorner of Harpst and Rossow streets, opposite StudentServices), Eureka (Park & Ride, Herrick Avenueexit), and Fortuna (Park & Ride, Kenmar Road exit).Be there a few minutes early, and see if anyone else isthere for ridesharing. If you would like to prearrangea carpool, try using the RRAS listserv. Please offeryour driver some gas money.

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, south end of I Street, at 8:30 a.m. CallKerry Ross ([707] 839-4365) for more information.Carpools: Trinidad 8:10 a.m., Eureka 8:05 a.m.,Fortuna 7:45 a.m.

Sunday, March 9: Humboldt Bay NationalWildlife Refuge. This is a wonderful 2- to 3-hour tripfor people wanting to learn the birds of the HumboldtBay area. It takes a leisurely pace with emphasis onenjoying the birds! Beginners are more than welcome.Take the Hookton Road exit off Hwy 101, then rightto the Salmon Creek Unit. Meet at the Refuge Visitor

Center at 9:00 a.m. Call Jude Power or David Fix([707] 822-3613) for more information. Carpools:Trinidad 8:10 a.m., HSU 8:25 a.m., Eureka 8:45 a.m.,Fortuna 8:45 a.m.

Saturday, March 15: Potawot Health Village. JoinMark Morrissette ([707] 822-8150) for this uniqueand educational half-day trip. We will observe birdlifewhile touring the trail system, which winds throughthe integrated landscape that surrounds the healthclinic. Come see the wildlife using the Ku wah-dah-

wilth Restoration Area, organic permaculture garden,and storm-water system that maintains wetlands onthe village conservation easement. Meet at 8:00 a.m.in the parking lot at the end of Weeot Way in Arcata(off Janes Road opposite Ernest Way). Carpools:Trinidad 7:45 a.m., Eureka 7:30 a.m., Fortuna 7:15a.m.

Redwood Region Audubon Society www.rras.org

FIELD TRIPS

Sunday, March 16: Eureka Marsh. Join this monthlywalkthe last of the seasonfor some great birdingin downtown Eureka. We spend an hour or two on aflat loop that takes us through a variety of habitatsfrom bay and mudflat to riparian and marshland. Meetin the parking lot at the foot of West Del Norte Streetat 8:30 a.m. Call Pablo Herrera ([707] 845-8166) formore information. Carpools: Trinidad 7:55 a.m., HSU

8:10 a.m., Fortuna 8:05 a.m.

Sunday, March 16: Southern Humboldt CommunityPark.Jay Sooter ([707] 444-8001), Robert Sutherland,and/or Doug Wallace (peregrinenation@asis.com)will lead this monthly walk. All ages and experiencelevels are encouraged to participate and revel in thebeauty of the park and its avian inhabitants on thiseasy, 2- to 3-hour walk. Binoculars are not provided,and dogs are not allowed. Field guides are usuallyavailable, but please provide your own if possible.Steady rain cancels. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parkinglot on Kimtu Road in Garberville. Carpools: Trinidad7:00 a.m., HSU 7:20 a.m., Eureka 7:35 a.m., Fortuna7:55 a.m.

Sunday, March 23: Fay Slough Wildlife Area.Thanks to a special arrangement with the CaliforniaDepartment of Fish and Game, we will be allowed tovisit Fay Slough when it is closed to the public andto see portions of it that are never open. Waterfowl,raptors, and shorebirds will be the primary focus.Well walk 2-3 miles; trails may be wet and/or

muddy, so be prepared. Meet leader Ken Burton atthe main entrance at 8:00 a.m.; exit Hwy 101 at Mid-City Motor World and turn left. Carpools: Trinidad7:30 a.m., HSU 7:45 a.m., Eureka 7:45 a.m., Fortuna7:25 a.m.

Sunday, April 6: King Salmon. Matt Wachs ([707]476-9349) will lead this walk on his home turf towork on loon, grebe, and duck identification anddiscuss Humboldt Bay ecology. The very low tideshould produce a large number of relatively closebirds, many in breeding plumage. Meet at 8:00 a.m.

in front of Gills By the Bay Restaurant (please parkon the street, not in the restaurant parking lot). Dresswarmly. Carpools: Trinidad 7:15 a.m., HSU 7:30a.m., Eureka 7:30 a.m., Fortuna 7:40 a.m.

The andpiperSMARCH 2008

15,000-plus Aleutian Cackling Geese have returned

to Del Norte County on their annual migration to thefar western edge of the Aleutian Islands to breed. Thisannual premigration staging has been taking place sincethe beginning of Tolowa Time and continues now asthe result of a successful recovery program under theEndangered Species Act (ESA). This tiny goose wasdown to fewer than 500 individuals when, after not beingseen for 30 years, it was rediscovered in the 1960s bySea Otter Jones on remote and rugged Buldir Island atthe far western reaches of the Aleutian Island chain. AnESA success story, this goose has hatched a celebrationin its honor, the Aleutian Goose Festival, now in its 10thyear. The festival offers over 60 workshop-field tripscovering, for instance: Spotted Owls, shorebirds, hawks

and raptors, a pelagic trip, high-elevation birds, MarbledMurrelets, gull identification, the Del Norte Big Day, andbirding by ear. Other workshop-field trips cover all of thespectacular ecosystems found within Del Norte County.This years keynote address, Secrets of the Redwood

Canopy, will be presented by Professor Stephen Sillettof Humboldt States University. Professor Sillett was thesubject of the recent best-selling book, The Wild Trees,by Richard Preston.

New this year are programs on eBird, a real-time online bird checklist program aimed at gatheringdata from across the country from citizen-scientists.Developed by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithologyand the National Audubon Society (NAS), eBirdprovides rich data sources for basic information on birdabundance and distribution at a variety of spatial andtemporal scales. In addition, an intensive workshop onthe Important Bird Area (IBA) program from NAS willemphasize unique areas in the world important to theworldwide population of birds and how to look at yourarea for possible inclusion in this program. The Del Nortecoast was recognized as an IBA in 2000. As in previousyears, several programs about Native American Heritageare offered by the Yurok and Tolowa Sovereign Nations.To top off the weekend, a 2-day extended trip will go onto bird the Klamath Basin region, leaving from CrescentCity on Monday, March 31.

Check out the entire program online at http://www.aleutiangoosefestival.org. For more information orto register for the festival, go to the website or telephone(707) 465-0888.

THE ALEUTIANS ARE HERE!

Aleutian Goose Festival

March 2830, 2008, Crescent City

Great Blue Heron Gary Bloomfield

8/8/2019 March 2008 Sandpiper Newsletter - Redwood Region Audubon Society

2/4

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 pernew 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: C24 7XCHAPlease make checks to the National Audubon Society.

Send this application and your check to:

National Audubon SocietyChapter Membership Data CenterP.O. Box 51001Boulder, Colorado 80322-1001

--------------LOCAL CHAPTER-------------

REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETYP.O. BOX 1054EUREKA, CA 95502

CHAPTER LEADERSOFFICERS

President Pablo Herrera.....................845-8166President-Elect-- Ken Burton.................839-5179SecretaryAdam Brown.......abrown@prbo.orgTreasurerSam Price......sam.price@yahoo.com

DIRECTORSKen Burton ........................................839-5179Sean McAllister .......................................496-8790Kerry Ross ........................................839-4365C.J. Ralph ........................................822-2015Jay Sooter ........................................444-8001

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Arcata Marsh DocentsKerry Ross.....839-4365

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

Education Shana Stearn ............442-1461

Field TripsKen Burton ............839-5179

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

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

NEC RepresentativeC.J. Ralph.........822-2015ObservationsStan Harris ............822-3802

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

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

SandpiperJan Andersen ............444-3501

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

Volunteer Coordinator...............HELP NEEDED

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

Birds in the BalanceRob Hewitt........269-0271

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

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

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

Redwood Region Audubon Societywelcomes the following newmembers and subscribers:

Arcata Todd & Melissa Kraemer, Sherri Miller,Michael SeeberCrescent City Mary JensenEureka Leatrice Mikkelsen, Mike Perry, LindaPersson

Gasquet Diana HartmanMcKinleyville Mr. & Mrs. Martin StocktonTrinidad Carol Mone, Steen Trump

We look forward to seeing you on field tripsand at our monthly programs.

Keep Up-to-Date Through RRAS ListserveBe reminded about field trips and programs and learnabout upcoming meetings, public hearings, and symposiaof interest to RRAS members and other concernednature lovers. Subscribe in 1 of 2 ways: through a Webpage link at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rras or bye-mail to rras-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Postingsshould have complete information. This listserv is notfor posting bird sightings.

March 31 Deadline forStudent Bird Art Contest Entries

For the 5th year, Redwood Region Audubon Society andFriends of the Arcata Marsh are cosponsoring a StudentBird Art Contest. Some $500 in prizes will be awardedto students from kindergarten through high school whosubmit a drawing of one of 40 selected bird species. Specialprize(s) will be awarded for the best rendition of a bird inits natural habitat.

Entries will be judged by local wildlife artistsand educators. Winners will be announced at the openingreception of the 13th Godwit Days Spring Migration BirdFestival on Friday, April 18. Entries will be displayed at theArcata Community Center during the festival, and copiesof winning artwork will be shown at the Arcata MarshInterpretive Center (AMIC) during May.

Artwork may be in color or black and white. Anymedia may be used (e.g., crayons, pastels, paint, pencil,collage). Subject must be a rendering of bird(s) from a listof 40 species. One entry per person.

Flyers with complete rules are available at theAMIC and Strictly for the Birds in Old Town Eureka or bysending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Sue Leskiw,

5440 Cummings Road, Eureka 95503.Artwork may be dropped off at Strictly for theBirds, 123 F Street, Eureka, or the AMIC, South G Street,Arcata, or mailed to Ms. Leskiw. Entries must be receivedby Monday, March 31, to be considered.

RRAS Conservation CommitteeDecember 2007 and January 2008

RRAS Conservation Committee Meeting, February 21By Chet Ogan

Attendees: Chet Ogan, chair; Ken Burton, Jim Clark, MelMcKinney, and Gil Saliba.Chet attended the Spartina summit February 13. AndreaPickart is trying to make some headway with riddingthe tidelands around Humboldt Bay of dense-floweredcordgrass, an invasive plant probably brought here by shipstrading with South America in the late 1800s.

Jim, Ken, and Mel commented on a planned Caltrans

realignment of Hwy 101 through Richardson Grove. TheCaltrans plan is to increase safety by widening shouldersand changing the road alignment. The plan would add afew more turns but lessen the chance of accidents withlarge redwood trees. Economic and social implications ofthis project have not been addressed, which may require anenvironmental impact statement.

Jim commented on the Klamath River settlement.The NEC position hinges on the removal of 4 dams torestore the flows and improve the river health and prospectsfor salmon runs. NEC is also opposed to farming on theKlamath Wildlife Refuge, which introduces pesticides intothe system.

Gil reported that Diane Feinstein has promised $3

million to supplement rehabilitation efforts on the TrinityRiver. An additional $500,000 is available for watershedprojects, but only $25,000 has been allotted for wildlifemonitoring.

Next meeting will be March 20.

Highlights of Del Norte County

Avian Bounty, February 20By Alan Barron

Recent birding opportunities in the area: Our Crescent CityHarbor bird activity during the past few sunny days hasbeen a treat. There is a real bird festival going on. Longstrands of Surf Scoters, up to 100 strong, have been parading

through the boat basins, allowing onlookers incrediblyclose looks at their brilliant, crisp, orange, black, and whitehead markings. When the scoters take flight, a cacophonyof harmonic trills vibrates from their wing beats. Otherbirds here are plentiful and unusually close by as well,including Buffleheads, Greater Scaup, 5 species of grebes,and Brandts and Double-crested Cormorants.

Along with the above come unusual bird visitors, amale-and-female pair of beautiful Long-tailed Ducks, withstriking white and black feather design, and a Brant. Thefeast for all these birds is an extraordinary abundance offood in the form of a seasonal herring run.

Upland in the dairies of the Smith River bottoms,other rare visitors have overwintered and are still with us.

A Crested Caracara, a large colorful falcon with vulturelikehabits, typically can be found from Baja California toFlorida. Also, a Little Blue Heron, a small heron fromthe southeastern U.S., has been growing up in Del Norte.Arriving in 2006 with juvenile white feathers, the LittleBlue is now a radiant navy blue with a purplish head andneck and is seen daily at the Alexandre Dairy.

One more rare treat awaits the vigilant birdwatcher.A Slaty-backed Gull, a bird originally from northeasternAsia, can be difficult to spot among the thousands of othergulls tending irrigation spray lines in the pastures. And, ofcourse, our Aleutian Geese (12,000 to 15,000) are now alsotaking flight every morning from Castle Island, off the coastof Crescent City. This morning, the fly-off was accentuated

with a full moon setting into the Pacific Ocean.

8/8/2019 March 2008 Sandpiper Newsletter - Redwood Region Audubon Society

3/4

Orogray DayAs I approached the top of Loleta Hill, the hailresumed in earnest. Ice pellets bounced off windshieldand hood, the reduced visibility prompting me toratchet up the wiper speed. Just another wet, windyNorth Coast winter day, I thought to myself. Despitethe inclement conditions, a warm glow pervaded my

body and a sense of supreme satisfaction rendered thepesky weather moot. Why the sunny disposition, onemight ask? Well, its an orogray day, Id respond.

We birders form a distinct subculture, onewith our own unique equipment, behavior, seasonalrituals, haunts (frequented places) and lingo.According to Leskiws New World Dictionary ofAmerican (Birders) Language:

orogray adj. Term is an aggregate of oro(Spanish, gold or golden) and gray.Latter syllable refers to weather conditionsthat most often accompany winter birding:wet, gray, windy, raw. Compound wordrefers to golden feeling experienced bybirder when a long-sought species ornemesis bird is finally encountered, the jubilation of which supersedes inclementweather.

February 1, 2008, was an orogray day, to besureassuming you found or relocated either of thetwo(!) Slaty-backed Gulls found in Humboldt. The daystarted slowly enough. As I near retirement, Ive begunto consider my annual winter layoff a testing groundfor the real thing. Dont laugh: the g-force exerted by a60-to-0 lifestyle could have consequences. One wants

to train, to ready oneself for it, as would be prudentwith any life passage. While clad in robe and slippersand working on my second cup of tea, the phonerang. Sue exchanged pleasantries with the caller for aminute, giving an update on how she was recoveringfrom the recent surgical removal of her toenail.

The hair on the back of my neck laid down.No bird emergency, I concluded. Relax. Whenyouve been at the chase for awhile, you develop asixth sense about these things. Sue turned to me. ItsMatt [Wachs]. Theres a bird emergency. She handedme the phone. What!? You and Rob Fowler found a3rd-cycle Slaty-Backed Gull at Fernbridge? Im on

my way.My Ottoman Empire flash-evaporated in a

flurry of activity: get dressed, slam down hat on sleep-disheveled hair. Scope. Bins. Water bottle. Grab power

bar, just in case the chase went into OT, as so manyfruitless forays for this rascally species had done. Onceon the road, I willed myself to return to that calmplace. Pay attention to the road. Maybe, just maybe,today will be the day. When I arrived, Rob was talkingon his cell phone, so he simply nodded and pointed to

his scope. The bird was still in view, loafing. Althoughthe gull was dozing, eyes closed, the field marks Icould see all checked out. The bird stirred, opened itseyes, and began to amble about, which enabled me tosee additional field marks. Yesss!!

Not that I ever doubted the ID. However,one likes to come to his own conclusions, especiallyregarding this will-o-the-wisp species. Consider:prior to this day, there were three Slaty-backed Gullrecords for Humboldt County. Diagnostic photos weretaken of at least two different individuals. And yet,until today, no follow-up chase party had ever caughtup with the species, which over the past 13 monthshad acquired a Sasquatch/Nessie-esque reputation foruncooperativeness.

Phone call concluded, I congratulated Rob onthe find. He then phoned Larry Maurin. Larry, Imhere looking atWhat!? No way! Youre looking at anadult Slaty-backed Gull at Hiller Park this moment?

Aristotle wrote: One swallow does not makea spring. No argument there, especially in these timesof global warming and dead-of-winter Barn Swallows.However, one (or more!) Slaty-backed Gull definitelymakes for an orogray day.

Tom LeskiwFebruary 7, 2008

3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull, Eel River Bottoms 2008 Gary Bloomfield

Humboldt County Public Library

Has Humboldt County

Breeding Bird AtlasThe RRAS Board of Directors received a letter on February21 from the Humboldt County Public Library thanking thechapter for its donation of 2 hard-cover copies of The Atlasof the Breeding Birds of Humboldt County, California, byJohn E. Hunter, David Fix, Gregory A. Schmidt, and JudeClaire Power. The Atlas was published in 2005 by RRAS.There are still copies available. To purchase a book or forfurther information, please contact Jan Andersen at (707)444-3501.

Winter Raptor Survey ResultsBy Ken Burton

In December I established a winter raptor-monitoringroute in Humboldt County following guidelinesdeveloped by the Hawk Migration Association ofNorth America (http://www.hmana.org). The route

runs about 27.5 miles through Loleta and Fernbridgeand was run December-February as a monthly RRASfield trip. We recorded every raptor we saw or heard,its behavior, location, and when possible, age andsex. These data will be combined (by others) withdata from other routes all over California to examinepatterns of raptor distribution, abundance, and habitatuse.

Free Guided Bird Walks atHumboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Join volunteer naturalist Louise Bacon-Ogden onWednesday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 19, from 9a.m. to 11 a.m. for bird walks at the Salmon Creek Unit ofHumboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Come see TundraSwans, Aleutian Geese, and other migratory waterfowl.Meet at the Richard J. Guadagno Visitor Center. Take the

Hookton Road Exit off Hwy 101, and follow the brownsigns to the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife RefugeSalmon Creek Unit Headquarters and Visitor Center.Everyone is welcome. For more information or specialaccommodations, please call (707) 733-5406.

Our results are as follows.

Species December January FebruaryTurkey Vulture 30 15 39White-tailed Kite 6 11 5

Bald Eagle 1 subadultNorthern Harrier 11 (2 juv., 3 ad. F, 3 ad.

M)

5 (3 ad. F, 1 ad.

M)

7 (3 juv., 4 ad.

F)Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 M 1 FCoopers Hawk 2 (1 juv. M, 1 ad. M) 2 (1 juv. F, 1 ad.)Red-shouldered

Hawk

5 (1 juv., 1 ad.) 6 (3 juv., 3 ad.) 4 juv.

Red-tailed Hawk 32 (4 juv., 23 ad.) 23 (5 juv., 16 ad.) 14 (3 juv., 9 ad.)Ferruginous Hawk 3 (1 juv., 2 ad.) 4 (2 juv., 2 ad.) 1 ad.Rough-legged Hawk 2 (1 juv.)American Kestrel 8 (5 F, 2 M) 13 (12 F, 1 M) 11 (8 F, 3 M)Merlin 2 (1 juv.) 1 ad.Peregrine Falcon 1 1Prairie Falcon 2 (1 juv.)

Total* 104 (12 species) 82 (10 species) 84 (10 species)

In summary, vulture numbers were depressedabout 50% in midwinter while kite numbers doubled.

Harriers were most abundant in early winter, andadult males were essentially absent thereafter. Red-shouldered Hawk numbers remained stable, but only

juveniles were seen in late winter; adults may haveretired to denser cover preparatory to nesting. AdultRed-tailed Hawks decreased steadily in numberwhile juveniles remained constant but always inthe minority. Kestrels increased in number afterthe first survey, and females greatly outnumberedmales consistently (12:1 in January!). Total raptorabundance and diversity were highest in December,then stabilized. It will be interesting to see how these

patterns compare with those of the state as a whole.I would like to thank everyone who

participated in these surveys, and I look forward tonext winters.

*The numbers by age and sex in the above table dont always match the total for the speciesbecause not all birds could be identified that precisely.

Peregrine Falcon 2008 Kerry Ross

8/8/2019 March 2008 Sandpiper Newsletter - Redwood Region Audubon Society

4/4

Field Notesby Stan Harris

Contributors

By Stan Harris

Two species new to the all-time northwestern California list wererecorded in this period; otherwise, it was an as expected periodmarked by some early departures of wintering waterfowl, thearrival of massive numbers of Aleutian Cackling Geese and BlackBrant. Weather was generally on the cold side.

Abbreviations used: AB= Arcata Bottoms, AMP = Arcata MarshProject; AOP = Arcata Oxidation Pond; BSE = Butcher SloughEstuary; CCH = Crescent City Harbor; ERB = Eel River Bottoms;HBNWR = Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge; GW = GeeWhiz report; KS = King Salmon; mo = many observers; MRC =mouth of Redwood Creek; NC = not confirmed; ND = no detailsor description; SB = South Humboldt Bay; SRB= Smith RiverBottoms

Greater White-fronted Goose: 1, BSE, 23 Jan (SH); 32,HBNWR, 24 Jan (RF, et al.); 1, AB, 2 Feb (RF). Lesser SnowGoose: 2 adults, 2 juv, Bald Hill, Ft. Bragg, 30 Dec-30 Jan(DT); 1 juv, AB, 21 Jan (GB); 3, ERB, 8 Feb (JK, RF, MW).Light-bellied Brant: 1 shot, SB, 5 Feb (DB), specimen at HSU.Cackling Goose: 1, Trinity Lake with Canada Geese, 17 Feb(JL). Tundra Swan: 8 flying up Redwood Creek, 20 Jan (KR);9, AB, 21 Jan (KR, GB); 300, HBNWR, 24 Jan (RF, et al.); 68,ERB, 8 Feb (RF, MW). Eurasian Wigeon: 1, HBNWR, 24 Jan(RF, et al.); 2, ERB, 1 Feb (RF, MW). Eurasian Green-wingedTeal: 1, HBNWR, 14-16, 24 Jan (EN, RF, et al.); 1-2, AMP/AOP,24 Jan-7 Feb (SH).

Baikal Teal (GW): 1 male of a reported 4 shot (3 males, 1 female)from a reported flock of 7-9 birds, ERB, 21 Jan (MMc) wasmounted by a taxidermist (DuC) (photos of mounted specimen,

SH)the first-ever record for this species in northwesternCalifornia. Canvasback: 206, Big Lagoon, 7 Jan (update) (RF,et al.); 1 female, MRC, 13 Jan (RF, et al.); 10, KS, 23 Jan, 5 Feb(MW); 18, ERB, 8 Feb (RF, MW); 8, Hayfork, 17 Feb (JL). Ring-necked Duck: 41 males, 4 females, MRC, 13 Jan (RF, KR, RS);30, 145, ERB, 1, 8 Feb, respectively (RF, MW); x, Hayfork, 17Feb (JL). Harlequin: 3, Glass Beach, 8 Feb (DT); 1, KS, 15 Feb(MW). White-winged Scoter: 32, Laguna Point, 20 Jan (DT).Black Scoter: 25 off MRC, 21 Jan (have been there since at leastearly Nov) (JA). Long-tailed Duck: 1, CCH, 3 Feb (AB); 1,Shelter Cove, 4 Feb (JS). Common Goldeneye: 1, ERB, 1 Feb(RF, MW); 11, Fernbridge, 8 Feb (RF); 1 female, AMP, 15 Feb(L&AP, LT); 1 imm. male, 1 female, AMP 20 Feb (SH); 100+,Lewiston Lake, 17 Feb (JL). Barrows Goldeneye: 30, TrinityDam, 17 Feb (JL). Hooded Merganser: 5, Blue Slide Road,25 Jan (TL, MW); 1 pair, Trinity Dam, 17 Feb (JL). Common

Merganser: 2, KS, 24 Jan (MW); 85, Stone Lagoon, 14 Feb (SH,et al.). Ruffed Grouse: 1, head of Tall Trees Trail, 15 Feb (DN).

Many thanks to the following who shared incidental reportswith us this period: Jeff Allen, Dominic Bachman, Alan

Barron, Gary Bloomfield, Lucas Brug, George Burchett,Barbara Burek, Ken Burton, Dennis Cahill, Jeanette Carroll,Daryl Coldren, Aaron Corcoran, Gary Crites, DurwoodCunningham, Duke Diehl, Linda Doerflinger, Elias Elias,L. Fencht, Rob Fowler, Brad Freeman, John Gaffin, StanHarris, Karen Havlena, Owen Head, Kathy Hines, SteveJessen, Jhermie Kellermann, Tom Leskiw, Gary & LaurenLester, Robert & Adrien Lockett, .Paul Lohse, Zac Loman,John Luther, Larry Maurin, Matt McCluskey, John Mello,Karen Meyer, Eric Nelson, Steve Nelson, Dick Norton,Judie & Lew Norton, Larry & Aurora Pitts, Kerry Ross,Mike Seegar, Keith Slauson, Rachael Smith, Jay Sooter,Kyle Spragens, Dale Swanson, Jim Tietz, Dorothy Tobkin,Lauren Tompkins, Wally Tordorf, Dave Vanenberg, Dan VanZile, Matt Wachs, Sara Williamson, Alice Young. Please callfuture reports to the Arcata Bird Box (707) 822-5666, to meat (707) 822-3802, send them to me at 1595 Charles Ct.,Arcata, 95521, or write them on the observation board at theArcata Marsh Interpretive Center.

Northern Pygmy Owl 2008 Kerry Ross

Arctic Loon (GW): 1, Stone Lagoon, 12-18 Feb (WT, et al.),photosthe first-ever confirmed record for this species innorthwestern California. Red-necked Grebe: 9, KS, 23 Jan

Slaty-backed Gull 2008 Jeff Allen

Arctic Loon 2008 Gary Bloomfield

Glaucous Gull 2008 Kerry Ross

Winter (17 Jan-19 Feb 2008)(MW); 1, Stone Lagoon, 14 Feb (KR, et al.). Clarks Grebe:2, 1, KS, 23 Jan, 12 Feb, respectively (MW). Brown Pelican:2, Samoa Bridge, 8 Feb (OH); 1, KS, 23 Jan (MW). AmericanBittern: 1, Lake Cleone, 17 Dec update (DT). Little Blue Heron:1 adult, Alexandre Dairy, 3-16 Feb (AB, KR, JL). Cattle Egret:1, ERB, 8 Feb (RF, MW). Osprey: 1, Lake Cleone, 16 Dec-15Feb (DT); 1, KS, 5, 12 Feb (MW); 1, mouth of Elk river, 8 Feb(OH); 1 carrying fish inland, Stone Lagoon, 14 Feb (KS, SH).Bald Eagle: 12 reports of 1-5 from MRC, Blue Lake, HooktonRoad, Fernbridge, Elk River, Bayside cutoff, ERB, AB, 17 Jan-19Feb (mo). Harlans Hawk: 1 light morph, AB, 10, 15 Feb(RF), a first for this color morph for the north coast. FerruginousHawk: 7 reports of 1-4 from ERB, SRB, Blue Slide Road,AB, Mail Ridge, 17 Jan-15 Feb (mo). Rough-legged Hawk: 7reports of 1-2 from AB, AMP, ERB, 21 Jan-9 Feb (mo). CrestedCaracara: 1, SRB, 31 Jan-9 Feb (SN, AB). Merlin: 1, AB, 26Jan (RF); 1, dark bird, SRB, 9 Feb (R&AL); 1, ERB, 1 Feb (RF,MW); 1, KS, 12 Feb (MW). Peregrine: 7 reports of 1-3 fromMRC, McKinleyville, AB, KS, ERB (mo). Prairie Falcon: 1,vic. Loleta, 19 Feb (JK). Pacific Golden-plover: 1, Klopp Lake,6 Feb (SH). Wandering Tattler: 1, Glass Beach, 8 Feb (DT).Red Knot: 12, Klopp Lake, 6 Feb (SH). Rock Sandpiper: 1-4,Laguna Point, 12-15 Dec update (DT). American Avocet: 165,

HBNWR, 24 Jan (RF, et al.); 280, AMP, 7 Feb (RF). IcelandGull (NC): 1, 2nd-year, SRB, 24 Jan (LB). Thayers Gull:175+, 30, ERB, 1, 8 Feb, respectively (RF, MW).

Northern Pygmy Owl: 8 reports of singles from Kneeland, ElkHead, Trinidad Head, Hiller Park, Hammond Trail, Shay Park, 1Jan (update from Kneeland), 16 Feb, included 1 eating a VariedThrush! (mo). Burrowing Owl: 1,South Spit, 9 Feb (ZL). SpottedOwl: 1, Arcata Community Forest, 18 Jan (David). Long-earedOwl: 1, North Dike, Humboldt Bay, 18 Feb (DD); 2, HBNWR,19 Feb (JK). Short-eared Owl: 2, V St. Loop, 9 Feb (KR, et al.);2, AB, 9 Feb (KR); 8, North Dike, Humboldt Bay (Mad RiverSlough Wildlife Area), 18 Feb (DD). White-throated Swift: 6,Benbow, 3 Feb (JS). Rufous Hummingbird: 1 continuing male,last seen Azalea Hill,19 Jan (GL); 1 other male, Azalea Hill, 10Feb (G&LL); 4 males (all at separate places), Arcata, 14-17 Feb(GB, RF, LM). Selasphorus sp.: 1, Azalea Hill, 10 Feb (GL);1, Shay Park, 17 Feb (LM). Allens Hummingbird: 1, AzaleaHill, 10 Feb (GL). Pileated Woodpecker: 1, Fruitland Ridge, 4,12 Feb (JG). Says Phoebe: 1, Centerville Road, 17 Jan (RF, et

al.); 1, ERB, 11 Feb (JK); 1, V St. Loop, 26 Jan, 9 Feb (KR,RS). Northern Shrike: 1, 10-Mile Beach, 12 Jan (DT). HuttonsVireo: 1, 2, Fruitland Ridge, 18 Jan, 11 Feb, respectively (JG).Gray Jay: 5, Greenwood Heights, a regular site, 9 Feb (JC).Western Scrub Jay: 1, off Hwy 101 east of Hwy, ERB, 17 Jan(RF, et al.). Barn Swallow: 3 (+6 swallow sp.), Lake Cleone,28 Dec (update) (DT); 5, Loleta pond, 18 Jan (RF, MW); 1,AMP, 11 Feb (SH); 30, ERB, 11 Feb (JK). House Wren: 1, 10-Mile River, 6 Feb (holdover from Dec), good description (KH).Western Bluebird: 2-9 seen on 16 of 31 days in Jan, Kneeland(BB, DVZ);8, Mail Ridge, 15 Feb (JG). Wrentit: 1, AMP, 15Feb (LT). Northern Mockingbird: 1, Loleta, 17 Jan (RF, et al.);1, Freshwater Corners, 9 Feb (JC). Orange-crowned Warbler:1, ERB, 8 Feb (RF); 2, 1, 1, AMP, 7, 16, 20 Feb, respectively (RF,LF, SH, respectively). Black-and-white Warbler: 1, MRC, 13Dec (update) (JA); 1, Elk Head, 9 Feb (AY). Palm Warbler: 1,Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, 16 Jan (DT); 1, ERB, 8 Feb(RF, MW); 4, Arcata, 18 Feb (EE). California Towhee: 1, Shively,21 Jan (TL); 1, Blue Lake riparian, 9 Feb (PL). Black-throatedSparrow (ND, NC): 2 reported at a feeder, Redway, 26 Jan ( SJ).Swamp Sparrow: 1, 3, AMP, 16 Jan, 7 Feb, respectively (KB,RF, respectively). Harriss Sparrow: 1, Arcata, 12 Jan (update)(ZL, photo): Slate-colored Junco: 1, Ft. Bragg, 19 Jan-15 Feb(DT). Lapland Longspur: 2, ERB, 8 Feb (RF, MW). WesternMeadowlark: 34 (some singing), Mail Ridge, 15 Feb (JG).Bullocks Oriole: 1 male, Smith River, 3 Feb (AB).

ex-Baikal Teal 2008 Stan Harris

Glaucous Gull: 13 reports of 1-3 (mostly 1st-year, some 2nd-year), SRB, CCH, MRC, Hiller Park, AB, Mouth of Elk River,ERB, Cape Mendocino Beach, 18 Jan-18 Feb (mo). CaspianTern: 11, mouth of Elk River, 8 Feb (OH); 1-2, KS, 12-15 Feb(MW); 1, HBNWR, 26 Jan (RF, et al.); 1, Hookton Slough, 26 Jan(ZL); 1, Cock Robin Island, 18 Jan (RF, MW). Forsters Tern:24, AOP, 22 Jan (SH). Ancient Murrelet: 13, off Laguna Point,23 Dec (update) (DT). Band-tailed Pigeon: 3, 6, Kneeland, 14,17 Jan, respectively (BB, DVZ); 1, 3, Eureka, 22 Jan, 9 Feb,respectively (TL); 3, 5, Sunny Brae, 30 Jan, 6 Feb, respectively(SH); 119 downstream from Benbow, 28 Jan (JS); 25+, SunnyBrae, 11-19 Feb (SH); 35, Mail Ridge, 15 Feb (JG). EurasianCollared Dove: 20, Smith River, 3 Feb (AB); 6-8, McKinleyville,14 Feb (KSl, SH, et al); 8, 15, ERB, 1, 8 Feb, respectively (RF,MW).

Slaty-backed Gull: 11 reports of 1-2 from SRB, CCH, MRC,Hiller Park, ERB (includes at least 4 adults, 1 possible 1st-yrbird, 1 2nd-yr bird, and 1 3rd-yr bird), 19 Jan-18 Feb (mo; somephotos).