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Re: housebound birding

Edward Vine
 

Yes, Tilden is open! Just was at Inspiration Point for a long walk. Nothing notable there but nice to be out birding.

Ed

On Wed, Mar 18, 2020 at 12:22 PM Noah Arthur via Groups.Io <semirelicta=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
Again... outdoor recreation is specifically allowed according to the official Alameda Co. shelter in place order, and is presumably the same in other counties. So birding is one of the few things that you are still allowed to leave the house for. 

Noah 

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 10:15:14 AM PDT, Rev. Lois Hoy via Groups.Io <revdmother=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:


if you can't be out observing, explore.org has wonderful wildlife cams so one can watch Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles on their nests right now



--
Edward Vine

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Building 90R2002
Berkeley, CA 94720-8136

Phone:     1-510-486-6047
Email:    elvine@...
Re: Tricolored Blackbird Survey April 3rd-5th call for participants

Phil Cotty
 

Alan, this survey is one of the few activitties that might go along with social distancing if we're counting solo.  Any news on whether or not the Tricolored Blackbird on April 3-5 is still on?


On Thu, Mar 12, 2020 at 9:07 PM Alan Bade <alanbade@...> wrote:
Greetings birders! I'm sending this to the EBB Sightings group after learning that many don't subscribe to the EBB Discussion group, where I posted originally. I'm helping Audubon CA recruit participants.

There's an important bird survey in early April; the statewide triennial Tricolored Blackbird Survey. This survey has been conducted since the 1980s and is a joint effort between UC Davis, Audubon CA, and various govt agencies.

As many know, Tricolored Blackbirds breed in large colonies. Due to habitat loss and conversion, they are threatened, even though historically they used to be a very abundant species. This survey attempts to monitor colonies in known habitat and identify new colonies. Sites are visited mostly by vehicle and can be conducted independently or in small groups, following a protocol established by UC Davis and Audubon CA.

There are many sites in Contra Costa and Alameda County. I'm coordinating a group from Mt Diablo Audubon for the Contra Costa sites, but volunteers are needed to cover sites in Alameda and further south. If there are any members from GGAS, Marin, Napa-Solano, or Ohlone Audubon that would like to join this effort, that would be wonderful!  Xeronimo Castenada from Audubon CA is lead, and I encourage you to contact him directly at Xeronimo.Castaneda@... 

Xeronimo is also particularly looking for surveyors in the San Luis Obisbo and Santa Cruz areas.
MDAS members (and others!) are also welcome to contact me at alanb1491187@... or communityscience@... 

Here is a link to the survey; https://tricolor.ice.ucdavis.edu/

The survey is on April 3rd- April 5th. There is a webinar scheduled for Saturday March 14th from 10 AM to Noon where Xeronimo will explain the protocols and answer questions. This webinar will also be available after the event for viewing. (The webinar is encouraged but not required for participation.) The protocols and webinar link will be forwarded to anyone interested.

This survey has in the past identified sites in California where colonies with thousands of birds have been saved by paying farmers to delay harvest. It is one of the few community science efforts that can directly and immediately result in 1000s of birds saved! I hope you will consider joining us.

Thanks, Alan Bade, Mt Diablo Audubon Community Science  



--
Phil Cotty   
(510) 551-3133 
Re: housebound birding

Noah Arthur
 

Again... outdoor recreation is specifically allowed according to the official Alameda Co. shelter in place order, and is presumably the same in other counties. So birding is one of the few things that you are still allowed to leave the house for. 

Noah 

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 10:15:14 AM PDT, Rev. Lois Hoy via Groups.Io <revdmother@...> wrote:


if you can't be out observing, explore.org has wonderful wildlife cams so one can watch Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles on their nests right now
housebound birding

Rev. Lois Hoy
 

if you can't be out observing, explore.org has wonderful wildlife cams so one can watch Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles on their nests right now
Fw: eBird Report - 6511 Exeter Drive, Oakland, CA, Mar 17, 2020

John Luther
 

Here are the results of birding from home today for 5 hours in the Oakland Hills from south side of Shepherd Canyon looking north towards Round Top.

6511 Exeter Drive, Oakland, CA 
Mar 17, 2020 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Observing from home on and off during the 5 hours
31 species

Wild Turkey  1
Band-tailed Pigeon  25
Mourning Dove  4
American White Pelican  1    soaring and eventually going east past Round Top into Contra Costa Co at about 12:30
Turkey Vulture  5
Golden Eagle  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Hutton's Vireo  1
Steller's Jay  6
California Scrub-Jay  2
American Crow  2
Common Raven  20
Chestnut-backed Chickadee  4
Oak Titmouse  1
Violet-green Swallow  3    first seen about 3 days ago assume returning to nest in the canyon
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  4
Bewick's Wren  1
American Robin  3
House Finch  6
Pine Siskin  60    minimum number as they are at feeders almost all the time
Lesser Goldfinch  4
Fox Sparrow  15
Dark-eyed Junco  30
Golden-crowned Sparrow  25
White-throated Sparrow  1    here all winter
Song Sparrow  2
California Towhee  4
Spotted Towhee  4

John Luther
Oakland
Re: Shelter in Place -- 3 White-throated Sparrows!

Edward Vine
 

Latest news that I know of:


Will be going out tomorrow and will hope for the best.

Ed

On Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 4:23 PM Dawn Lemoine <lemonbirder@...> wrote:
FYI

This morning I met a friend at Claremont Canyon at 7:30am for some birding.  There were quite a few people out walking, everyone keeping a safe distance.  When we arrived back at the entrance at 10:30, big signs were up that the park was closed.  We had to climb over yellow Caution tape to get out.  There's nothing about this on the EB Parks website.  

Be safe!
Dawn

On Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 4:06 PM Carolyn Arnold <carnold@...> wrote:
Healthy people over 65 need to exercise too!  Will be out running and hiking and birding, but keeping a wide social distance. 

On Mar 16, 2020, at 5:14 PM, Dana Gallo via Groups.Io <danagallo68@...> wrote:

See second sentence at top.  If you are above 65 (seems to vary), stay home except for medical reasons.


On Mar 16, 2020, at 4:42 PM, Derek <dlheins@...> wrote:



Yes, here’s the info

.
From page 3 in the second link:
 
For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities.” But people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care. i. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home. ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences. Order of the County Health Officer to Shelter in Place Page 4 of 7 iii. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running. iv. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations. v. To care for a family member or pet in another household
 
 
Derek Heins
 
From: EBB-Sightings@groups.io <EBB-Sightings@groups.io> On Behalf Of Steve Taylor
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 4:35 PM
To: EBB-Sightings@groups.io
Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Shelter in Place -- 3 White-throated Sparrows!
 

It’s my understanding we can go outside to exercise provided we go alone????



On Mar 16, 2020, at 3:58 PM, Graham Chisholm <graham.chisholm@...> wrote:


While starting my sheltering in place this afternoon, I had 3 tan-striped White-throated Sparrows in our yard near San Carlos and Portland Ave in Albany.  We've had at least two all winter since 11/22/19, and only seen the third one one other time in December.  
 
Fortunately there is lots of good birding out our windows for the coming three weeks and I wish all well.  Stay healthy!  
 
Graham Chisholm
Berkeley, CA
 
--
Graham Chisholm
c. 510-409-6603
 


Carolyn Arnold
(510) 590-1172 (cell)








--
Edward Vine

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Building 90R2002
Berkeley, CA 94720-8136

Phone:     1-510-486-6047
Email:    elvine@...
Re: Shelter in Place -- 3 White-throated Sparrows!

Dawn Lemoine
 

FYI

This morning I met a friend at Claremont Canyon at 7:30am for some birding.  There were quite a few people out walking, everyone keeping a safe distance.  When we arrived back at the entrance at 10:30, big signs were up that the park was closed.  We had to climb over yellow Caution tape to get out.  There's nothing about this on the EB Parks website.  

Be safe!
Dawn

On Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 4:06 PM Carolyn Arnold <carnold@...> wrote:
Healthy people over 65 need to exercise too!  Will be out running and hiking and birding, but keeping a wide social distance. 

On Mar 16, 2020, at 5:14 PM, Dana Gallo via Groups.Io <danagallo68@...> wrote:

See second sentence at top.  If you are above 65 (seems to vary), stay home except for medical reasons.


On Mar 16, 2020, at 4:42 PM, Derek <dlheins@...> wrote:



Yes, here’s the info

.
From page 3 in the second link:
 
For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities.” But people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care. i. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home. ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences. Order of the County Health Officer to Shelter in Place Page 4 of 7 iii. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running. iv. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations. v. To care for a family member or pet in another household
 
 
Derek Heins
 
From: EBB-Sightings@groups.io <EBB-Sightings@groups.io> On Behalf Of Steve Taylor
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 4:35 PM
To: EBB-Sightings@groups.io
Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Shelter in Place -- 3 White-throated Sparrows!
 

It’s my understanding we can go outside to exercise provided we go alone????



On Mar 16, 2020, at 3:58 PM, Graham Chisholm <graham.chisholm@...> wrote:


While starting my sheltering in place this afternoon, I had 3 tan-striped White-throated Sparrows in our yard near San Carlos and Portland Ave in Albany.  We've had at least two all winter since 11/22/19, and only seen the third one one other time in December.  
 
Fortunately there is lots of good birding out our windows for the coming three weeks and I wish all well.  Stay healthy!  
 
Graham Chisholm
Berkeley, CA
 
--
Graham Chisholm
c. 510-409-6603
 


Carolyn Arnold
(510) 590-1172 (cell)
Re: Shelter in Place -- 3 White-throated Sparrows!

Carolyn Arnold
 

Healthy people over 65 need to exercise too!  Will be out running and hiking and birding, but keeping a wide social distance. 

On Mar 16, 2020, at 5:14 PM, Dana Gallo via Groups.Io <danagallo68@...> wrote:

See second sentence at top.  If you are above 65 (seems to vary), stay home except for medical reasons.


On Mar 16, 2020, at 4:42 PM, Derek <dlheins@...> wrote:



Yes, here’s the info

.
From page 3 in the second link:
 
For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities.” But people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care. i. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home. ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences. Order of the County Health Officer to Shelter in Place Page 4 of 7 iii. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running. iv. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations. v. To care for a family member or pet in another household
 
 
Derek Heins
 
From: EBB-Sightings@groups.io <EBB-Sightings@groups.io> On Behalf Of Steve Taylor
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 4:35 PM
To: EBB-Sightings@groups.io
Subject: Re: [EBB-Sightings] Shelter in Place -- 3 White-throated Sparrows!
 

It’s my understanding we can go outside to exercise provided we go alone????



On Mar 16, 2020, at 3:58 PM, Graham Chisholm <graham.chisholm@...> wrote:


While starting my sheltering in place this afternoon, I had 3 tan-striped White-throated Sparrows in our yard near San Carlos and Portland Ave in Albany.  We've had at least two all winter since 11/22/19, and only seen the third one one other time in December.  
 
Fortunately there is lots of good birding out our windows for the coming three weeks and I wish all well.  Stay healthy!  
 
Graham Chisholm
Berkeley, CA
 
--
Graham Chisholm
c. 510-409-6603
 


Carolyn Arnold
(510) 590-1172 (cell)
Re: More weirdness - Nutalls, turkey and geese.

Hilary Powers
 

On 3/17/2020 12:29 PM, Marcus via Groups.Io wrote:
The turkey was making goose like noises, calling up to a goose on the roof. The goose answered back. This went back and forth for a little while.

Reminds me of a truly disgusted-looking peahen I once saw watching the magnificent display of a peacock... to a spotted guineafowl. The peacock was chasing the guineafowl around a yard, occasionally getting close enough to swing the whole grand fan over the guineafowl's head (and his own).... 

-- 
~            Hilary Powers - Hilary@... - Oakland CA          ~
~  www.salamanderfeltworks.com; www.Etsy.com/shop/SalamanderFeltworks ~
~         Needle Felted Sculpture - Real and Fantasy Creatures        ~

More weirdness - Nutalls, turkey and geese.

Marcus
 

3 days ago I was checking on the progress of the Nutalls next and momma was digging out a new hole on another branch trunk, about 1-1/2 inches and a quarter inch deep. I yelled out what are you doing momma?

It paused.

looked around, went to the other hole for a bit and poked around. Next two days no birds.
Today they are back at the original hole. Both of them.

Yesterday, my partner who works on the Thermo Fisher campus in Pleasanton (they just shipped out a whole bunch of COVID-19 test kits) was watching a Turkey near the F building where geese next and lay eggs on the roof. The turkey was making goose like noises, calling up to a goose on the roof. The goose answered back. This went back and forth for a little while.


So we're all gonna die, right?


Marcus Pun
Video Editor / Producer/Editor / Camera
C: 510-384-8085 | H: 510-530-2507
Oakland, CA
Re: Second-hand Weirdness

Hilary Powers
 

On 3/17/2020 10:58 AM, EBB-Archivist wrote:
Have you showed him images of "leucistic crows" from Google images?

Not yet. I keep boggling at the idea of three matching leucistic crows. It feels as though if the variation ran that strongly in families, we'd be hip-deep in piebald crows....


-- 
~            Hilary Powers - Hilary@... - Oakland CA          ~
~  www.salamanderfeltworks.com; www.Etsy.com/shop/SalamanderFeltworks ~
~         Needle Felted Sculpture - Real and Fantasy Creatures        ~

Housebound birding II

EBB-Archivist
 

Library closed? Try birding eBooks:
http://www.birdwideweb.com/2019-06-article.php
Re: Second-hand Weirdness

EBB-Archivist
 

Have you showed him images of "leucistic crows" from Google images?
Shelter in place - Sibley golden eagle

Wendy Parfrey
 

Hi all,

At 9:30 this morning a golden eagle was perched on one of the Sibley towers.  Didn't see any white on the tail so maybe an adult?

cheers, Wendy
Oakland Hills
Re: Second-hand Weirdness

Hilary Powers
 

On 3/16/2020 9:23 PM, Sharon Jue wrote:
Either Coots or Gallinules would be surprising in that location, though. Is there any possibility it was a crow/raven/blackbird that the light was hitting oddly?

On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 9:05 PM Susana dT <trapaga@...> wrote:
May be a Common Gallinule immature? The legs and bill are not black but could be dark enough in the distance.
Just guessing.

Corvids catching light weirdly seem most likely... but that's not saying much. The guy reported seeing three birds together on the median behind Berkeley Bowl and thinking vaguely "oh, crows or ravens" (thereby providing a clue to his birding expertise). Then one took off, revealing white or gray triangles along the edge of the underwing, and he thought, "hmm, must be elderly." Then the other two took off, revealing the same pattern.

"What kind of bird could that be?" he asked me an hour or so later.

"Beats the hell out of me," sez I....

(I've bounced the Coot idea off him, but he swears the beaks were really black.)

-- 
~            Hilary Powers - Hilary@... - Oakland CA          ~
~  www.salamanderfeltworks.com; www.Etsy.com/shop/SalamanderFeltworks ~
~         Needle Felted Sculpture - Real and Fantasy Creatures        ~

Very unusual flicker

David Robinson <dvdrobinson@...>
 

Sheltering at home this afternoon turned out to be unexpectedly exciting. A pair of Northern Flickers (one male, one female) perched for a while in a tree (a Horse Chestnut?) behind the parking lot of my apartment building.

The female turned out to be Red-shafted.

I was hoping the male would turn out to be intergrade (Red-shafted x Yellow-shafted), since I'd seen an intergrade male in another nearby tree about a week ago.

I took a lot of pics and then examined them carefully, while consulting four different field guides as well as Cornell's online Birds of North America and All About Bird. 

To my great excitement, the pics revealed the male to be even more interesting than I'd hoped: I think he's an Intergrade Red-shafted/Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker x Gilded Flicker hybrid.

Here's the link to my eBird list.  It includes pics, as well as my reasoning for the ID.  The most important field marks:
  • red malar stripe (like Red-shafted & Gilded)
  • red collar behind neck (like Yellow-shafted)
  • tan crown and nape (like Gilded)
  • salmon wing edges and salmon underside of upper part of tail (like Red-shafted)
Additionally:
  • black patch on chest is rather rounded/oval (possibly more like Gilded than Red-shafted)
  • salmon underside of tail feathers doesn't extend far down tail; most of underside of tail feathers is black (like Gilded) — although this feature is not conclusively shown in my pics.
I've asked my "Master Birding" teachers to take a look and let me know what they think. 

Hoping the ID holds up!

David Robinson
Oakland
Claremont Canyon

Alan Howe
 

Hi, all.

I escaped out this afternoon, rode my bike up to look for the summer tanager &, for the 3rd time this year came up short. But I did get to see 2 red-tails in what appeared to be a courtship dance in the sky; circling closely, dropping their legs in flight and eventually soaring high. Later another r-t was perched in the lower branches of a eucalyptus for a while.

Also seen:
chestnut-backed chickadee
Hutton's vireo
yellow-rumped warbler
acorn woodpecker (they do like the lower of the 2 oaks the tanager frequents)
house finch (?)
scrub jay
Cal towhee
American crow
oak titmouse--possible; I think I heard one

There were some great singers out there as evening started to fall, but I couldn't ID them all.

It was a gorgeous day on the hill--& very chilly when out of the sun.

Stay well, everyone!

Alan Howe
North Oakland
Re: Second-hand Weirdness

Sharon Jue
 

Either Coots or Gallinules would be surprising in that location, though. Is there any possibility it was a crow/raven/blackbird that the light was hitting oddly?


On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 9:05 PM Susana dT <trapaga@...> wrote:
May be a Common Gallinule immature? The legs and bill are not black but could be dark enough in the distance.
Just guessing.
Re: Second-hand Weirdness

Susana dT
 

May be a Common Gallinule immature? The legs and bill are not black but could be dark enough in the distance.
Just guessing.
Re: Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Albany Bulb

Sharon Jue
 

Interesting, I saw a male Eurasian x American Green-wing Teal on the Albany mudflats in 2017; not great photo here:


On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 7:53 PM Frank Fogarty <fogartyfa@...> wrote:
Fantastic! I've yet to pick out a Eurasian hen in the states. 

This male ended up being an intergrade - there was a faint, broken vertical white line visible when the bird moved into better light.

Checklist and poor digiscoped picture:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S65885307  

Frank

On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 6:16 PM KENNETH ARCHAMBAULT <gm72125@...> wrote:
Frank, about 15 years ago, I filmed a male with a HEN Eurasian at Albany Bulb! At first she associated with the male American G-W teal, but on later visits I saw her withe the Eurasian male, and filmed her, finally got her spreading her wings, showing diagnostic field marks. Best. - Ken Archambault, Birmingham, Alabama
On Monday, March 16, 2020, 07:36:37 PM CDT, Frank Fogarty <fogartyfa@...> wrote:


Looking at a male Eurasian (Common) Teal on the mudflats in the NE corner of Albany Bulb right now.

Frank Fogarty
Arcata
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