Wed/Thurs 5/6 April 2006 Grace Steurer reported to me that "AL" the Laysan Albatross was at Point Arena Cove on both of these days in the late afternoon. This is the first time to our documetned knowledge that "AL" has continued using the cove into the month of April before annual departure (to Midway perhaps?).
Good Birding - Bob Keiffer

We have grosbeaks in our yard this morning. They may have arrived
yesterday or Thursday (I've been away). Maybe they know something we
don't know, and spring really is coming. Here's hoping, David

Thursday 6 April 2006 - This afternoon I noticed the arrival of Western
Kingbird (1), Cliff Swallow (1), and Barn Swallow (1) amongst numerous Tree
Swallows and Violet-green Swallows. All were at the lower. pasture portion
of the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center. Good birding! Bob Keiffer

Robert J. Keiffer
Principal Supt. of Agriculture
UC Hopland Research & Extension Center
4070 University Road
Hopland, CA 95449
(707) 744-1424 FAX (707) 744-1040
HREC website: http://danrrec.ucdavis.edu/hopland/home_page.html

"It is not the critic who counts... not the one who points out how the
strong person stumbles... or where the doer of deeds could have done
better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena."
Theodore Roosevelt

Thurs. 4/6/06 After checks along Red Hills Rd. in Lake County, CA
every 2-3 days from mid March until April and checks on 5 of 6 dates
in April, I finally observed Purple Martins for the first time in
2006. There were a minimum of four adult males along the length of the
road. Three were observed together in flight near the Beckstoffer
vinyard sign. A fourth adult male was seen about 250 yds W of the
intersection with Siegler Springs Rd. North, near the top of the
slope. No females were observed today. First observation of martins
along Red Hills Rd. occurred between between March 16 and 22 in 2003,
2004 and 2005. There is some sun today, but many more days with rain
forecast over the next 10 days so I hope they can find a meal.
Dave Woodward
Lakeport, CA

Greetings Mendobirders- Late this afternoon while sitting in the sun in my back yard trying to make some Vitamin D, I had a solitary CASPIAN TERN soaring overhead. I assume that it came off of Lake Mendocino. I see them regularly during the fall, but this is the first I have ever seen in the spring. I looked at Jerry White's "Birds of Lake County Seasonal Checklist" and note that he reports them as "Rare" in the spring. I ascribe it to this bird's response, which is much like mine, to the most unpleasant, gloomy weather we have been experiencing. It did not know where it was or when it was. I had a couple of other migrating birds in the yard as well: single RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD and TOWNSEND WARBLER males.

Go Giants, Chuck




*********************************
Chuck and Barbara Vaughn
Ukiah, CA 95482

cevaughn@pacific.net

The Band-tailed Pigeons are still plentiful in the Ukiah area in residential areas. I have been seeing flocks of approx 25 in the area of Laurel and Beacon, and I received a report from Sherry Drive this morning that a hawk had killed several Band-tails and eaten them in the same back yard yesterday and today. From the reported description, it sounded like a Cooper's Hawk.

Paul Hawks

The Band-tailed Pigeons are still plentiful in the Ukiah area in residential areas. I have been seeing flocks of approx 25 in the area of Laurel and Beacon, and I received a report from Sherry Drive this morning that a hawk had killed several Band-tails and eaten them in the same back yard yesterday and today. From the reported description, it sounded like a Cooper's Hawk.

Paul Hawks

We had bullock's orioles return to our yard last week (3/29). There
are currently two males making a racket, trying to stir up some
excitement. Sorry about the late post. Happy birding, and may the sun
come back soon.


David (Smith-Ferri)

Noteworthy birds seen today (1 April) include:
HORNED GREBE: six in splendid alternate plumage
lingering at Glenhaven.
PIED-BILLED GREBE: brood of three downy chicks (one
jumped off nest and joined the others; one fed a fish
by an adult) at Clearlake Oaks.
TUFTED DUCK: two males with long tufts (photographed
together!) lingering with several thousand SCAUP at
Borax Lake.
CINNAMON TEAL: four pairs at Robinson Lake.
BALD EAGLE: an immature at High Valley.
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL: two immatures lingering at
Clearlake Park.
CASPIAN TERN: two at Lucerne, three at Robinson Lake.
YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE: two at High Valley.

Yesterday (31 March) a COMMON LOON was at Detert
Reservoir.

Floyd Hayes
Hidden Valley Lake, Lake County

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 -- This evening a flock of about 100 TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS
were doing their bag-o'-cats chorusing in the tops of oak trees at the end
of Burris Lane, Potter Valley. At 5:57 P.M. they flew off to roost toward
the cattail marsh where they have nested for the last several years. It
looks like nesting is likely again this year. -- George Chaniot and Joanne
Haller

Birds of Uganda Benefit tomorrow night, 7 p.m., Ukiah Civic Center. The
newspaper coverage left a little to be desired, as the article was a
bit buried in the newspaper, so we'd appreciate anything you can do to
spread the word. Please pass the article along by email to anyone you
might have forgotten. (Directions are at end of article).
Thanks! Kate

“Birds of Uganda” Slideshow Flies Again!
Benefit for Peregrine Audubon Society

by Kate Marianchild

On a rainy evening in January 130 people explored the Albertine Rift,
hiked the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and boated down the Nile River
with Matthew Matthiessen, creator of the slideshow “Birds of Uganda.”
We saw dozens, or was it hundreds, of birds of truly unbelievable
colors and shapes. Elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos, warthogs,
waterbuck, and monkeys flashed across the screen as Matthiessen awed us
with over 250 sharp, high-quality photographs. His snappy commentary,
which was always informative and often funny, was delivered entirely
without benefit of notes and included the African names of an entire
family of Mountain Gorillas. After the performance audience members
were overheard telling Matthiessen he should deliver this show all
across the country…it’s that good.

If you missed “Birds of Uganda,” or if you wish to see it again, you’re
in luck. Matthiessen is generously repeating his performance on Friday,
March 31, 7 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center as a benefit for Peregrine
Audubon Society. Come early as the presentation is likely to sell out.
Matthiessen's "Birds of Borneo" benefit last year played to a standing
room only crowd. The suggested donation is $7, with children under 12
admitted free of charge. No one will be turned away if they are unable
to meet this donation. (Directions below).

Matthiessen spent most of his time in the Albertine Rift looking for
birds rarely seen by humans, such as the Green-breasted Pitta and the
Grauer’s Broadbill. He searched the Nile River for the African
Shoebill, an elusive stork with a huge bill shaped like a shoe. While
seeking his "top five" he found and photographed numerous exotic birds,
including many species of Sunbirds, Bee-Eaters, Weavers, and
Cisticolas. Come find out if he found his top five on Friday, March 31!
And in the process support the educational and conservation work of
Peregrine Audubon Society.

The Ukiah Civic Center is at 300 Seminary Avenue. From 101 take Perkins
Street west to State Street (second light). Go left on State Street.
Seminary Avenue will be the fourth street on the right. Take it to the
end.

Hi-- This morning, Jim saw a Say's Phoebe near Seaside Creek,
among the driftwood near Hwy 1. A short while later, he spotted
a (the?) male Long-tailed Duck quite close to the Ten Mile River-
mouth. It flew back up the river a way toward the bridge. He was
still in distinct, basic plumage. Jim said he got very good looks at
the duck, when he was at the rivermouth.

Also, both Mr & Mrs Osprey are reunited. The second bird arrived
March 16th, three days after the first bird. They frequently fly in
circles together.

Karen (for Jim) Havlena
North of Fort Bragg



---------------------------------
Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

I saw a 1st-cycle GLAUCOUS GULL at Clearlake Park on
Wednesday the 22nd and a male TUFTED DUCK (sleeping so
tuft not seen) among perhaps 3500 SCAUP at Borax Lake
on Saturday the 25th.

Floyd Hayes
Hidden Valley Lake, Lake County

Tuesday - 28 March 2006 - This is not really a report of a specific
sighting. I would just like to point out that I have received several
calls from the Ukiah and Hopland area, within the last couple of weeks, of
Band-tailed Pigeon flocks being seen at valley floor locations where folks
usually don't see them. I have reports of 100+ birds coming to feeders in
the Oak Knoll area of Ukiah. Other folks have reported them coming to
backyard feeders in Ukiah. I recently saw two flocks in the Oak Manor area
...one flock feeding on a backyard tree that has Boston Ivy (berries) all
over it. I have seen them in California Valley Oaks, probably feeding on
buds, on the valley floor of Hopland. Within the last couple of days I
have had them coming to my backyard chicken-yard at Hopland. Anyway, for
some reason inland Mendocino County has been inundated by these birds, and
I don't know if it is related to weather, food, or what!

Good birding. Bob Keiffer

Robert J. Keiffer
Principal Supt. of Agriculture
UC Hopland Research & Extension Center
4070 University Road
Hopland, CA 95449
(707) 744-1424 FAX (707) 744-1040
HREC website: http://danrrec.ucdavis.edu/hopland/home_page.html

"It is not the critic who counts... not the one who points out how the
strong person stumbles... or where the doer of deeds could have done
better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena."
Theodore Roosevelt

Tues Mar 28 - The male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was still present this morning at the same location it was reported from this past weekend. To reach this spot drive north on Tomki Rd and turn right on Fisher Lake Dr. Check the group of three trees in the front yard of the first house on the right.

Matthew Matthiessen
Ukiah, MEN, CA

MENDOCINO AUDUBON PRESENTS "JAPAN IN WINTER: BIRDING IN THE LAND OF THE
RISING SUN"



In 2003, Rich Kuehn and Dean Schuler, after 4 months of language instruction
spent four weeks in Japan. Made up of four main islands - Honshu, Hokkaido,
Kyushu and Shikoku along with several thousand smaller ones, Japan stretches
1,900 miles. On Monday, April 17th, they will be presenting pictures and
videos of the people, the places and the wildlife they discovered on their
journey. As if the many species of Cranes, the Ural Owl and Snow Monkeys
won't be enough to entertain you, you can dine on Japanese food just prior
to the presentation. This program will be given at the Gualala Arts Center
at 7:00 p.m. The catered, pre-program dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and
reservations are required. The cost of the dinner and drinks is $25.00.
Attendance at the program only is $5.00 and may be paid at the door. For
further information and reservations, call Mendocino Coast Audubon Society
at 964-6362 or email wwade@mcn.org.



Deadline for reservations is April 3rd so call or write soon so you won't
miss this exciting program.



Charlene McAllister
P.O. Box 332
Little River, CA 95456
707-937-4463

Sunday March 26, 2006

Geoff and I watched a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Bruce and Ann
Gove's yard at Fisher Lake Drive in Redwood Valley this morning. The
bird was working the birch trees near the road until a Sharp-shinned
Hawk flew in, spooking the Sapsucker and two Mourning Doves.

The bird has been seen at this location for at least a week and the
three birches are easily visible from the road. They're in the front
yard of the first house on the right at the corner of Fisher Lake and
Tomki Road.

Cheryl Watson
Ukiah

Today, Sunday, March 26 at MacKerricher State Park/Lake Cleone I saw a
single BROWN PELICAN flying overhead which Toby Tobkin tells me is an early
in the season sighting.



Charlene McAllister
P.O. Box 332
Little River, CA 95456
707-937-4463

In a book published in 1985 called "Birding Northern Çalifornia," found
by Vishnu at a garage sale, it mentions Harlequin Ducks at Van Damme
and Gray Jays at Russian Gulch. Does anyone know when they stopped
being at those locations?

Kate

As of around 4pm today, "Al", the Laysan Albatross, is still hanging
around at Arena Cove just west of Point Arena.

There also was a first-cycle Glaucous Gull in the field just north of
the Garcia bridge a few miles north of Point Arena and a drake
Harlequin Duck mixed in with a flock of Surf Scoters off the Point
Cabrillo lighthouse.

Stefan Schlick
Orangevale, CA