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Male Wood Duck at Elk Glen Lake, 1-31-2010
rehtse2007
Saw a beautiful male wood duck at Elk Glen Lake yesterday along the southern edge of the lake. Picture posted in "Miscellaneous" Folder under "Wood Duck." Enjoy!
esther
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Re: Allen's Hummingbird
Mark Eaton
This seems very late actually. I've had them the first week in January in
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years past and they've been reported elsewhere in Northern CA from then. I'd guess they were back earlier but limited coverage due to the El Nino storms left them undetected. Mark
On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 8:28 AM, swansonls <lswanson@...> wrote:
Regarding early arrival dates for Allen's Hummingbird: on Wednesday --
--- Mark Eaton mark@...
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Allen's Hummingbird
Linda Swanson
Regarding early arrival dates for Allen's Hummingbird: on Wednesday morning, 1/27, there was an Allen's Hummingbird on the south side of JFK in Golden Gate Park near an entrance to Speedway Meadow. In mid-afternoon of 1/27, there was an Allen's Hummingbird between the Student Services Building and the hillside staircase to parking garage at San Francisco State University, and a known location for ALHU.
Also on Wednesday, 1/27, heard an Orange-crowned Warbler on the north side of JFK in Golden Gate Park, west of the de Young Museum. Linda Swanson
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Re: Lake Merced
Rob Garriock <rgarriock@...>
Similarly, I also saw a Selasphorus hummer in the pines near El Polin Spring. I understand that they are uncommon this time of year but what struck me as very unusual is that it performed a display dive. I also noticed that the Juncos really have been singing in the trees this weekend. A little sunny weather and the birds think it is spring.
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rob garriock, SF
--- In SFBirds@..., Dan Murphy <murphsf@...> wrote:
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Land's End today
artlyonsyah
Below the south observation deck of the San Francisco Cliff House at high tide this afternoon about a dozen Surfbirds mixed with about the same number of Black Turnstones were foraging together on the rocks dodging the splashing surf. Off Seal Rock there were many Loons (?Species} flying back and forth along the tide line. A good opportunity to see the former at close distance in good light. No ducks or sea lions today and only a couple of Willets patiently waiting on the rocks for the sand to be exposed.
Arthur Lyons
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First Post
Bettina Cohen <bettina.cohen@...>
Highlights from today's walk starting at El Polin included a hawk fight between a red-shouldered & a red-tailed flying over trees behind the houses on Quarry Rd. First the RS attacked the RT, then 4 crows ganged up on the RT and drove it off toward Lover's Lane. I was with my husband and two friends and we then saw 3 Stellar's Jays, some robins & house finches downhill from us and after a few minutes watching them, here come 2 Red-Tailed hawks from lovers lane back to where we'd first seen the RT & RS. This was around 11:30.
Other highlight was a pair of Red-Breasted Mergansers -- male & female -- on the lagoon across from the Sports Basement about noon. BC Sent from my iPod
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Lake Merced
Dan Murphy
This morning at North Lake Merced there was an Allen's Hummingbird in a willow on the small mesa west of the Sunset Circle. A Common Yellowthroat was in the marsh by the wooden footbridge. The Mesa heron colony had 6 herons attending 4 nests. At the boathouse 7 herons were at 4 nests. There was some stick carrying and nest building. The male Yellow Warbler was at the top of the hill where the roads converge from the boat docks.
Good birding, Dan Murphy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Kris Olson 1/30/2010
sonny mencher
Beautiful memorial service this morning. My estimate is over 400 attended representing many aspects of Kris's multifaceted life.
One speaker talking about Kris's love of birding described her this way. The description really resonated with me and I believe applies to most of us. "... with binoculars, notebook and pen, looking in the silence for that different glide, flutter or chirp." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Local interest, 1/30/10
Jason Yakich
I was at N. Lake Merced's wooden bridge shortly after twilight to listen for rails. None were heard, but I did hear (and then see) an adult male Ring-necked Pheasant, in the shrubbery on the golf course side of the wooden bridge. West of the boathouse, the two wintering Yellow Warblers quickly revealed themselves following some pishing.
I also hit up S. Lake Merced, parts of GG Park and Land's End this morning but found nothing noteworthy. The waters around Mile Rock were virtually devoid of waterfowl, though there was decent activity by the other usual suspects. Jason Yakich
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Re: Sutro Baths - 01/29 Marsh Wren?
Dominik Mosur
Hi Steven,
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there's usually one that shows up there by mid-winter. Other spots outside their City breeding range where they also can be found this time of year include North Lake in GGP and Crissy lagoon in the Presidio. Dominik
On Fri Jan 29th, 2010 8:12 PM PST slewitzky wrote:
Hey, has anyone seen a Marsh Wren in the swampy area at the Sutro Baths?
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Sutro Baths - 01/29 Marsh Wren?
Steven Lewitzky
Hey, has anyone seen a Marsh Wren in the swampy area at the Sutro Baths?
I think I found one there... I was milling about down there (around 10am) spying on a couple of Common Yellow Throats, when I heard one hell of a racket coming from the reeds/weeds just above the baths. I sat there for like a year and finally after seeing this guy pop in an out various thickets, I got the following shot (actually I got several shots, but they are even worse than this one): http://www.flickr.com/photos/slomofoto/4314618517/ Also, there was a Lincoln Sparrows that seemed to be hanging around. Steven
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Memorial Service for Kris Olson-update
sonny mencher
Several people have asked me if friends from the birding world, who did not know Kris's family were invited to the service - and others asked about appropriate dress - formal or casual.
Here is response from Kris's long time friend. Anyone who would like to come to the memorial service for Kris is very welcome. In terms of dress, I think it will be all across the board, from suit and tie to jeans, with most being somewhere in between. I will be wearing slacks and either a jacket or sweater (probably a jacket, as I think I’ll need the pockets!). I’m almost positive that neither my husband nor my adult son will wear ties Date: Saturday, January 30th Time: 10 am Location: Menlo-Atherton High School - Performing Arts Center Address: 555 Middlefield Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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nothing really
Dan Murphy
That's right, nothing to report. I walked Ocean Beach (Santiago to Stairwell 22 across from GGP) this morning looking for Snowy Plovers and all were gone. The beach was littered with loads of tidal debris right up to the base of the dunes, so the birds fled. If someone sees Snowy Plovers please post it so we might get some idea of where they go when they are forced off the beach.
Good birding, Dan Murphy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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misc. 1/28/10
Dominik Mosur
The ducks reported last week by Brian Fitch on Twin Peaks reservoir continue. I counted (25) RING-NECKED with one male LESSER SCAUP in the mix. Interestingly, the Ring-necked Ducks that had been on Laguna Honda reservoir earlier this month are now gone so it seems they moved up in elevation.
Other stuff of local interest in the Twin Peaks area included a HUTTON'S VIREO singing in the cypresses above the reservoir and a lone PURPLE FINCH calling from the same area. There were big numbers of CEDAR WAXWINGS (100+) along with a couple dozen AMERICAN ROBINS, Crowned Sparrows and a couple FOX SPARROWS around there as well, feeding on Cotoneaster berries. Good birding, Dominik Mosur San Francisco
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BRANT at Fort Point
Phillips, Stephen <sphillips@...>
Yesterday afternoon during a bird hike for Presidio volunteers, we observed 3 BRANT in the bay, foraging near a few WESTERN GREBES. The brant were viewable from the warming hut, looking toward the Golden Gate. Closer to shore were COMMON LOON and PELAGIC CORMORANT.
Sorry for the late post. Steve Phillips San Francisco
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Offshore Ducks
fogeggs
There was some shifting around this morning off of the Sutro Baths, after a
thoroughly quiet morning yesterday. A flock of 12 Northern Pintail and 4 Northern Shovelers flew in appropriately from the north and entered the Gate. Another flock of 3 Double-crested Cormorants, 10 N Pintail and a single American Wigeon flew from N to S, while a separate group of 3 Canada Geese did likewise. Then several bands of D-c Cormorants came out of the Gate, around 70 in total, swirled around the rocks a few times, and then dispersed in various directions. The baths were nearly deserted, with the exception of the local Red-tailed Hawk pair; both were bathing in the brackish water just below the north side cliffs. Last Sunday, the female Nuttall's Woodpecker was showing well in Buena Vista Park, hammering away just below eye level near the NE tennis courts, and at least three different Pine Siskins were singing along the crest of the hill. Brian Fitch
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Ferry Park
angie geiger
Today I took a short walk to Ferry Park at about 2 p.m. Not too much activity at first. Then two R-C Kinglets flew in very agitated with one another. They sat on opposite branches with their crests fully raised and glowing, scolding loudly. This commotion attracted the attention of seemingly every other bird in the park. Altogether, in a matter of three minutes, the following birds flew into the tree to watch: ~12 - 15 White-crowned Sparrows; 4 Anna's Hummingbirds; ~6 Yellow-rumped Warblers; 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler; 1 White-throated Sparrow; and one warbler that was wet - completely soaked through, its feathers sticking together in clumps, making it difficult to see colors and patterns. (My best guess is Orange-crowned Warbler). These birds gathered round like spectators in the surrounding branches and were still there until 2:20 when I had to go. Too bad pishing doesn't work this well.
Enjoy the break in the rain! Angie Geiger
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Potpourri
redhead94109 <redhead94109@...>
On the 4th try, I finally saw the Great-Tailed Grackle. It flew into a
palm tree and preened. I went to Ferry Park and saw the White-throated Sparrow. This bird appeared to be of the white-crowned race. I've seen several tan morphs at Lafayette Park, and the yellow loral spot washes out on the tan birds. The Ferry Park sparrow showed a well-defined yellow loral spot. And the Black-throated Gray Warbler was there, staying low in the canopy, if not on the ground. Walking home and looking east at Polk and Ellis, there was a rainbow. On a flagpole at Geary and Larkin, a Red-tail was in place. Lastly, when I got back to my 5th floor apartment, there was a pair of Red-tails, soaring. Pat McCulloch
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Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival -- April 23-26, 2010 -- Registration Open
will_w04
The first Point Reyes Birding and Nature Festival (April 23-26, 2010) is now open for registration! Some of California's preeminent birders will be leading trips, including Rich Stallcup, Steve Howell, Keith Hansen, Jules Evens, David Wimpfheimer, and Lisa Hug. There will be walks, boat trips, classes, demonstrations, and a pelagic trip to Cordell Bank.
To register online, go to www.pointreyesbirdingfestival.org and sign-up for the walks, events, lectures, and classes that you find most exciting. Some of these trips will be fully subscribed very quickly and registering early is advised. Enrollment will be limited. The Festival is sponsored by the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin, in cooperation with PRBO Conservation Science, Marin Audubon Society, Madrone Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Point Reyes National Seashore, and many other groups. If you have any questions about the Festival, send an email to prbnfestival at gmail.com (use @ symbol) or call the Festival Headquarters at 415-663-9312. You can help make the Festival successful by forwarding this message to your birding and other friends with an interest in nature and the outdoors -- and you can help publicize the Festival by putting a link to it on your website or Facebook page. If there are websites you think the Festival should contact to establish a link, please send an email to prbnfestival at gmail.com (use @ symbol) Also, if you find any problems with the website, please let the sponsors know at once by sending an email to prbnfestival at gmail.com (use @ symbol). Hope to see you at the Festival! Will Wilson Corte Madera
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GGP Hooded Merganser with fishhook(?) in its mouth
alchase_123 <alchase123@...>
Greetings all,
On Jan 19 I observed and photographed a male Hooded Merganser with what appears to be a fish hook, one end inside its mouth, the other end curving back beside its head. I didn't notice the item until I looked closely at my photos. The photos are in the SFBirds album cleverly entitled "Al Chase." At that time the bird was on Lloyd Lake with three other male Hooded Mergansers and several (I didn't count them) females. Has anyone else seen this bird? If so at Lloyd Lake or elsewhere? A wild animal rescue team from WildRescue (wildrescue.org) may be coming to GGP to give the bird appropriate care. At that time they or I may contact SFBirds to get the location of the most recent sighting. Thanks! -- Al Chase
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