The female Surf Scoter is still here as of 9:20. With its bill tucked away almost the entire time.

JOIN SAN JOAQUIN AUDUBON FOR A NEW KIND OF FIELD TRIP:  “DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) FIELD TRIP”

Here’s how it works: 
·      SESSION I (Virtual) (Thursday, October 29)  A Zoom meeting with the field trip leader.  For this first time out, Pat Paternostro will introduce a local birding site—Lodi Lake Nature Area—and the birds you’re likely to see there, such as  Wood Duck, Hermit Thrush, Coopers Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Fox Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warbler. (Birders of all levels are welcome).
·      SESSION 1+ is the DIY part:  before the next Zoom meeting, you visit the birding location, where you’ll look for the listed birds and other wildlife.  Take binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them and keep a list of your observations.  Please follow all COVID-19 precautions when you are in the field: wearing masks, observing social distancing and hand washing.
·      SESSION 2 (Virtual) Usually the third week after the first meeting,  participants join again on Zoom, sharing what they found, and there will be an introduction to the next DIY field trip location.

--
Alan England, Stockton

That sounds exactly like where I had one late this past winter.

With the windy day we decided to visit Statin island & Woodbridge Road (West)

Statin Island: Watch for trucks as harvesting is till going on. There were thousands of cacklers flying around from the east side of the road to the west side. There was a tractor disturbing them with his plowing on the east side. There several hundred cranes. There is one small section on the east side of the paved road that was flooded. hundreds of ducks hunkered down together due to the wind. I was only able to ID few ducks that took flight. There was a glacaus-winged gull. We visited Statin Island about 9;30 AM.

Woodbridge Road. Watch for trucks. No cranes in the South Isenberg Preserve but lots of ducks hunkered down due to the wind. The South is completely flooded. The light being better I was able to ID several species of ducks. Like mallards, gadwalls, pintails, shovelers & so on. A rice field down by the entrance to the Black Hole is flooded. Hundreds of cranes are gathered there. Also 3 great egrets & one great blue heron. Hundreds of Brewers & Redwing blackbirds. There quite few tree swallows flying around the fields. Everything has been harvested almost all the way to the end of the road. We also saw 2 merlins, 2 kestrels, 6 red tailed hawks & 2 harriers.
The north Preserve was being mowed near the fence by the turnout. We visited Woodbridge Road about 11am. Dave & Pat

I joined Henry K, Srini & Kamala R, and Rosie R early yesterday evening (10/17) to observe the annual October Tree Swallow swarm east of Tracy yesterday.  We observed well over 20K over the lush green corn fields to the immediate south by standing at the fishing access along Tom Paine slough just off Canal Blvd.  Having observed this phenomenon in past years (2008, 2013, and 2018), this appeared to be considerably reduced from those years, but nevertheless very impressive.  We really had to strain our eyes to see the countless dark specks in coordinated flight in the waning light.  Unfortunately, once you find these birds, it is a race with the setting sun, so there is no time to go racing off to find a better viewing spot, but afterwards I checked a map, and it looks like better/closer viewing might be had from W Arbor Ave, just west of the large farm operation at Arbor & Paradise Rd.  Photography was impossible due to the fading light & distance. 

Remember, this is an ephemeral phenomenon—the birds will probably be gone by this time next week or earlier if the farmer chooses to harvest the corn.  (We heard several repeated gunshots, apparently an attempt by the owner to the east to discourage the birds from settling in the corn—even though swallows are insectivores and whose only interest in the corn is to find a safe place to rest for the night.)  These birds are largely migrants from the Yukon and British Columbia on their way south to Mexico for the winter.  

Be aware: evening weekday traffic along the freeways here is HORRIBLE, so if you’re gonna go, I’d recommend today (Sunday).  Please report your success (or not) via this listserve or eBird (or both).  

Relevant eBird reports are:  

2020

https://ebird.org/checklist/S75012553

https://ebird.org/checklist/S74912216

Previous years

2013-10-25 17:50	Tree Swallow roost A (2013)	San Joaquin	US-CA	View or edit |
2013-10-24 18:00	Tree Swallow roost A (2013)	San Joaquin	US-CA	View or edit |
2013-10-22 18:00	Tree Swallow roost A (2013)	San Joaquin	US-CA	View or edit |
2013-10-21 18:00	Tree Swallow roost A (2013)	San Joaquin	US-CA	View or edit |
2013-10-20 18:18	Tree Swallow roost A (2013)	San Joaquin	US-CA	View or edit |
2013-10-19 18:10	Tree Swallow roost A (2013)	San Joaquin	US-CA	View or edit

2018-10-11 18:35 1039–1599 W Lorenzen Rd, Tracy US-CA (37.7273,-121.3227) San Joaquin US-CA View or edit  Jim Rowoth Stockton

--
Jim Rowoth
Stockton, CA

JOIN SAN JOAQUIN AUDUBON FOR A NEW KIND OF FIELD TRIP:  “DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) FIELD TRIP”

 

Here’s how it works: 

 

·      SESSION I (Virtual) (Thursday, October 29)  A Zoom meeting with the field trip leader.  For this first time out, Pat Paternostro will introduce a local birding site—Lodi Lake Nature Area—and the birds you’re likely to see there, such as  Wood Duck, Hermit Thrush, Coopers Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Fox Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warbler. (Birders of all levels are welcome).

 

·      SESSION 1+ is the DIY part:  before the next Zoom meeting, you visit the birding location, where you’ll look for the listed birds and other wildlife.  Take binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them and keep a list of your observations.  Please follow all COVID-19 precautions when you are in the field: wearing masks, observing social distancing and hand washing.

 

Alan England, Stockton

Our first area to bird was Cord Road. Very dry. Northing unusual. Lincoln, savannah & white crown sparrows, house finches, lesser goldfinches. Western meadowlarks, Redwing & brewers blackbirds. & so on

second area was Gerardot Stables about 9:20am. 2 pond all dry. Decreased water volume in the big pond. The big sighting was the phainopepla. Was quite cooperative. It was sitting in the top on one of tree lining the big pond. It flew around catching insects. The big pond had 3 american white pelicans, at least 10 double crested cormorants, an eared grebe, Ringed-necked ducks, gadwalls, ruddy ducks, american wigeons, mallards, Snowy & great egrets, great blue heron, one herring gull & so on.

Our last area was McIntyre Road. Was saw 12 turkey vultures eatig & waiting to eat a dead rabbit along the side of the road.There Was another 20 soaring. We saw at least 20 ravens soaring over the road.

The Day Use Park was busy so we did not bird that area. Dave & Pat

Couple of days back, Jim Rowth, Henery and I went to Kasson Rd area in Tracy to look for Tree Swallow roost. All of the corn field were harvested and we returned disappointed. Today I went to Tracy Sewage pond area looking for Tree Swallow  and I came across large number of Tree Swallow fling above the corn field. I decided to stop and watch. Jim Rowth was messaging me what to watch out for. Around 6:40PM, the tree swallows started swoping down and within few seconds the tree swallows all disappeared into the corn field. It was just spectacular to see the behavior. 

From Grand Line Rd take Mac Arthur Dr

You will see Tracy Sewage pond on your left

Keep going in Mac Arthur Dr

Take right on Canal Blvd

After Tom Paine Rd intersection, you will see corn field on the right

There are some trees between the road and the corn field, so find a spot (on Canal Blvd) which has good view of the corn field.

Enjoy!.

Pat & I went out to the Isenberg Preserve this morning. We saw 4 ringed necked ducks, one redhead & one male eurasian wigeon. We also saw Ibis, cranes, shovelers, pintails, gadwalls, cacklers, greater-white fronted geese, Stilts & so on. Thanks to Jim Rowoth for the update. Dave

--
Jim Rowoth
Stockton, CA

Reminder, if you live in San Joaquin Co and you would like a copy of our 2019 birding finding guide to San Joaquin Co, you can get one delivered personally into your hot little hands by Jim Rowoth on Thursday, Oct 15, for only $10--no postage or handling. You just need to let him know before that date so he can add you (and your address) to his list. He will make the rounds of the county on that date and will be in touch to give you an approximate time window once he has a complete list of names and maps out his route!  Either call 209-487-3489 or email at rowoth AT sbcglobal DOT net--BEFORE this coming Thursday!

If you don't live in San Joaquin Co, don't despair! You can get a copy by contacting Alan England (wdchkgsqrl AT yahoo DOT com), who will send you one by mail, for $13 (covers shipping & handling).  

With no end in sight to this pandemic and winter approaching, birding is a great excuse to get outside and reconnect with nature!
--
Jim Rowoth
Stockton, CA

AUDUBON VIRTUAL GENERAL MEETING w/ Sierra Club

TUESDAY, October 13   7:00 pm

VIRTUAL JOINT MEETING WITH DELTA-SIERRA CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB

Dr. Nancy Muleady-Mecham

“Water Harvest”

 

“Doc Nancy” has been a popular presenter on a number of occasions to SJ Audubon.   She has been a Fulbright Scholar and has a Ph.D. in Biology.  She is a retired National Park Ranger, Paramedic, Wildland Firefighter.  She is an Adjunct Professor at Northern Arizona University and teaches also at Columbia College.

 

Here's the link to the meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87150312226?pwd=UEFjVXY2SCtvS2p1MDJyTnd6MHpLUT09#success

Water Harvest, Nancy E. Muleady-Mecham, Ph.D.

Oct 13, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

--
Alan England, Stockton

Based on what Pat Paternostro reported seeing at Hutchin Street Square we visited there this morning.
We saw cedar waxwings & yellow rump warblers plus a few others. But the west side of Thomas A. Peterson park by the play ground was a bonanza. Purple finches, lesser gold finches, cedar waxwings, yellow rump warblers, western blue birds, White crowned & golden crowned sparrows, dark eyed juncos & so on. The chinese pistache trees are also producing berries at Thomas A.Peterson Park.

AUDUBON GENERAL MEETING Via Zoom

TUESDAY, October 13   7:00 pm

VIRTUAL JOINT MEETING WITH DELTA-SIERRA CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB

Dr. Nancy Muleady-Mecham

“Water Harvest”

 

Join Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Nancy Muleady-Mecham for this insightful presentation on water, its properties, occurrence, use, and power. She will discuss nature, history, location and use…..so much to learn about our precious resource here in California.

 

More about Dr. Muleady-Mecham in her own words - “I am a retired National Park Ranger and have served for over 30 years as a National Registry Certified Paramedic, a Flight Nurse, Board certified (in Emergency Medicine), and as a Registered Nurse in Level One Trauma Center Emergency Rooms. I am a MICN (Mobile Intensive Care Nurse) and an EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Instructor. I served as a Search and Rescue Specialist (SAR) using High Angle Rescue, Swift Water, and Short Haul skills. I served as a Structural Firefighter, Engineer, and Fire Captain on Structural Fire Brigades. I also worked as a Wildland Firefighter and on an initial attack PTO Wildland Fire crew, and a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. I am a State of California Emergency Response Team Member. I am also an Adjunct Professor at Northern Arizona University with a Ph.D. in Biology. I teach subjects in biology, anatomy and physiology and medicine, pathology, astronomy, and forestry and conduct research on Giant Sequoia ecology. My passion is teaching and when I was approached by Columbia College, welcomed the opportunity to teach locally.

 

Here's the link to the meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87150312226?pwd=UEFjVXY2SCtvS2p1MDJyTnd6MHpLUT09

Water Harvest, Nancy E. Muleady-Mecham, Ph.D.
Oct 13, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

--
Alan England, Stockton