The Redwood Region Audubon Society
Field Notes

September 20 to October 20, 1996

An outstanding September, one of the best for vagrants in many years. The rain gods emerged from their summer aestivation and started trying to figure out how to do it again in the past few days. Some rather strange patterns, perhaps related to the severe dry conditions here in late summer; among these were 3-4 times the normal number of SCRUB JAYS wandering into the lowlands, more than usual numbers of CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS, and many more than normal numbers of SAY'S PHOEBES (10 reported this fall so far).

HIGHLIGHTS: YELLOW RAIL: One was flushed and well seen as it flew across an opening showing distinct white patches in the secondaries at the small pocket marsh at the extreme SW corner of the Vigo Street Marsh, 27 Sep (TA). This could hardly be anything else and is only about the 5th ever Northcoast record: BAR-TAILED GODWIT: 1 seen and photographed (good, clear photos), Eel River Wildlife Area (ERWA), 2 Oct (SM): SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER: 1, ERWA, 25 Sep-9 Oct (SM, DF, JP, BC, KN); 1, Arcata Bottoms, 2-3 Oct (KI): RUFF: 1, Klopp Lake, 23-25 Sep (EE, KS); 1, ERWA, 30 Sep (SM): BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: 1 Fly-by (no details!), Cape Mendocino, 27 Sep (JS): BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO: 1, Fairhaven (Horse Pasture), 2 Oct (holdover from last month's report) (CO, BR, J & KH): COMMON POORWILL: 1, Kneeland, 26 Sep (AD): YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: 1 female, Willow Creek, 9 Oct (TL): RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER: 1 male reported, no details, Harris, 6 Oct (MB).
Flycatchers

SAY'S PHOEBE: 1, McKinleyville, 26 Sep (TL); 1, Little River, 28 Sep (KI); 2, Bear River Ridge, 29 Sep (KH, et al.--this is the third party this fall to see 2 in one day, so much for that record!); 1, Pilot Ridge, 1 Oct (GS); 1, Centerville Navy Station, 19 Oct (SM): TROPICAL KINGBIRD: 1, Table Bluff, 3 Oct (CO, SM); 1, AMP, 7 Oct (GF): MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD: 8 (!), Bear River Ridge, 14 Oct (CO): SAGE THRASHER: 1, Westhaven, 28-29 Sep (GH, GS, BR); 1, Arcata Bottoms (AB) 2 Oct (CR): BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL: 1, Caspar Creek just south of Ft. Bragg, 27-29 Sep (JW, DT) (could this be the same bird that was at Crescent City about a week earlier?): LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: 1, Mad River County Park, 8 Oct (DG): YELLOW-THROATED VIREO: 1, Houda Point, 27 Sep-1 Oct (TL, et al.): PHILADELPHIA VIREO: 1, Salt River, 2 Oct (SM): WARBLERS: SINCE 1 SEPTEMBER, WE HAVE RECORDED 28 SPECIES!--AN OUTSTANDING FALL. In 1996, since 1 January , we have recorded 32 species. This is the best fall in many years for these and reminds some of the old timers of the nostalgic days of 1975 and 1976. We still have 2 or 3 species to find, so let's get out and get them! Things have slowed down since about 10 Oct: TENNESSEE WARBLER: 1, Salt River, 7 Oct (SM); 1, Salt River, 11 Oct (SM) (2 different birds): CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: 1, Houda Point, 29 Sep (GS, BR): BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: 1, Fairhaven, 3 Oct (RLeV); 1, Horse Pasture, 4 Oct (DJ): BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: 1, Clam Beach Lagoons, 30 Sep (SM): BLACKPOLL WARBLER: 1, caught, banded, photographed, Lanphere Dunes, 23 Sep (fide CJR); 1, Little River, 28 Sep (KI); 1, Houda Point, 29 Sep (SM GS, BR); 1, Fairhaven (Horse Pasture), 29 Sep-2 Oct (KH, GH, RS, CO, BR); 1, Salt River, 2-7 Oct (SM); 1, Shay Park, 5 Oct (RJA): PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: 1, Clam Beach Lagoons, 30 Sep-2 Oct (SM, SH, GH, DJ, et al.): OVENBIRD: 1, caught, banded, photographed, Lanphere Dunes, 23 Sep (fide, CJR): NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: 1, Clam Beach (rose patch), 28 Sep-1 Oct (TL, GH); 1, Elk Head, 30 Sep (BF); 1, ERWA, 4 Oct (GH): KENTUCKY WARBLER: 1, Butcher Slough Pond, Arcata Marsh Project, 5-7 Oct. (SB, P&SS, et al.): HOODED WARBLER: 1, Houda Point, 28-29 Sep (KI, GS, BR).
Grosbeaks and Sparrows

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: 1, Bayshore Mall, 24-26 Sep (DF): CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: 1, Singley Bar, near Fernbridge, 25 Sep (JS); 1, Mt. Trashmore, 11 Oct (BC); 1, Shelter Cove, 19 Oct (DF, JP): BREWER'S SPARROW: 1, Scenic Drive, Trinidad, 27 Sep (JS): VESPER SPARROW: 1, McKinleyville, 26 Sep (TL); 1-2, Houda Point, 28-29 Sep (JH, GS, BR); 1, Trinidad, 30 Sep (DF, JP); 1, Lanphere Road, 5 Oct (CJR, et al.); 1, Shelter Cove, 19 Oct (DF, JP): CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR: 1, ERWA, 4 Oct (SM): TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD: 1, Hayfork, 12 Oct (JH, GH): YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: 1, AB, 2 Oct (GH):

NOTES FROM THE TRAVEL DESK: ARRIVALS, DEPARTURES, HANGERS-ON!

PACIFIC LOON: 1, winter plumage, Lewiston Lake, 13 Oct (GH, JH): HORNED GREBE: 1, King Salmon, 26 Sep (SM): EARED GREBE: 1, ERWA, 2 Oct (SM): BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS: 7-15, offshore, Eureka, 30-31 Aug (HG, update); 4, offshore Eureka to 17 miles, 12 Oct (JP, DF, JJ): SOOTY SHEARWATER: "many", offshore Eureka, 30-31 Aug (HG); 30, offshore Eureka to 17 miles, 12 Oct (JP, DF, JJ): BULLER'S SHEARWATER: 2-4, offshore Eureka, 30-31 Aug (HG); 100 (!), to 17 miles off Eureka, 12 Oct (DF, JP, JJ): PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER: 2-3, off Eureka, 30-31 Aug (HG); 1, off Eureka to 20 miles, 13 Sep (HG); 10, off Eureka to 17 miles, 12 Oct (DF, JP, JJ): GREAT EGRET: 8 (!), Sylvan Glade on upper Eel River, 30 Sep (JG): CATTLE EGRET: 4-5, AMP, Moxon Road, 1-3 Oct (SH,GH): 1, ERWA, 3 Oct (GH).
Geese and Ducks

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: 1, Big Lagoon, 26 Sep (MH); 1, Stone Lagoon, 28-29 Sep (CJR); 1, AB, 28 Sep (RJA); 18-25 (2 counts), Lanphere Road, 2 Oct (CR, DJ); 14, Samoa Blvd, 2 Oct (RJA); 12, ERWA, 2 Oct (SM); 11-100, AB, 4-9 Oct (GH, PSP, RJA); 16-30, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 7-19 Oct (PS, RH): SNOW GOOSE: 80 flyover, Bull Creek, 16 Oct (JG): SMALL CANADA GOOSE (Race undetermined): 200 fly-by, Eel River Bottoms, 24 Sep (SM): ALEUTIAN CANADA GOOSE: 6, Alexandre Dairy, 3 Oct (fide PSp); 16 flyby, ERWA, 16 Oct (PSc):CACKLING CANADA GOOSE: 3, Hookton Road (SM); 40± flyby, Fay Slough, 15 Oct (PS): WOOD DUCK: 25, Clam Beach Lagoons, 17 Oct (TL): BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 1 male, AMP (log pond), 24 Sep-20-Oct (JP, SH, MM, MW): EURASIAN WIGEON: 1, Hookton Road, 25 Sep (SM): REDHEAD: 5, Eureka Sewage Marshes, 19 Oct (SM): RING-NECKED DUCK: 15, AMP (log pond), 3 Oct (SH); 3, Eureka Sewage Marshes, 19 Oct (SM): HARLEQUIN DUCK: 6, MacKerricher State Park, 20 Sep (DT): HOODED MERGANSER: 1 female, ERWA, 25 Sep (SM); 2, Mouth Little River, 2 Oct (TL): NORTHERN GOSHAWK: 1, Salmon Mountain, 28 Sep (KL, GL, et al.); 1, Fickle Hill, 7 Oct (KSu): GOLDEN EAGLE: 1, Bear River Ridge, 29 Sep (KH, et al.): ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: 4, Cape Mendocino Beach Bluffs, 14 Oct (CO): FERRUGINOUS HAWK: 1, Azalea Hill, 17 Oct (GL): MERLIN: 1, North Jetty, 20 Sep (DJ); 1, near Grouse Mountain, 22 Sep (RLeV); 1, Little River State Beach, 22 Sep (KS); 1, McKinleyville, 24 Sep (TL); 2, AB, 5 Oct (PSp); 1, Hayfork, 12 Oct (GH, JH); 1, North Spit, 14 Oct (KS); 1, McKinleyville, 18 Oct (TL): PEREGRINE FALCON: 1, offshore Eureka, 30 Aug (HG): 1 imm, Manila, 20 Sep (KS, DJ); 1, King Salmon, 28 Sep (KS); 1, Fairhaven, 29 Sep (TL); 2, Klopp Lake, 25 Sep (KS); 1, Big Lagoon, 26 Sep (MH); 1, AB, 3 Oct (KI); 2, Mad River Co. Park, 4 Oct (TL); 1, AB, 4 Oct (TL); 2, AMP, 5 Oct (SL, et al.); 1, ERWA, 9 Oct (KN, BC), 2, erwa, 14 Oct (DF): RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1 male, AB, 4 Oct (TL): BLUE GROUSE: 1, Fickle Hill, 26 Sep (JaS): RUFFED GROUSE: 1, Happy Camp Campground, 75 airline miles east of Willow Creek, 17 Oct (TL).
Shorebirds

GOLDEN PLOVER SP: 1, AB, 3 Oct (RLeV); 1, ERWA (possible American Golden Plover), 3-4 Oct (GH, SM): PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER: 12, ERWA, 3 Oct (GH); 1, North Jetty, 14 Oct (KS): SNOWY PLOVER: 2 flocks of 27 and 5 at Clam Beach, 15 Oct (TL): BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: 1, ERWA, 2 Oct (SM): RED KNOT: 1, ERWA, 25 Sep (SM); 5-12+, Klopp Lake, 25 Sep-9 Oct (KS, MM, SH): PECTORAL SANDPIPER: Continuing the outstanding flight of these this year: 11, Eureka Sewage Marshes, 22 Sep (BD); 3, Mouth of Redwood Creek, 24 Sep (MH); 66 (!), Moxon Dairy Pond, 26 Sep (DF), some still present 2 Oct (GH); 10, Lanphere Road, 2 Oct ( GH, KI); up to 20, ERWA, 2-4 Oct (SM, GH); 3, Ruth Lake, 12 Oct (JH, GH); 2, Hayfork, 12 Oct (JH, GH): POMARINE JAEGER: 2, North Jetty, 20 Sep (KS, DJ): 4, to 17 miles off Eureka, 12 Oct (JP, DF, JJ): SOUTH POLAR SKUA: 1, 9.7 miles WSW Eureka, 12 Oct; 1, 13 miles WSW Eureka, 12 Oct (both DF, JP, JJ) (ties the latest ever seasonal record): MEW GULL: 1, Arcata Oxidation Pond, 9 Oct (SH); 7, Ferndale Oxidation Pond, 19 Oct (SM): HERRING GULL: 1, Freshwater Lagoon, 4 Oct (KI); 1, ERWA, 4 Oct (GH): BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: 4, off Eureka, 30 August (HG); 1, Shelter Cove, 19 Oct (DF, JP): SABINE'S GULL: 1, North Jetty, 9 Oct (BC, KN): COMMON TERN: 4, King Salmon, week of 20 Sep (SM): MARBLED MURRELET: 4, 20 miles off Eureka, 13 Sep (HG): RHINOCEROS AUKLET: 5, to 17 miles off Eureka, 12 Oct (DF, JP, JJ): CASSIN'S AUKLET: 1, 20 miles off Eureka, 13 Sep (HG); 450, almost all flying south up to 17 miles off Eureka, 12 Oct (DF, JP, JJ): NORTHERN PYGMY OWL: 1, hooting, Lone Pine Ridge, 17 Oct (TL): BURROWING OWL: 1, Willow Creek, 3 Oct (TL): NORTHERN SAW WHET OWL: 1, Stone Lagoon, 28 Sep (CJR): NIGHTHAWK SP. (Probably Common): 1, Bayside, 24 Sep (DF): WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER: 4, Lassic Mtns, 6 Oct (GL): NORTHERN FLICKER: 1 intergrade, mostly Yellow-shafted, Salt River, 19 Oct (SM): PILEATED WOODPECKER: 1 pair, Humboldt Redwoods S.P., 1 Oct (JG).
Flycatchers again

WILLOW FLYCATCHER: 1, AMP, 24 Sep (JP); 1, Houda Point, 29 Sep-1 Oct (GS, KI): HORNED LARK: 1, Bald Hills Road, 24 Sep (MH): TREE SWALLOW: 85 (! --pretty late for this many at once), Waterman Ridge, 17 Oct (TL): BANK SWALLOW: 1, AMP, 24 Sep (EE): GRAY JAY: 2, Fickle Hill, 7 Oct (KSu): SCRUB JAY: 1, Azalea Hill, 29 Sep-1 Oct (GL); 1, FieldBrook, 29 Sep (SC); 1, Cape Mendocino, 2 Oct (KI); 10, Smith River, 2 Oct (AB); 21 (!), Endert's Beach, 3 Oct (AB); 1, Arcata, 7 Oct (EE); 3, Centerville Naval Station, 19 Oct (SM): CLARK'S NUTCRACKER: 16, near Grouse Mountain, 22 Sep (RLeV); 1, Titlow Hill Road, 26 Sep (JS): MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE: 1, Fairhaven, 3 Oct (RLeV, JS): RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: x, Horse Pasture, 22 Sep (BD): WESTERN BLUEBIRD: 12, Shelter Cove, 19 Oct (DF, JP): TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE: 1, near Grouse Mountain, 22 Sep (RLeV): SWAINSON'S THRUSH: 1, AMP, 7 Oct (JS): AMERICAN ROBIN: 1 juv still in spotted plumage, pretty late, Sunny Brae, 23 Sep (SH): VARIED THRUSH: 1, Azalea Hill, 4 Oct (RR): NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD: 1, Hydesville, 18 Oct (IC); 1, Arcata, 18 Oct (KSu); 2, Shelter Cove, 19 Oct (DF, JP): AMERICAN PIPIT: "small flock", Fickle Hill, 26 Sep (JaS): CEDAR WAXWING: 300+, Butcher Slough Pond blackberries, 1 Oct (SH): SOLITARY VIREO: 1, Mouth Mattole River, 29 Sep (KH, et al.); 1, Houda Point, 29 Sept (DF, et al.) (This bird thought to be a bright "Eastern" type); 1, Orick Dump, 4 Oct (KI); 1, Hilfiker Lane, 20 Oct (JH, TL).
More Warblers

NASHVILLE WARBLER: 1, Houda Point, 29 Sep (GS, BR): BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER: 1, Houda Point, 28 Sep (JH); 1, ERWA, 4 Oct (GH); 1, Shay Park, 5 Oct (RJA); 1, Salt River, 7-11 Oct (SM): HERMIT WARBLER: 1, Houda Point, 28 Sep (JH); 1, Clam Beach, 29 Sep (GH); 1, Cape Mendocino, 2 Oct (KI); 1, North Spit, 3 Oct (KI): PALM WARBLER: 1, Westhaven, 29 Sep (GS, BR); 1, Little River, 1 Oct (KI); 1, Manila, 8 Oct (GH); 1, AB, 8 Oct (GH); 1, Capetown, 8 Oct (KI); 1, North Spit, 9 Oct (KN, BC): WESTERN TANAGER: 5, Houda Point, 28 Sep (JH, et al.): CHIPPING SPARROW: 1, Azalea Hill, 29 Sep (GL): WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: 1, Willow Creek, 7 Oct (TL); 2-3 at my feeders in SunnyBrae by 15 Oct (SH): FOX SPARROW: suddenly became common in lowlands 20-21 Sep (many observers): GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW: 1-5 at my feeders in Sunny Brae, 27-29 Sep (SH): LAPLAND LONGSPUR: 2, Cape Mendocino, 27 Sep (JS); several, AB, 29 Sep (GH); 1-5, ERWA, 4 Oct (GH, SM); 1, Bear River Ridge, 15 Oct (MM); 1, ERWA, 19 Oct (SM): CASSIN'S FINCH: x, Titlow Hill Road, 27 Sep ; x, Whitey's Peak, 28 Sep; 5, Lassics, 6 Oct (All GL): EVENING GROSBEAK: 10±, Westhaven, 12 Sep (TL); 2, Elk Head, 25 Sep (TL); 14, Loleta, 19 Oct (MW): 1, Shelter Cover, 19 Oct (DF,JP).

Many thanks to the following who submitted reports for this month's Sandpiper; keep up the good work: R. J. Adams, Todd Arnold, Mark Bailey, Alan Barron, Susie Bulger, Sheri Cappo, Bryon Cariss, Irene Crane, Anthony Desch, Bruce Deuel, Elias Elias, David Fix, Brad Freeman,. Gary Friedrichsen, John Gaffin, Dan Garrison, Hal Genger, Stan Harris, Gjon Hazard, Rob Hewitt, Matt Hinton, Kim and John Hunter, Ken Irwin, Jeff Jacobson, Dave Juliano, Tom Leskiw, Gary and Kelsey Lester, Ron LeValley, Sharon Levy, Sean McAllister, Michael Morris, Kristy Nelson, Chet Ogan, Jude Power, C. J. and Carol Ralph, Richard Ridenhour, Bill Rodstrom, Rich Sawyer, Greg Schmidt, Pete Schmidt, Jay Seegar, Joan Sikkens, Keith Slauson, Paul Springer, Peter and Sara Starr, John Sterling, K. Sundeen, Dorothy Tobkin, Matt Wachs, Jerry White.

Record your observations on the Arcata Bird Box, (707) 822-LOON (822-5666), call them directly to me, (707) 822, 3802, mail them to me at 1595 Charles Ct, Arcata, 95521, or write them on the rare bird board outside of Room 204, The Wildlife Building, Humboldt State University Campus.

Redwood Region Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502
Last updated October 1996