Field Notes

by Stan Harris

29 November 2004 - 6 January 2005

Generally a dry period except for a week of rain beginning Christmas Day. Fields went from dry to flooded in 3-4 days. Christmas Bird Counts have come and gone, no real surprises, looks like Arcata CBC tied its old all-time record for species seen with 182! Dates for CBCs = Arcata 18 Dec; Del Norte, 19 Dec; Willow Creek, 24 Dec; Centerville, 2 Jan.

 Abbreviations Used: AB = Arcata Bottoms, AMP = Arcata Marsh Project; AOP = Arcata Oxidation Pond; BSLP = Butcher Slough Log Pond; EL = Expected Location; EM = Expected Migrant; EMSN = Expected Migrant in Small Numbers; ERB = Eel River Bottoms; ES = Escape; FL = Fields Landing; FR = Few Records; GW = Gee Whiz report; HBNWR = Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge; ID = Interesting Date; IIT = Interesting, if true; IL = Interesting Location; IN = Interesting Numbers; KS = King Salmon; LC = Lake Cleone; LMR = Lower Mad River; LP = Laguna Point; MKOP = McKinleyville Oxidation Pond; MKSP = MacKerricher State Park; mo = Many Observers; MS = Monitored Species; NC = Not Confirmed by a second party; NJ = North Jetty; N/SJ = North/South Jetty; SB = South Bay; SJ = South Jetty;

White-fronted Goose (FR): 3, LC, 21 Nov-20 Dec (DT): 4, HBNWR, 2 Jan (EE); Cackling Goose (FR): 3, LC, 21 Nov -20 Dec (DT); 2, Ft. Bragg Botanical Gardens, 3 Dec (DT); Aleutian Cackling Goose (EM): 1,900, HBNWR, 2 Jan (EE): Tundra Swan (EM); 6-18, Arcata CBC; 500-600, Centerville CBC; Mute Swan (ES); 1, Essex Pond, 18 Dec (JHe); 1, Salt River, 2 Jan (JT, RG); Eurasian Wigeon (EMSN): 1, MKOP, 4 Dec (KR); 1, AB, 4 Dec (JK); 3 males, 1 female, AOP, 22 Dec (EE); 1 imm. male, Pudding Creek, 1-9 Dec (DT); 3, HBNWR, 3 Jan (RF, MW, DJ); Blue-winged Teal (EMSN): 1-2 females, BSLP, 22 Dec-6 Jan (EE); 1, Centerville CBC; Eurasian Green-winged Teal (EMSN): 1, AMP, 15 Dec (JW); 2, HBNWR, 3 Jan (RF, DJ, MW); Redhead (FR, IN): 3-1, BSLP, 4 Dec (JT); 478 (1 tight flock), SB, 2 Jan (RF); Harlequin (FR); up to 11, MKSP, 21 Nov-20 Dec (DT); 1 pair, KS, 25 Dec-2 Jan (SC, et al.); 1, N/SJ, 25 Dec-2 Jan (SC, RF); Long-tailed Duck (FR): 1-2, LMR, 29 Nov-5 Dec (DF, et al.); 1, Big Lagoon, 3 Dec (JD); 1, SB, 27 Dec-2 Jan (MW, SH); White-winged Scoter (IN): 368+, Centerville CBC; Black Scoter (MS): 1, N/SJ, 18 Dec, 2 Jan (KR, RF); 2, off Lanphere Dunes, 18 Dec (BA); up to 20, MKSP, 21 Nov-20 Dec (DT); Common Goldeneye (EMSN): 1-2 LMR, 2-12 Dec (SC, JPh, JK); 3, KS, 25-26 Dec (DW, LC, SC); 1, Big Lagoon, 27 Dec (MM); Barrow’s Goldeneye (FR): 1 female, FL, 5 Dec (MW); 1 male, FL, 22 Dec (MW); Hooded Merganser (EMSN): 1, AB, 30 Nov (KR); 1, LMR, 4 Dec (JK); 2-4, KS, 10 Dec-2 Jan (MW, et al.); 16, Grizzly Bluff Road, 2 Jan (CO, DJ);

Ruffed Grouse (FR): 1, Terwer Creek, 15 Nov (RLeV); 1, Hurdy Gurdy Creek, 23 Nov (JD); Red-throated Loon (EM): 40, MKSP, 21 Nov (DT); Pacific Loon (EM): 200, MKSP, 21 Nov (DT); 9, Centerville CBC; possible Arctic Loon (GW, IIT, NC): 1 reported, ID based on white blaze at waterline of swimming bird, Trinidad Bay, 27 Dec (MeH); Pied-billed Grebe (IL): 1, Eel Rock, 5 Dec (JG); Red-necked Grebe (EL): 1-2, Entrance Bay at KS, 25 Dec-2 Jan (SC, SH, RF); 6-8, Eureka Channel, 3-6 Jan (EE, RF); Northern Fulmar: 1-10, vic. MKSP, 24 Nov-3 Dec (DT); 2, off Centerville Beach, 2 Jan (RS); Brown Pelican (ID): singles at Eureka, Sinkyone Wilderness, and Centerville Beach, 8, 14, 26 Dec, 2 Jan (JD, EE, RS); American Bittern (FR): 1, BSLP, Arcata, CBC , 12 Dec- 5 Jan (TMcK&H, SH); Cattle Egret (FR): 2-4, AB, 3-4 Dec (KR, JK); 1-2, BSLP, 18 Dec-3 Jan (JT, SC); Green Heron (ID): 1, Arcata CBC;

Turkey Vulture (ID, IL): 1, Willow Creek CBC; Osprey (ID): singles at Big Lagoon, North Bay, Table Bluff, Benbow, LC, 30 Nov-2 Jan (mo); White-tailed Kite: 24 (1 roost), HBNWR, 19 Nov (EN); 5-6, pre-roost gathering, Greenwood Hts, 25-29 Dec (JC); 10, pre-roost, Cutten, 5 Jan (DA); 1, Outlook Overflow, Willits, 1 Jan (JT, RG); Bald Eagle (MS): 7 reports of 1-2 at Hawkins Bar, Weitchpec, Centerville Beach, Eel Rock, Miranda, near Benbow, and one found dead in a fence on Metropolitan Road, 21 Nov-2 Jan (mo); Northern Goshawk (FR): 1 ad, Horse Mtn, 24 Dec (GL); Harlan’s Hawk (FR): 1, 101 x Freshwater Slough, fuzzy photo, 21 Dec (RF); Ferruginous Hawk (EMSN): 5 reports of 1 (mostly)-2 from AB, near Willits, Bald Hill at Ft. Bragg, 21 Nov-2 Jan (DT, BA, SH, JT, RG, et al.); Rough-legged Hawk (FR): 1, Wildcat Road, 10 Dec, 2 Jan (RW, CO, DJ); Golden Eagle (EL): 3 reports of 1-2 at Benbow, Garberville, Snow Camp Road, 21 Nov-5 Dec (JS, JD); Merlin (MS): 11 reports of 1-2 from AB, Eureka, Centerville CBC, 29 Nov-2 Jan (mo); Peregrine (EM): 21 reports of 1-3 from Big Lagoon, AB, AMP, Manila, Eureka, SB, SJ, HBNWR, ERB, 13 Nov-2 Jan (mo); Prairie Falcon (FR): 1, Centerville Beach, 2 Jan (RS, JS);

Crested Caracara (GW): 1, Indian Island, 29 Dec (SMa, fide KR); Common Moorhen (FR): 1, BSLP, 11 Dec-4 Jan (DD, JT, EE); Sandhill Crane (GW): 40-50 flyby going south high over Fortuna, good phone description of call, shape, and wing beat, 26 Dec (SD, CC); Black Oystercatcher (EL): 2, N/SJ, 5 Dec, 2 Jan (KR, SM, RF); Lesser Yellowlegs (EMSN): 1-24, KS, 4 Dec-2 Jan (MW, SH, et al.); 1, AB, 14-18 Dec (BA); Long-billed Curlew (IN): 40, near Ferndale, 22 Dec (RC); 120 near Arcata, 18 Dec (SH, JC, KB); Ruddy Turnstone (FR): 1, Trinidad, 3 Dec (MeH); 1, FL, 2 Jan (SH, RB); Rock-Sandpiper (EL): 1-2, N/SJ, 5 Dec-2 Jan (mo); 1, Trinidad, 3 Dec (MeH); 1-4, Glass Beach, LP, Virgin Cr. Beach, 23 Nov-9 Dec (DT); Wilson’s Snipe (IL): 1, Showers Pass Road at 2000' elevation, 22 Nov (JD); 40, KS, 2 Jan (SH); Parasitic Jaeger (ID): 1, seen from Clam Beach vista point, 12 Dec (SC); Heermann’s Gull (ID): 5 reports of 1-7, AMP, Sinkyone Wilderness, Centerville Beach, 22 Dec-6 Jan (KR, JT, EE, RS, et al.); Glaucous Gull (FR): 1, Centerville CBC; Black-legged Kittiwake (EM): 1, LP, 29 Nov (DT); 1, Sinkyone Wilderness, 26 Dec (EE); 1, NJ, 18 Dec (KR).

Marbled Murrelet (FR): 2, SJ, 2 Jan (RF); Ancient Murrelet (FR): 1-3, NJ, 18 -25 Dec (KR, SC); 4, Pt. St. George, 19 Dec (CD); Barred Owl (FR, IL): 1, near Redway, Whitmore Grove, Redwoods State Park, 22 Dec (BF); Short-eared Owl (IN): 1-2, AB, 30 Nov-18 Dec (JT); 16, Centerville CBC; Saw-whet Owl (FR): 1, near Hiouichi, 23 Nov (JD); Band-tailed Pigeon (ID): 2, near Kneeland, 19-20 Dec (JC); White-winged Dove (GW): 1, Eureka, photos, 20-27 Nov (DJ); Costa’s Hummingbird (FR): 1 female, ID on appearance and sound, Redwood Root Farm, Jacoby Creek Valley, 7-18 Dec (DF, et al.); Selasphorus sp. (ID): 1, reported, Arcata CBC; Nuttall’s Woodpecker (EL): 1, Outlook Overflow near Willits, 1 Jan (JT, RG); Pileated Woodpecker (FR): 1, Cutten, 6 Dec (JD; 1, Showers Pass Road, 22 Nov (JD); 4, Centerville CBC; Least Flycatcher (FR): 1, Arcata, 8^th and N streets; 18 Dec-5 Jan (EE, et al., photos); Say’s Phoebe (FR): 1, Azalea Hill, 18 Dec (GL); 1, Willow Creek CBC; 2, Centerville CBC; Tropical Kingbird (FR): 1, Shelter Cove, 28 Nov (LM, fide GL); Ash-throated Flycatcher (ID): 1, Arcata, 8^th and K streets, 19-20 Dec (JK, JT); Northern Shrike (FR): 1, V St loop, 3, 4, 8, 12, 18 Dec, (mo); 1, Lanphere Road, 19 Dec (BA, KR); Oak Titmouse (FR): 1, Outlook Overflow, Willits, 1 Jan (JT, RG); White-breasted Nuthatch (FR): 1 on dunes, Del Norte CBC; 1, Outlook Overflow, Willits, 1 Jan (JT, RG); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (FR): 1, Willow Creek CBC;

Dipper (FR): 1, Freshwater Creek, 11 Dec (BA); 1 Arcata CBC; Violet-green Swallow (ID): 1, near College of the Redwoods, 2 Jan (LH-H); White-bellied Swallow sp. 2, HBNWR, 3 Jan (RF, MW, DJ); Barn Swallow (ID): 8, AMP, 5 Dec (SC); 8, Lanphere Dunes, 18 Dec (BA); 1, McKinleyville, 18 Dec (KS); Northern Mockingbird: 1, north Arcata, 30 Nov-18 Dec (BA, et al.); 1, Willow Creek CBC; 3, Ferndale, 2 Jan (GL); 1, Table Bluff, 2 Jan (JH, et al.); 1, Eureka, 3 Jan (LB-O); Orange-crowned Warbler (ID): 7 reports of singles from AMP, north Arcata, BSLP, Ft. Bragg, Camp Kimtu, AB, 4 Dec-24 Dec (mo) + 29 reported on Centerville CBC; Nashville Warbler (ID): 4-5 birds reported from Arcata, AMP, AOP, Eureka, 4 Dec-6 Jan (mo) + 9 reported on Centerville CBC; Yellow Warbler (ID): 1, BSLP & nearby Arcata, 5 Dec-4 Jan (SC, EE); 1, Tooby Park, 22 Nov (JS); Black-throated Gray Warbler (ID): 1, Tompkins Hill Road, 2 Jan (MW, et al.); Palm Warbler (EMSN): 8-9 reported from Arcata, AMP, AB, Ferndale, 4-Dec-4 Jan (mo) + 12 on the Centerville CBC; Black-and-white Warbler (EMSN): 1, BSLP, 22 Dec (EE); Northern Waterthrush (EMSN): 1, AMP, 4 Dec-1 Jan (JT, PL, EE); Common Yellowthroat (ID): 1, Arcata CBC; 1, Del Norte CBC 2, Centerville CBC; 1, AMP, 4 Jan (EE); Western Tanager (ID): 1, East of Fountain Ranch (Trinity County, Willow Creek CBC, GL); 1, Ferndale Bottoms, 2 Jan (CDu);

California Towhee: 1, North Spit, 18 Dec (KR); 1, Willow Creek CBC; 3, Outlook Overflow, Willits, 1 Jan (JT, RG); Clay-colored Sparrow (FR): 1, Eureka feeder, 9 Dec (JD); Swamp Sparrow (EMSN): 5, North Dike, Humboldt Bay, 12 Dec (JT); 1-2 AMP, 22 Dec-6 Jan (EE); 1, HBNWR, 12 Dec (DF, JP); + 3 on Centerville CBC; Harris’s Sparrow (FR): 1, Eureka feeder, 26 Nov-18 Dec (DJ); 1, Arcata, 12-18 Dec (GB); 1, Ferndale, 2 Jan (G&LL); Lapland Longspur (EMSN): 1-10 AB, 29 Nov-18 Dec (RF, BA, JT); Snow Bunting (FR): 1, Centerville Beach, 2 Jan (RS); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (FR): imm. male, Ferndale, 2-7 Dec (DW); imm. male, Eureka, 18 Dec (DJ); Painted Bunting (GW!): 1 female, Freshwater, 11-15 Dec (CF, SN, T&SL, et al., photos), this may well be the first ever presumably wild bird ever confirmed in the Northcoast region. Tricolored Blackbird (FR): 1, Mad River Road pumpkin patch field, 27 Dec (KR); Meadowlark (IN): 31 in a Fortuna yard, 18 Dec (RC); Orchard Oriole (FR): 1 imm. male, Arcata, 12 Dec (GB); 1, Smith River, 19 Dec (DF, JP); Bullock’s Oriole (ID): 1 female, Arcata, 17 Dec-3 Jan (SC); 1 male, Arcata, 22 Dec (GB); Red Crossbill: x, Big Lagoon and Patricks Point State Park , 14 Dec (KI); 15-20, Kneeland, 11 Dec (BA); Evening Grosbeak (ID): 1, Terwer Valley, 15 Dec (RLeV); 4, Elk River Valley, 2 Jan (T&SL, L &JT).