Field Notes

By: Stanley W. Harris

25 Nov -- 8 Jan

A period of mixed weather, holiday activities, and Christmas Bird Counts. Result? I don’t have room to mention all the birds reported so please don’t be offended if your report is not here. Many personal thanks to David Fix for filling in for me and finishing the report for November while I was out of town. Summaries of the Christmas Bird Counts as follows: Arcata (ACBC), 19 Dec: ice and cold in a.m., very strong, cold wind in p.m. = 165 species; Willow Creek (WCCBC), 26 Dec: ice, cold, calm, overcast, some snow on ground in a.m. = 83 species; Del Norte (DNCBC) 27 Dec: overcast, rain with terrible strong SW wind all day = 143 species; Lewiston (LCBC), 2 Jan: clear, warm, calm = 82 species; Centerville (CVCBC) 3 Jan: clear, warm, calm = 184 species (a new all time record by 1!): Abbreviations used: AB = Arcata Bottoms; AMP = Arcata Marsh Project; AOP = Arcata Oxidation Pond; EL = Expected Location; EM = Expected Migrant; EN = Expected Numbers; FR = Few Records; GW = Gee Whiz; HBNWR = Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge; ID = Interesting Date; IIT = Interesting if True; IL = Interesting Location; IN = Interesting Numbers; MO = Many Observers; MS = Monitored Species; ND/C= No Description/Not Confirmed.

BULLER’S SHEARWATER (ID): 1-2, Wedding Rock, 3-6 Dec (DF, JP): SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (FR): 1-6, Wedding Rock, 3-6 Dec; 1, North Jetty, 1 Jan (all DF, JP): ATLANTIC BRANT (FR): 3 shot, South Bay, 3-6 Dec (fide, GL); 1 (alive), Freshwater Lagoon, 17 Dec (SP): DUSKY CANADA GOOSE (FR): 1, Crescent City, 27 Dec (S & LH): BLUE-WINGED TEAL (FR): 1-2, AMP, 14-31 Dec (KN, ACBC, BD); 1, Loleta Pond, 6 Jan (RH): HARLEQUIN DUCK (FR): up to 6, Glass Beach, throughout Dec (DT); 1 female, King Salmon, 3 Jan (BD); 1 male, North Jetty, 6 Jan (SP): OLDSQUAW (EL): 1-3, Fields Landing, 3 Dec- 3 Jan (MW, DF, JP, SH, BD, CVCBC); 1, MacKerricher St. P., 24 Dec + (DT); 1, Crescent City, 25-27 Dec (JB,CM,SH); 1, mouth Smith River, 25 Dec (JB,CM): OSPREY (ID): 1, Big Lagoon, 16 Dec (EE,BC); 1, CVCBC, 3 Jan): PRAIRIE FALCON (FR): 1, CVCBC, 3 Jan; 1, AB, 8 Jan (RLeV): RUFFED GROUSE (FR): 1, Rowdy Creek, (DNCBC), 27 Dec (KL): GOLDEN-PLOVER (FR): 1 (sp?), mouth Mad River Slough, 3 Dec (KI); 1 (sp?), AB, 18 Dec (DA); 5 (Pacific), Crab Park, 3 Jan (DF,JP).

BLACK-NECKED STILT (FR, GW): 1 (2?), Eel River Bottoms, 3 Jan (LD, RLeV, DF, JP): RUFF (GW): 1, South Spit, 4 Dec (TD): WANDERING TATTLER (ID): 1-2, South Jetty, 1-3 Jan (SH, BD,EE): ANCIENT MURRELET (FR): "many," vic. Ft. Bragg, nearshore, throughout Dec (DT); 5, Wedding Rock, 6 Dec (DF,JP); 4-9, North Jetty, 24-29 Dec (MW, DF, JP, BD); 1-2, Elk Head, Trinidad, 24 Dec-1 Jan (MM, MiH): 1-7, South Jetty, 1-3 Jan (BD,SH,EE): YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (??? IIT): 1, caught by a cat, rescued, examined, released (no photos --Boo Hiss), interesting description, not totally convincing, but probable), McKinleyville, <16 Nov (RG): LONG-EARED OWL (GW): 2, CVCBC, (AD): BARRED OWL (GW): 1, Elk River Valley, 3 Jan (SH, BB): ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (ID): 1, HBNWR, 9-12 Dec (DD, SL): HORNED LARK (IL): 1, MacKerricher St. P., 26 Dec+ (DT): MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (FR): 1 male, Crescent City, 18 Dec (AB): LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (FR): 1, South Spit, 3 Jan (MK): SOLITARY VIREO SP? (ID): 1, Arcata, 19 Dec (TL, JO, SS): BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER (ID): 1, Fortuna, 3 Jan (AD): BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (ID): 1, Canal School, 14-19 Dec (KN, SH); 4, ACBC: NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (FR): 1, AMP, 21 Dec (EE, JT): COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (ID): 1, Loleta Bottoms, 3 Jan (KS): CANADA WARBLER (FR, GW): 1 female, McKinleyville, 26 Nov (RLeV): CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (FR): 1, Arcata, 27 Nov-19 Dec (GB, ACBC): YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (FR): 1, AB, 5 Dec (KN): BULLOCK’S ORIOLE (ID): 1, HBNWR, 12 Dec (SL); 1, ACBC; 1, Ferndale, 3 Jan (GL,LL).

RED-NECKED GREBE (EM): 1-6, vic Hum. Bay Jetties, King Salmon, 10 Dec-3 Jan (MO): CLARK’S GREBE (EL,EN,EM): 1-9, Humboldt Bay, 4 Dec-3 Jan (MO): PACIFIC LOON (ID, IL): 1, Lewiston Lake, 6 Dec (BD, TE); 1, Elk Head, 2 Jan (MeH): 7, CVCBC: COMMON LOON (IL): 2, Trinity Lake, 6 Dec (BD, TE): BROWN PELICAN (IN): 14, Trinidad, 2 Jan (MeH); 30, CVCBC: BRANDT’S CORMORANT (ID): 1 Trinidad, 2 Jan (MeH): CATTLE EGRET (IN, low): 2-6, AB, 26 Nov-31 Dec (MO); 1 (only), CVCBC: GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (FR): 1-3, AB, 25 Nov-18 Dec (SP, DF, DA): 1 imm., MacKerricher S. P., 5-8 Dec (DT); 4-5, Hookton Road, 1-3 Jan (SH,BD): SNOW GOOSE (FR): 1, AB, 14-19 Dec (KN, ACBC); 1, Hookton Slough, 23 Dec (MW); 1, CVCBC: ROSS’S GOOSE (FR): 1-2, AB, 25 Nov-19 Dec (MO); 1 imm. MacKerricher S. P., throughout Dec (DT): ALEUTIAN CANADA GOOSE (ID): 20-40, AB, 25 Nov-14 Dec (SP, SH); 50, Smith River Bottoms, 16 Dec (SH, MK); 2 Hookton Slough, 1 Jan (SH, BD): CACKLING CANADA GOOSE (FR): 1, AMP, 14 Dec (SH); 2, Willow Creek Golf Course, 26 Dec (SH); 30-40, Hookton Slough, 1-3 Jan (SH, BD): GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON (IL, IN): 1 each, Willow Creek Golf Course, 7-26 Dec (TL, SH): EURASIAN WIGEON (FR): 1-4, 24 Nov-5 Dec (SP, DA); 1-2, CVCBC: CANVASBACK (EN, ED): 1-12, Klopp Lake, 14 Dec-7 Jan (SH, DF); 1000-1200, Lake Earl, 16 Dec (SH, MK, EE, BD): REDHEAD (MS): 4-143, Field’s Landing, 3 Dec-3 Jan (MW, DF, SH); 2 males, near MacKerricher St. P., 23 Dec (DT): BLACK SCOTER (EL): 1-3, South Bay, 8 Dec-3 Jan (DF, CVCBC); up to 12, MacKerricher St. P., throughout Dec (DT): HOODED MERGANSER (EL): 14-21, Willow Creek, 20 Nov-26 Dec (TL, WCCBC); 1, AB, 6 Dec (DF, JP); 1, AMP, 11-14 Dec (BC, SH); 2-4, Lower Mad River, 16-19 Dec (KN, RR); x, Briceland, 24 Dec (NW); 4, CVCBC.

WHITE-TAILED KITE (IL, IN): 1, Briceland, 24 Dec (NW); 1, Salyer, 26 Dec (SH); 78, Cock Robin Island Roost, 3 Jan (DF, JP): BALD EAGLE (MS): 2 ad, Mad River Fish Hatchery, 16 Dec (WC); 1 imm., Arcata, 26 Dec (TD); 1 ad, 1 imm., WCCBC; 4 ad, DNCBC; 1 ad, AB, 1 Jan (BC); 1 ad, CVCBC: FERRUGINOUS HAWK (ED, EL): 1, AB, 29 Nov-2 Jan (MO); 2, McKinleyville, 30 Dec (DG); 1, CVCBC: ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (MS): 1, AB, 3-6 Dec (CO, DA); 3, CVCBC: GOLDEN EAGLE (IL): 1 ad, near McCann, 12 Dec (JG), 1, CVCBC: MERLIN (EL): 1, Humboldt Bay area, 26 Nov-2 Jan (MO); 13, CVCBC; 1, LCBC: PEREGRINE FALCON (MS): 12 reports of 1-2 from AB, AMP, Smith River Bottoms, Humboldt Lagoon, Trinidad and vicinity, Ocean Ranch, 27 Nov-2 Jan (MO); 9, CVCBC: SNOWY PLOVER (IN): 36 (7 banded), Clam Beach, 27 Nov (GS); 22, Crab Park, 6 Dec (MW); 1 (only), Mouth Eel River, 3 Jan (BC): AVOCET (IN, IL): 70-165, Hookton Slough, CVCBC, 13 Dec-3 Jan (MO): LESSER YELLOWLEGS (ID): 1, Klopp Lake, 8 Dec (PL); 9, CVCBC: WHIMBREL (ID): 2-3, Arcata, ACBC, 18-19 Dec (DA, et al.) 2, CVCBC: RUDDY TURNSTONE (EL): 2-3, Fields Landing, 12 Dec-3 Jan (MW, BD, SH, BB, RR): ROCK SANDPIPER (EL): 1-2 North Jetty, 12 Dec- 1 Jan (MW, DF, JP, BD); 1, MacKerricher S. P., 23 Dec (DT): RED KNOT (FR): 1, Eureka, 27 Dec (TD); 1, Klopp Lake, 29 Dec (BD), 1, South Bay, 1 Jan (SH, BD): BONAPARTE’S GULL (ID): 1, HBNWR, 13 Dec (DF, JP); 2, AOP, 14 Dec (SH); 55, ACBC; 2, CVCBC: HEERMANN’S GULL (ID): 2, ACBC; 1 ad, Eureka, 31 Dec (BD); 2, Trinidad, 2 Jan (MeH); 3, CVCBC: HERRING GULL (IN): 15 adults, Wedding Rock, 6 Dec (DF, JP); 65, CVCBC: THAYER’S GULL (EN): 1 imm, mouth Mad River, 16 Dec (DF, JP); x, ACBC; 3, CVCBC: GLAUCOUS GULL (EN, ED): 1 ad (no details), mouth Mad River Slough, 3 Dec (KI); 1, ACBC; 1; Crescent City Harbor, 27 Dec (SH, LH); 1, MacKerricher St. P., 28 Dec (DT); 1, Crab Park, 3-6 Jan (DF, JP, RH): BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (FR): 1, Wedding Rock, 6 Dec (DF, JP); 2-6, North Jetty, 25 Dec-1 Jan (DF, JP): CASPIAN TERN (ID, IN): 2, HBNWR, 13 Dec (DF, JP); 7 (!), CVCBC: MARBLED MURRELET (MS): 2, Wedding Rock, 6 Dec (DF, JP); 2-4, North Jetty, 25 Dec-1 Jan (MO); 7, CVCBC: RHINOCEROS AUCKLET (ID, IL): 1, Trinidad, 1 Jan (MiH); 1-2, Humboldt Bay Jetties, 3-6 Jan (SP, BD, EE): ALLEN’S/RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD SP. (ID): 1 female, Sunny Brae, 29 Dec (SH): PILEATED WOODPECKER (FR): 1, Azalea Hill, <7 Jan (GA): SAY’S PHOEBE (IL): 1, West End/Hatchery Road, 8 Nov (update, MV, CW); 1, ACBC; 1 Kneeland, 20 Dec (AD); 1, Friday Ridge Flat, 26 Dec (CO); 1 CVCBC (PH, MW): TREE SWALLOW (ID): 3, AMP, 26 Nov (BC); 1, Arcata CBC; 12 (!), DNCBC (GL): VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (ID): 2, DNCBC (GL): BARN SWALLOW (ID): 2, DNCBC (GL): GRAY JAY (IN): 2, Westhaven, 5 Dec (TL); x, ACBC; 41 (!), CVCBC: SCRUB JAY (EL): 1, Fortuna, 3 Jan (MW, PH): WESTERN BLUEBIRD (MS): 5, Arcata Airport, 30 Dec (BC); 9, CVCBC.

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (ED): 1-2, Moxon Road, 4-30 Dec (BC, DA); 1, Arcata, 6-9 Dec (MC); 1, Pt. Kenyon Road, 17 Dec (RC); 2, Garberville, 19 Dec (JS); 1, Eureka, 22 Dec (LB-O); 1, McKinleyville, 30 Dec-8 Jan (RLeV); 1, CVCBC; 1, Cannibal Island Road, 4 Jan (DD): NORTHERN SHRIKE (FR): 1, North Spit, 16 Dec (BC, KN); 1, Cannibal Island Road (carrying a Savannah Sparrow), 6 Dec (KS); 1, AB, 28 Dec (BC); 1 imm., Lewiston Lake, 2 Jan (JH): ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (IN): 36 (!), CVCBC: NASHVILLE WARBLER (IN): 1, Cannibal Island Road, 6 Dec (KS); 1, Arcata, 6 Dec, 23 Dec (KS, BF); 2 (only), CVCBC: PALM WARBLER (ED): 1, AMP, 6, 14 Dec (KS, KN); 5 (only), CVCBC: YELLOW WARBLER (ID): 1, Glass Beach, 8 Dec (DT): CALIFORNIA TOWHEE (IN): 1-2, Bayside, 12 Dec, 1 Jan (JP, DF); 1, ACBC; 1, Salyer, 26 Dec (SH); x, Briceland, 24 Dec (NW); 16 (!), Fortuna Area, CVCBC: VESPER SPARROW (FR): 1, AB, 4 Dec (KI): SWAMP SPARROW (ED, EL): 1, Mad River Slough, 6 Dec (JP, DF); 1, Cannibal Island Road, 6 Dec (KS); 1, AMP, 21, 31 Dec (EE, JT, BD); x, ACBC; x, CVCBC: TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD (FR): 1, Lewiston, 2 Jan (fide, JH): RIVER OTTER (FR): 2, Dead Lake near Crescent City 16 Dec (EE, BC): GRAY FOX: 1, Sunny Brae, 29 Dec (SH); 1, Elk River Valley, 3 Jan (RR, BB, SH):

We are grateful to the following people who shared their observations with us: David Anderson, George Allen, Louise Bacon-Ogden, Alan Barron, Brian Barton, Gary Bloomfield, Joelle Buffa, Bryon Cariss, Will Cartwright, Mark Colwell, Ruth Crane, Tamar Danufsky, Bruce Deuel, Anthony Desch, Duke Diehl, Rick Dimmick, Linda Doerflinger, Todd Easterla, Elias Elias, Michael Feighner, David Fix, Brad Freeman, John Gaffin, Rosemarie Gloor, Melody Hamilton, Lorie and Stan Harris, Pablo Herrera, Rob Hewitt, Matt Hinton, John Hunter, Ken Irwin, Mary Kuehner, Tom Leskiw, Gary, Kelsey, and Lauren Lester, Ron LeValley, Steve Lewis, Paul Lohse, Clyde Morris, Michael Morris, Jeff Moore, Kristie Nelson, Chet Ogan, Dave Ogden, Jason Osborne, Steve Pagliughi, Aida Parkinson, Jude Power, Richard Ridenhour, Greg Schmidt, Keith Slauson, Sue Sniado, Jay Sooter, Jim Tietz, Dorothy Tobkin, Margaret Varga, Matt Wachs, Catharine Walling, Nancy Wilson. Please call future reports to the Arcata Bird Box (707) 822-Loon (822-5666), to me at (707) 822-3802, or send them to me at 1595 Charles Court, Arcata, 95521.

Please call future observations in to the Arcata BirdBox at (707) 822-5666, to me at (707) 822-3802, or mail them to me at 1595 Charles Ct., Arcata, California 95521.

Redwood Region Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502
Last updated January 1999