The

S andpiper
Redwood Region Audubon Society www.rras.org
FIELD TRIPS
Every Saturday: Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.
These are our famous, rain-or-shine, docent-led field trips at
the marsh; take your binocular(s) and have a great morning
birding! Meet in the parking lot at the south end of I Street in
Arcata at 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 3: ebird site survey--Shay Park. Do you have
only an hour or two to get out over the weekend to “peep”
some birds? Come assist Rob Fowler on his weekly ebird
site-survey at this little gem-of-a-park in Arcata. Meet at 0900
at the Shay Park parking lot that is located at the eastern end
of Foster Avenue. On average it takes from 30-40 minutes to
survey Shay Park but is dependent on how “birdy” it is. For
more info on the ebird site survey visit this link at http://ebird.
org/content/ebird/about/eBird_Site_. Call or email Rob (707-
822-5095; migratoriusfwlr@gmail.com) for more information
and other future survey dates.
Sunday, April 11: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
This is a wonderful, two-to-three hour trip for people
wanting to learn the birds of the Humboldt Bay area. It
takes a leisurely pace with emphasis on enjoying the birds!
Beginners are more than welcome. Meet at the Refuge Visitor
Center at 9:00 a.m. Call Jude Power or David Fix (707-822-
3613) for more information.
Sunday, April 18: Southern Humboldt Community Park. Jay
Sooter (707-444-8001), Robert Sutherland, and/or John Gaffin
will be leading this monthly walk. All ages and experience
levels are encouraged to participate and revel in the beauty of
the park and its avian inhabitants on this easy, two- to three-
hour walk. Binoculars are not provided and dogs are not
APRIL/MAY 2010
allowed; field guides are usually available but please provide
your own if possible. Steady rain cancels. Meet at 8:30 a.m. in
the parking lot on Kimtu Road in Garberville.
Saturday, May 1: Seabirds at Elk Head. We will be searching
the rocky shoreline for shorebirds and the offshore rocks for
nesting seabirds. We will attempt to identify the land-birds
encountered along the trail to the bluffs as well as the flowering
plants along the way. Amongst the rocks should be Black
Oystercatcher. Take spotting scopes if you have them. Meet
Gary Lester (839-3373) at the Elk Head Parking lot at 8:30 a.m.
Sunday, May 2: Alderpoint. Enjoy the birds, plant life,
and reptiles of the Eel River canyon on this half-day trip just
south of Alderpoint. We will walk the railroad tracks about
two miles to Cain Rock trestle and back (there are no trains).
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ash-throated
Flycatcher, and similar birds of dry habitats in southeast
Humboldt County can be expected. A short side trip to Smith
Point Bridge to enjoy White-throated Swifts may be made
following the trip. Diogenes’ lantern, interior live-oak, and
birch-leaf mountain-mahogany will be seen as well. Take sun
protection, layered clothing, and a small pack for carrying
lunch and water. Meet in the Ray’s Food Place parking lot in
Garberville at 8:30 a.m. We should return to the Humboldt
Bay area by mid-afternoon. Contact David Fix or Jude Power
(822-3613 or foglark@att.net) for more information.
Sunday, May 9: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. See
April 11.
Saturday, May 15: Blue Lake. Greet spring in this
wonderfully birdy area along the Mad River. We’ll focus on
songs and calls. Interesting possibilities include Cassin’s Vireo,
Western Scrub-Jay, Purple Martin, Bewick’s Wren, Lazuli
Bunting, and Bullock’s Oriole. Meet Ken Burton (707-825-
1124) at Espresso 101 in the Valley West Shopping Center at
7:30 a.m. or at the river access near the end of Taylor Way in
Blue Lake at 7:45 for this half-day trip.
Sunday, May 16: Southern Humboldt Community Park. See
April 18.
Sunday, May 16: Mendocino County Pelagic. Come join
Mendocino Coast Audubon Society on their annual spring
pelagic boat trip. The charter boat Trek II will depart from
Noyo harbor, Fort Bragg, for the seven hour cruise. The
meeting time is 7:30 a.m. for an 8:00-a.m. departure. $105
per person. Todd Easterla, Rob Fowler and Ron LeValley
will lead. Pay by check or credit card. For checks send to C.
McAllister—Pelagic Trip PO Box 332 Little River, CA 95456.
Contact Charlene by email charmac@mcn.org to pay by credit
card.
Saturday, May 29: Potawot Health Village. Join Mark
Morrissette (839-3424) for this unique and educational half-
day trip. We will be birding the trail system that winds through
the integrated landscape that surrounds the health clinic.
Come see the wildlife using the Ku’ wah-dah-wilth Restoration
Area, organic permaculture garden, and storm-water system
that maintain wetlands on the village conservation easement.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot at the end of Weeot Way in
Arcata (off Janes Road opposite Ernest Way).

April Program (Audubon’s) Yellow-rumped Warbler © Gary Bloomfield

F R I DAY, A P R I L 9 T H
The Birds and Wildlife
of Guyana
David Shackelford is an avid naturalist as well as an accomplished wildlife
photographer. His presentation will cover his experiences traveling through
Guyana in northern South America, one of the last pristine wildernesses on
earth. The delightful array of tropical birds here is enhanced by the presence
of many familiar Neotropical migrants that spend a great portion of their lives
wintering in these equatorial latitudes. Charismatic wildlife such as Giant
Anteater, Jaguar, and Giant River Otter combine with the outstanding friendly
Amerindian culture and excellent eco-friendly lodges to create a superb birding
destination unlike any other! David works for Rockjumper Nature Tours of
South Africa.
May Program
F R I DAY, M AY 1 4 T H
COLOMBIA
– A Birding Hotspot
Christopher Calonje, our May speaker, is a Colombian native who has
been living in Klamath Falls for the past 6 years. He is president of Colombia
Birdwatch, a recently formed bird watching tour company that specializes
in tours to Colombia. He will talk about Colombia, its geography, people,
food, infrastructure, and most importantly the incredible diversity of birds
and habitats that are found within its borders. Chris has great pictures of
this special country, and will discuss great improvements in security in the
country and information on the tours that will be available at an incredible
introductory discount to local birders.
These programs will be
starting at 7:30 p.m.,
at the Humboldt County Office of Education
near the Burre Center at Myrtle and West in Eureka.
Bring a mug and enjoy shade-grown coffee.
Thank you for ensuring that our meetings are fragrance-free.
RRAS Spring Banquet
a Great Success!
For those who missed it this year, the RRAS annual member banquet
(and art auctions) was an outstanding success. The evening opened with
a delightful dance “in honor of the hornbill” performed by an exchange
student from Indonesia. She explained that the Southeast Asian hornbills,
like many island birds worldwide, are being threatened by rampant
deforestation and poaching. Island people revere their local hornbills,
and for the dance she wore a brightly colored costume reflecting the
Rhinoceros Hornbill’s plumage and used movements mimicking the
bird’s.
Our banquets are the occasion for installing new officers, so
outgoing president Ken Burton therefore passed the gavel to incoming
president Kerry Ross, who had organized this event. Also special
recognition was paid to some of our volunteers: Artist Gary Bloomfield
was awarded the Volunteer of the Year for his many years of dedication to
RRAS. Gil Saliba received the 2009 Conservationist Award for his long
and ongoing efforts on behalf of the Trinity River Restoration Project.
This year’s speaker, Brian Sullivan of Cornell University,
described how data being submitted to eBird are being used to analyze
bird seasonal migrations. He also described the growing potential for
eBird, with increased acceptance and use by birders around the country,
to provide answers to questions we didn’t know we had.
Every year we depend on the tremendous generosity of individuals
and businesses in the community to donate items for our silent and live
auctions to raise funds for our chapter’s work, and every year we are
humbled by and deeply grateful for their response. Our thanks go to the
following businesses: Arcata Exchange, Bed Bath and Beyond, Bubbles,
California Redwoods Birding and Nature Festival, Carter House Inns,
Eureka Natural Foods, Figueiredo’s, Franklin’s Service, Freshwater
Farms, Golden Harvest Café, Kokotat, Libation, Margy Emerson T’ai
Chi, Mirador Glass, Northtown Books, Ohana Organics or Tara Organics,
Peoples Records, Pierson’s Building Center, Plaza Design, Jay Sooter
Spas, Strictly for the Birds, Terry’s Blue Grass Barber Shop, Tin Can
Mailman, Toy Box, and Violet Green Winery. Our thanks to the following
artists who provided art pieces: Carol Andersen, Louise Bacon-Ogden,
Gary Bloomfield, Rick Hiser, Ron LeValley Photography, Carl Meyer,
and C.J. and Carol Ralph. Jan Andersen, Coleen Kelley Marks, and Lew
and Judie Norton also donated items.
Finally, we are very grateful to the staff and management of the
Red Lion Hotel for providing a delicious meal and for their unobtrusive
competence in helping make the evening a success.

CHAPTER LEADERS
OFFICERS
President— Kerry Ross ………..........…...... 839-4365
President-Elect — Jim Clark …................… 445-8311
Immediate Past-President— Ken Burton......825-1124
Secretary—Adam Brown................abrown@prbo.org
Treasurer—Susan Calla..................................465-6191
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Jan Andersen...................................................616-3888
Rob Fowler ………………..............……….. 822-5095
Lew & Judie Norton.......................................445-1791
Chet Ogan ………………..............………… 442-9353
C.J. Ralph .......................................................822-2015
Jay Sooter ……………………..........……… 444-8001
OTHER CHAPTER LEADERS
Conservation—Chet Ogan ..........................442-9353
Education -- vacant
eBird Liason — Rob Fowler …………..….. 822-5095
Field Trips—Rob Fowler ………......…..….. 822-5095
Historian—John Hewston ..........................822-5288
Membership—Lew & Judie Norton.............445-1791
NEC Representative—C.J. Ralph.................822-2015
Field Notes—Sean McAllister ......................268-0592
Programs—C.J. Ralph...................................822-2015
Publicity—Sue Leskiw....................................442-5444
Sandpiper—David Schumaker...............530-227-5192
—Gary Bloomfield........................822-0210
Volunteer Coordinator—Kate Rowe.. (715) 554-0498
Webmaster—Sean McAllister ......................268-0592
Lake Earl Branch—Sue Calla.......................465-6191
RRAS Web Page......................................www.rras.org
AYS
Arcata Bird Alert .....................822-LOON (822-5666)
The Sandpiper is published six times each year by
Redwood Region Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502.
Thinking of Joining the
National Audubon Society?
If so, please use the coupon below. By sending in your
membership on this form, rather than replying to solicita-
tions from National Audubon, $20 is sent directly to RRAS.
This is how NAS rewards local chapters for recruiting
national members. (Otherwise, the RRAS dues share per
new member is only a couple of dollars.) Thank you.
Chapter Membership Application
Yes, I’d like to join.
Please enroll me as a member of the National Audubon
Society and of my local chapter. Please send
AUDUBON magazine and my membership card to the
address below.
My check for $20 is enclosed. (Introductory offer)
NAME_______________________________
ADDRESS___________________________
CITY ______________________________
STATE____________ZIP______________
email ______________________________
Local Chapter Code: C0ZC240Z
Please make checks to the National Audubon Society.
Send this application and your check to:
National Audubon Society
P.O. Box 422250
Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250
--------------LOCAL CHAPTER-------------
REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 1054
EUREKA, CA 95502
Keep Up-to-Date
Through RRAS Listserve
Be reminded about field trips and programs and learn
about upcoming meetings, public hearings, and symposia
of interest to RRAS members and other concerned nature
lovers. Subscribe in 1 of 2 ways: through a Web page link
at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rras or by e-mail to
rras-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Postings should have
complete information. This listserv is not for posting bird
sightings.
NEED GODWIT VOLUNTEERS
Help is needed hanging the Student Bird Art Contest entries in
the Arcata Community Center. If you can spend an hour or two
push-pinning artwork to the walls on Friday, April 16 between
10 a.m. and noon, please call Sue Leskiw at 442-5444.
DO YOU LIKE TO WALK
THE BIG LAGOON SPIT?
Would you like to help RRAS and California State Parks while
you’re there? BECOME A BIG LAGOON STEWARD! We’re
looking for volunteers to inform others about park regula-
tions, pull invasive plants, monitor plover fencing, and look for
plovers. Volunteers get free parking privileges at Big Lagoon
County Park while performing these duties. For more informa-
tion contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kate Rowe.
RRAS AWARDED
TWO SNOWY PLOVER GRANTS
RRAS recently received two Snowy Plover conservation grants.
The first, for $4,500, is through the Share the Shore with Snowy
Plovers campaign, a children’s art sign project to promote coastal
dune habitat protection with an emphasis on plover recovery.
Funding comes from the Morrissey Family Foundation, Inc.
(via Audubon California) and Toyota’s Together Green Pennies
for the Planet Program (via the National Audubon Society). We
are partnering with Friends of the Dunes, who will sponsor an
art contest for 3rd- and 4th-graders; winners in four categories
(Most Lifelike, Best Message, Most Creative, and Best Habitat)
will have their entries made into signs to be posted at plover
nesting beaches. All entries will be displayed at Mad River
Biologists in Eureka during Arts Alive! in June; visit FOD’s White-crowned & White-throated Sparrows © Gary Bloomfield
Web site for more information.
The second grant, for $7,500, comes from Audubon California’s RESULTS OF THE 2008-2009
Endowment for State Parks, a program to strengthen ties
between Audubon and California State Parks, especially in SPARROW BANDING SEASON
By Ken Burton
parks within Important Bird Areas and for projects involving
Audubon Watchlist species. RRAS teamed up with the State
Parks North Coast Redwoods District on a proposal to restore The winter of 2008-2009 was the second season of my
Snowy Plovers (a Watchlist species) as a breeding species at study of our backyard winter emberizid community. The
Humboldt Lagoons State Park (part of Humboldt Lagoons purposes of this study are to examine age- and sex-related
IBA). Our proposal was ranked first among those submitted this patterns of site fidelity, survivorship, and migration tim-
year! We are using the money to assist the District in erecting ing and to introduce members of our human community
and monitoring symbolic fencing at Big Lagoon, placing plover to the world of bird banding.
decoys within the fenced area to attract plovers, and removing
iceplant; providing funds to Friends of the Dunes for docents to
Thanks to assistance from Rob Fowler, the banding ef-
patrol the site and educate the public about the project and park
fort was increased compared to the first season (see the
regulations (especially dog restrictions); and recruit volunteers
October, 2008, Sandpiper for the Season 1 report). We
to continue these efforts once the grant money is depleted.
banded three Spotted Towhees (SPTO), 34 Fox Sparrows
(FOSP), six Song Sparrows (SOSP), a Lincoln’s
Sparrow, four White-throated Sparrows, 55
CALIFORNIA REDWOODS White-crowned Sparrows (WCSP), 56 Golden-
crowned Sparrows (GCSP), and 489 Dark-eyed
B IRD & N AT U R E
Juncos (DEJU) for a total of 648 emberizids,
bringing the total number of birds in the study
FESTIVAL
to 1,015. There were 3,473 known recaptures
and sightings of these birds (unfortunately, some
of the sighting data were lost), giving us about
��������������������������������������
6,300 total records for the first two years. We
������������������������������������������������� also banded six Steller’s Jays, 11 Chestnut-
M AY 7 - 9, 2 0 1 0
backed Chickadees, four Varied Thrushes, a
Purple Finch, 23 House Finches, 19 Pine Sis-
��������������������� kins, and 40 House Sparrows that were caught
��������� incidentally.
�������������������
��������������������� We were all eager to see how many birds from
the first season would show up again the second
American Dipper © Gary Bloomfield
������������ season. The proportion of birds banded in the
Darlingtonia © Gary Bloomfield
���������������� first winter that returned to the same yard in the
second winter (calculated only for yards that
participated both winters) was 25% for Spotted
Towhee, 33% for Golden-crowned Sparrow and
Song Sparrow, 45% for Dark-eyed Junco, 47%
for Fox Sparrow, and 71% for White-crowned
Sparrow. Actual survival rates were higher be-
cause not all survivors returned to the original
locations and some that did undoubtedly were
overlooked. The high return rate of white-
Bleeding Heart - Wendell Wood
crowns suggests to me that most of our winter
Spotted Owl © Roy Irving
white-crowns probably breed in this general
Smith River Drift
area. The return rate for Spotted Towhee may
© F.L. Hiser Jr.
have been higher than we recorded because the
�������������������������������� species wasn’t color-banded the first season (but
few were caught anyway).
����������������
Among juncos, at least (I haven’t examined the
���� ����������� �������� ��� � other species), return rates were higher for adults
(57%) than for first-winter birds (41%); this was
Sutter Coast Hospital • Lucky 7 Casino
expected since young birds typically suffer high-
Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce • The City of Crescent City • Godwit Days
er mortality and have lower site fidelity (birds may try
Redwood National & State Parks • Yurok Tribe • KPOD/KCRE • Swarovski Optik • KHSU/KHSR Public Radio
New Members out multiple sites during their first winter before selecting
one, and we likely caught many of our young birds dur-
Redwood Region Audubon Society welcomes ing this “experimental” period). Male and female juncos
the following new members and subscribers: showed very similar return rates.
Alderpoint – Michael Klein As in the first winter, we documented some very interest-
Arcata – Betty Becker, Frances Ferguson, Kris Haedrich, ing local movements. A young Fox Sparrow banded at
Susan Hightower, Willow Janzen, Tristan Kiener, Lanphere Dunes by Humboldt Bay Bird Observatory in
Kate Riley, Clare Rockwood, Kathryn Stieren mid October showed up just south of HSU (four miles
Bayside – Jerry Barnes, Branum, Frederick Jamison,
Mike Minor, Kathleen Vogelsang
away) in mid March. A young junco, banded just north
of HSU in early November, turned up over a mile away
Blue Lake – Adelene Jones
Crescent City – Don Cameron, K. R. Charette, in Sunny Brae in late January. The junco I mentioned
last year that was banded in Arcata and sighted on migra-
Marj Dessert, Louise Mason,
Sharon Plack tion in Brookings was seen in a different Arcata yard in
Eureka – R. J. Cleall, A. D. Day, Debra McMurray, December.
Lynn Moore, V. P. Murphy,
Leila Nunemann, Carol Scher,
Although we didn’t do any banding this winter, we have
Don Staudenmaier, Lori Wilkins continued to track sightings of returning banded birds.
Ferndale – Gerald Genzoli, Robert Hoyle
Please report any sightings to me.
Fortuna – Shirle Cornell, Gay MacHado, Louise Merrell,
Robert Moon
Garberville – Bruce Riley Thanks go to Rob Fowler and Lauren Tompkins for band-
Hoopa – Nancy Bailey, Norma McConnell ing assistance; CJ Ralph and Kim Hollinger for permits
Kneeland – Cherry LaForge and supplies; and Jan Andersen, Catherine Arnold, Adam
McKinleyville – Rhea Houck, Bill Knight, Shari Miller Brown, Jeff Jacobsen, Cindy Moyer, CJ and Carol Ralph,
Myers Flat – Cheri McCord Keith Slauson, and Lauren Tompkins for hosting banding
Petrolia – Margie Smith sites.
Redcrest – Joanne Wightman
Redway – Kris Dowling, Wes Edwards, Jane Gund,
Susan Jacobsen, Irving Schroeder
Rio Dell – Muriel Spencer PROJECT MANAGER NEEDED
Smith River – Sara Killeen The Redwood Region Audubon Society is looking for candidates
Somes Bar – Edna Watson to fill the position of Project Manager. Full announcement can
be found at www.rras.org. Send resume and contact information
We look forward to seeing you on field trips for three references to: RRAS P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA
and at our monthly programs. 95502 or email to abrown@prbo.org . Application deadline 20
April 2010.
 Welcome to the 15th Annual Godwit Days!
ARCATA COMMUNITY CENTER, APRIL 16-18
Godwit Days is a 3-day spring migration bird festival -- operated
by the nonprofit Godwit Days organization -- that celebrates
the Marbled Godwit and all the birds of the coastal redwoods,
bays, marshes, and mudflats on California’s Redwood Coast. The
Arcata Community Center at 321 Community Park Way serves
as the departure point for nearly all fieldtrips and houses our art
show and Bird Fair. Choose from nearly 100 field trips, lectures,
workshops, and boat excursions. Pre- and post-festival trips can
extend your experience from April 15-21. Advance registration is
strongly recommended!
Website: www.godwitdays.com
Local phone: 707-826-7050; toll-free: 1-800-908-WING
(9464)
Look for the free Godwit Days tabloid, produced by The
Arcata Eye, at the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center and many
other local outlets
Something for Everyone
“Early birds” can catch the dawn chorus at the Arcata Marsh,
while “night owls” can literally look for owls until 10 p.m. Go
on a trip to see as many bird species as possible by bus in a day,
or one ones focusing on rare birds like snowy plover and spotted
owl. Trips range north to Del Norte County, south to Ferndale,
and inland to Willow Creek and Hoopa. Workshops teach about
local insects and mammals, as well as how to ID birds by their
sounds. Boat trips on our rivers, lagoons, bays, and ocean are a
highlight, ranging from 1-hour tours of Humboldt Bay, to half-
day kayaking or rafting trips, to all-day trips on the Pacific. You
can even bird by bicycle!
New offerings for 2010 are a shorebird spectacle at the Arcata
Marsh, a condor seminar, a redwood forest ecology field trip,
trips focusing on raptors or West Coast specialties, kayak tours
of Mad River Slough, and a visit to Humboldt Coastal Nature
Center.
Just for Kids (& Other Free Events)
The Festival offers many free activities of interest to children,
including:
• Live birds of prey
• Display of all entries in the 7th Annual Student Bird Art Contest
• Family nature & craft activities on Saturday from 12:30-3:30
p.m. (sponsored by Friends of the Arcata Marsh)
• A Bird Fair with commercial vendors and information booths
from nonprofit groups and government agencies
Children are the focus of two field trips and two workshops,
which have no cost but participants must preregister:
• Kids’ Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop, Friday, 4-5 p.m.
• Kids’ Birding Field Trips, Saturday & Sunday, 9:30-11:30
a.m.
• Art Workshop for Kids, Saturday, Noon-1 p.m.
Godwit Days also offers free field trips for ALL ages to
Patricks Point State Park, Arcata Marsh, South Jetty,
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Lanphere Dunes,
and Stone Lagoon that require preregistration but no payment.
Children interested in participating in the many for-fee field
trips and workshops may register for most at no charge when
accompanied by a paying adult.
Live Birds of Prey
Experience a close encounter with owls, hawks, and other raptors.
Wildlife Images of Oregon will be back with injured birds of
prey on Saturday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.).
Additionally, Avian Ambassadors from the Humboldt Wildlife
Care Center will be on hand during the Friday night opening
reception (5-7 p.m.).
Keynote Lecture
For the past 5 years, Jeff Bouton has worked as
product specialist to the birder/naturalists markets
for Leica Sport Optics. He has written many
articles on birds/birding, including a column in
Wild Bird magazine. Jeff has given dozens of
workshops and other presentations over the years.
A research biologist and professional tour leader
for over 25 years, he was a contributing author
for the ABA Bird-finding Guides to Alaska and
Florida.
Wildlife & Landscapes Art Exhibit
A fabulous showcase for local artists’ depictions
of wildlife and landscapes. Creations will be
displayed in the main hall on Friday from 5-7
p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 10
a.m.-3 p.m.
Student Bird Art Contest Display
Redwood Region Audubon and Friends of the
Arcata Marsh have teamed to sponsor a student
bird art contest at Godwit Days. Some $500
will be awarded to Humboldt Country students
in grades K-12. Winners will receive awards
at a ceremony at 11:30 am on April 17. Copies
of prize-winning artwork will be shown at the
Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center during May.
Registration & Important Information
On-site registration hours: Friday, April 16, 3-7
p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-
noon
Visit www.godwitdays.com for descriptions of the
nearly 100 field trips, workshops, and lectures and
to register. There, you will find the cancellation
policy, how to register children, and instructions to
sign up for free community sessions.
Registration plans range from a top-of-the-line $80 Value Package © 2009 by Carol Andersen
– which includes all events except bus and boat trips, pre- and
post-festival trips, and the banquet – to a one-day $22 Basic
registration where each event added on carries a fee. Student at least $250 in money, goods, or services (as of 3/8): Arcata
registration is half the Basic rate, with some events excluded. Chamber of Commerce, Arcata Eye, Bicoastal Media (KKHB/
Not otherwise registered and want to attend a Sunday event? Stop KGOE), Bloomfield Studio, California State Parks (North
by registration Saturday night to sign up for unfilled field trips at Coast Redwood District), City of Arcata, Coast Central Credit
the cost of the trip only (no registration fee required). Union, Earth Map Photo, Friends of the Arcata Marsh, Friends
of the Dunes, Green Diamond Resource Co, Hum-Boats Kayak
Godwit Goodies: Buy & Bid! Adventures, Humboldt Baykeeper, Kayak Zak’s, KHSU, KIEM
Stop by and look over the goodies on display in registration as News Channel 3, Kokatat, KURY, LBJ Enterprises, Libation,
part of the silent auction. Bid on binoculars, outdoor clothing/ Lost Coast Communications (KHUM/KSLG/KWPT), Miller
gear, wine, artwork, and much more. The auction will open at 3 Farms Nursery, Murphy’s Market, Neuroscape Communications,
p.m. Friday and end at 7 p.m. on Saturday, prior to the keynote. Nikon Sport Optics, North Coast Cooperative Inc, Northcoast
Winners must pay for their goods before Sunday at noon. Environmental Center, Pacific Gas & Electric, Pierson Building
All auction contributors are recognized on signage at the Center, Provolt Design, Quality Inn (Arcata), Redwood National
Community Center. To donate, call 826-7050. & State Parks, Redwood Region Audubon Society, Rookery
Also in registration will be 2010 Godwit Days T-shirts featuring Books, Strictly for the Birds, Tomas Jewelry, Violet-Green
the poster design by Carol Andersen, baseball caps, visors, and Winery, Wildberries Marketplace. Over 40 additional donors
knitted beanies. Discounted merchandise from prior years may gave less than $250.
be available.
Crescent City Festival May 7-9
A Word about Our Sponsors The free Friday night lecture at Godwit Days will feature Rick
Staging this festival would not be possible without strong support Hiser talking about the evolution of the Aleutian Goose Festival
from local businesses, media, government, and nonprofit groups. into the California Redwood Bird & Nature Festival. Visit www.
Following is an alphabetical list of entities that have donated caredwoodsbirdfest.org for details.

KEEPING THE KEYSTONE

Hal Clause and I wended our way through the oak grove,
surprised at the lack of birds. A glistening, light-colored
area on a tree’s otherwise dark, furrowed trunk caught my
eye. The incisions on the tree lacked the classic, uniform
oblong pits that one normally associates with sapsucker
photos © Hal Clause

wells. Nevertheless, their height above the ground—about

5 feet—suggested that they were, indeed, made by a bird.
I began to point out the wells to Hal when an Audubon’s
Warbler flew in. We watched the warbler eagerly drink of
the pooled liquid. “Now, where’s the sapsucker? It’s prob-
ably not far away.” As if on cue, an adult male Red-naped
Sapsucker flew in to drive the warbler away, reclaiming his
wells.

“Are you familiar with Paul Ehrlich’s hummingbird re-

search in the Colorado Rockies?” I asked. “If his name
escapes you, he authored The Population Bomb.” “No,
I’m not aware of his research,” Hal replied. “Well, hum-
mingbirds arrive in the Colorado Rockies in April and May.
Broad-tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds are known to nest
as high as 9,700 feet, yet most plants don’t begin flowering
until June or July. Ehrlich wanted to know what they fed on
until nectar became available later in the season.”
“What he and his colleagues uncovered was that humming-
birds are among the more than 40 species that rely on a food
source made available by Red-naped Sapsuckers: spruce,
willow, and aspen tree sap. Subsequent research revealed
that sap’s sugar content can be as high as 48%. Although
hummingbirds are known to feed on a variety of insects, the
frequency with which they were observed to visit sapsucker
wells made clear that sap serves as a critical early-season
food source.”
I first learned of Ehrlich’s hummingbird-sapsucker research
in The Birder’s Handbook, a publication he co-authored
with David S. Dobkin and Darryl Wheye in 1988. I never
tire of relating this story to others. For one, his research
deserves wider appreciation. A host of species that include
bats, squirrels, and porcupines utilize sap or the insects at-
tracted to it as a food source. Similarly, the breeding range
of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker appears to determine the
northern limits of breeding ranges of the Ruby-throated and
Rufous Hummingbird. In addition, Red-naped Sapsuckers
excavate nest cavities for species incapable of making their
own. These contributions make clear that sapsuckers play a key
role in the web of life in the Colorado Rockies.
Scientists have dubbed species as diverse as Red-naped Sap-
sucker, prairie dog, sea otter, and banner-tailed kangaroo rat as
Keystone Species. Over the past 30 years, the definition of a
keystone species has been clarified: 1) its members have a large
effect on community structure and function (i.e., high overall
importance) and 2) these effects are disproportionately large rel-
ative to species abundance (i.e., high community importance).
The knowledge that sap—and the insects attracted to it—serve
as a magnet for a variety of creatures can enhance the wildlife-
viewing experience. I’ve seen species such as the Kamehameha
butterfy on (rat-damaged) trees in Hawaii and warblers, Ruby-
crowned Kinglets, red admiral butterflies and numerous insects
feeding at wells here in the lower 48 states.
Consider the role of the much-maligned prairie dog. Once
thought to number 5 billion, their populations have declined up
to 98% throughout North America, largely due to government-
funded eradication programs. Their widespread extirpation
clearly illustrates the unforeseen consequences of removing a
keystone species. Approximately 170 vertebrate species rely
on prairie dogs at some level for survival. Prairie dog burrows
provide nest sites and shelter for both invertebrates and verte-
brates, such as tiger salamanders and burrowing owls. Prairie
dogs affect the rate of ecosystems processes, including distur-
bance—which creates a foothold for a greater diversity of
plants—and nutrient cycling.
They alter the species composition of plant communities,
creating open habitats favored by mountain plovers. Many
species associated with prairie dogs—black-footed ferrets,
mountain plovers, burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks—are
endangered or otherwise at risk. Furthermore, some research-
ers believe that prairie dog decline was a key factor in both
the extirpation of Aplomado Falcon from the United States
and widespread gully formation and water table lowering
in the desert southwest because burrows no longer allowed
rainfall to slowly percolate into the soil.
The term “Keystone Species” is an apt one, for it suggests
a rock-solid arch. However, the structure’s vulnerability is
masked; removing a keystone can imperil the entire struc-
ture. The crucial role that keystone species play in the viabil-
ity of ecosystems should inject a bit of humility into those
who tinker with or seek to re-make the natural world— such
as resource managers and developers—lest their actions fray
an intricate web. Restoration ecologists acknowledge that,
often, the return of a keystone species is the crucial first step
in their rebuilding efforts.
Tom Leskiw
January 14, 2010
Field Notes
S U M M A RY O F N O R T H W E S T E R N C A L I F O R N I A B I R D R E P O R T S
6 January – 10 March 2010
Field Notes is a compilation of bird sighting reports for Del
Norte, Humboldt, northern Mendocino, Trinity and western
Siskiyou counties. Sources include the Redwood Region
Audubon Society bird alert (707-822-LOON), the online
northwestern California birdwatching and information
exchange (nwcalbird@yahoogroups.com), the Mendocino
County birders’ listserve (mendobirds@yahoogroups.com)
and reports submitted directly to the compiler. Future reports
may be submitted to any of the sources mentioned above, or to
Sean McAllister: sean@madriverbio.com; 417 2nd St., Suite 201
Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 268-0592.
Abbreviations: HBNWR = Humboldt Bay National Wildlife
Refuge; MSP = MacKerricher State Park
Del Norte County
Greater White-fronted Goose: 8, Smith River Bottoms, 22 Jan
(LBr) • Ross’s Goose: 2, Smith River Bottoms, 22 Jan (LBr) •
Black Scoter: 6, Pt. St. George, 13 Feb (RFo) • Harlequin Duck:
1, Crescent City Harbor, 13-22 Feb (RFo, DBe) ) • Hooded
Merganser: 3, Lake Earl, 13 Feb (RFo) • Red-throated Loon:
1, Lake Earl, 13 Feb (RFo) • Cattle Egret: 1, Alexandre Dairy,
5-13 Feb (LBr, DCa) • Prairie Falcon: 1, Alexandre Dairy,
22 Jan (LBr) • Crested Caracara: 1 continuing, Smith River
Bottoms, 16 Feb (JWa) • Rock Sandpiper: 8, Pt. St. George,
13 Feb (RFo) • RUFF: 1, Alexandre Dairy, 17 Jan (LBr) •
Thayer’s Gull: 1, Crescent City Harbor, 13 Feb (RFo) • Black-
legged Kittiwake: 2, Crescent City Harbor, 13 Feb (RFo)
Humboldt County
Greater White-fronted Goose: 2-4, Arcata Bottoms--V St.
Loop, 20 Jan-12 Feb (DFx, STu, KGR, GZi); 75, Arcata
Bottoms, 21 Jan (DCo, TKu, DSp); 60, Arcata Bottoms, 24 Jan
(RFo); 1, Hiller Park, 18 Feb (KGR); 30, Ferndale Bottoms,
22 Feb (KSe); 1, HBNWR, 4 Mar (ZLo, JLo) • Snow Goose:
1, Arcata Bottoms, 21-24 Jan (DCo, TKu, DSp, RFo); 1,
Freshwater Lagoon, 20 Jan (HEB, THi) • Ross’s Goose:
2, HBNWR, 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa); 1-3, Arcata Bottoms,
21-24 Jan (DCo, TKu, DSp, RFo); 1, HBNWR, 4 Mar (ZLo,
JLo) • Brant: 48, HBNWR, 14 Jan (JCP) • Cackling Goose
(Aleutian): present, Arcata Bottoms, 24 Jan (RFo); 4, Orick,
25 Jan (SCa); 1,500, Ferndale Bottoms, 22 Feb (KSe); 10,000,
HBNWR, 28 Feb (DFx) • Tundra Swan: 50-80, HBNWR, 14-28
Feb (JCP, DFx, SCa); 211, Ferndale Bottoms, 22 Feb (KSe) •
Eurasian Wigeon: 1, Arcata Marsh, 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa);
1, Ferndale Bottoms, 21 Jan (DFx); 6, HBNWR, 17 Feb (PCh);
1, Hiller Park, 18 Feb (KGR) • Eurasian Green-winged Teal:
1, Arcata Marsh, 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa); 1, Arcata Bottoms--
V St. Loop, 28 Feb (KGR); 2, HBNWR, 28 Feb – 4 Mar (DFx,
SCa, ZLo, JLo) • Eurasian X American Wigeon Hybrid: 1,
McKinleyville, 28 Feb (KGR) • Eurasian Green-winged Teal:
1, Ferndale Bottoms, 21 Jan (DFx); 1, Arcata Oxidation Ponds,
20 Feb (GZi) • Redhead: 3, HBNWR, 17 Feb (PCh) • Ring-
necked Duck: 213, Ferndale Bottoms, 24 Jan (RFo, MWa) •
TUFTED DUCK: 1 (continuing?), Big Lagoon, 1 Mar (TLe) •
Harlequin Duck: 2, Humboldt Bay—North Jetty, 15 Feb (TKu,
DSp, NLe) • White-winged Scoter: 3, Big Lagoon, 1 Mar (TLe)
• Long-tailed Duck: 1, Big Lagoon, 1 Mar (TLe) • Common
Goldeneye: 2, Orick, 25 Jan (SCa); 2, King Salmon, 21 Jan
(JCP, DFx); 1, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop, 28 Feb (KGR) •
Hooded Merganser: 1, Arcata Marsh, 25 Jan (KGR); 1, Orick,
25 Jan (SCa) • Ruffed Grouse: 1, Tall Trees access road, 27
Feb (DBe) • Red-throated Loon: 1, offshore Hiller Park, 18
Feb (KGR); 1, North Jetty, 15 Feb (TKu, DSp, NLe); 11, King
Salmon, 17 Feb (PCh) • Green Heron: 1, Arcata Marsh, 20 Feb
(GZi) • Osprey: 1, Eureka, 21-27 Feb (SCa); 1, Big Lagoon, 8
Feb (MHa); 1, King Salmon, 21 Feb (JCP, DFx); 1, Elk River
Estuary, 21 Feb (SCa); 2, Humboldt Bay--South Spit, 21 Feb
(ZLo, JLo) • Bald Eagle: 1, Ferndale Bottoms, 18 Jan (Anon);
1, Fields Landing, 19 Jan (SCa); 1, Freshwater Lagoon, 20
Jan (HEB, THi); 1, Ferndale Bottoms, 24 Jan (RFo, MWa); 1,
Ferndale Bottoms, 28 Jan (SMc, DCl); 1, Chezem Rd, 31 Jan
(FAn); 1, Arcata, 5 Feb (BFr); 1, Fay Slough, 10 Feb (COg); 2,
HBNWR, 28 Feb (DFx, SCa); 1, Big Lagoon, 1 Mar (TLe)
Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk © Kerry Ross
Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk: 1, Hwy 101--Bayside Cutoff, 1
Mar (SCa) • Ferruginous Hawk: 1, Arcata Bottoms, 9 Feb
(TKu, NLe) • Rough-legged Hawk: 2, Bald Hills Rd., 21
Jan (DCo, TKu, JSa); 1, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop, 25 Jan
(KGR); 1, Hwy 101--Bayside Cutoff, 15 Feb (TKu, DSp, NLe)
• Golden Eagle: 1, Ferndale Bottoms, 28 Jan (SMc, DCl); 1,
Fay Slough, 1-2 Mar (HHa, JSto) • Merlin: 2, Arcata Bottoms-
-V St. Loop, 12 Jan (KGR); 1, ERWA, 24-27 Feb (WPe, SMc) •
Spotted Sandpiper: 1, Tyee City, 12 Feb (RFo) • Wandering
Tattler: 1, North Jetty, 15 Jan – 26 Feb (TKu, DSp, NLe, DBe)
• Whimbrel: 2, Arcata Bottoms, 31 Jan (RFo, KBu); 1, Woodley
Island, 21 Feb (SCa) • Ruddy Turnstone: 1, Fields Landing, 8
Jan – 21 Feb (SCa, TKu, DSp, NLe, JCP, DFx) • Red Knot: 3,
Arcata Marsh--Klopp Lake, 30 Jan (KGR) • Rock Sandpiper:
2-6, North Jetty, 7-27 Feb (STu, TKu, DSp, NLe, SCa, DBe )
• Dunlin: 18,000, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop, 20 Feb (DFx) •
Herring Gull: 2, mouth of Redwood Creek, 25 Jan (SCa); 1, Elk
River Estuary, 8 Feb (SCa); 2, McKinleyville, 17 Feb (KGR) •
Thayer’s Gull: 5, mouth of Redwood Creek, 25 Jan (SCa); 1, Elk
River Estuary, 8 Feb (SCa); 17(!), McKinleyville, 17 Feb (KGR)
• Glaucous Gull: 1, Dry Lagoon, 8 Feb (MHa); 2, Little River
mouth, 20 Feb (TKu, DSp); 1, Luffenholtz Beach, 20 Feb (TKu,
DSp); 1, Mad River Estuary, 1 Mar (ZLo, JLo) • Black-legged
Kittiwake: 1, McKinleyville, 17 Feb (KGR); 8, North Jetty, 21
Feb (SCa); 1, North Jetty, 27 Feb (DBe); 1, Clam Beach, 1 Mar
(ZLo, JLo) • Caspian Tern: 1, Elk River Estuary, 8 & 21 Feb
(SCa); 2, HBNWR, 28 Feb (DFx) • Forster’s Tern: 3, Klopp
Lake, 21 Feb (SCa); 28, Klopp Lake, 27 Feb (KGR) • Parasitic
Jaeger: 1, North Jetty, 21 Feb (SCa) • Marbled Murrelet: 2,
offshore from Hiller Park, 18 Feb (KGR) • Band-tailed Pigeon:
3, McKinleyville, 30 Jan (GSL); 60-90, Mail Ridge, 31 Jan
(JGaf); 35, Fruitland, 7 Feb (JGaf); 3, Arcata, 17 Feb (GAB) •
Burrowing Owl: 1, Ferndale Bottoms, 22 Feb (KSe) • Short-
eared Owl: 1, Arcata Marsh, 3 Feb (TSc); 1-4, HBNWR, 14
Feb – 4 Mar (JCP,SCa, ZLo, JLo); 5, ERWA, 27 Feb (SMc); 1,
Arcata Marsh, 28 Feb (TSc); 6, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop, 28
Feb (TKu) • Rufous Hummingbird: 1, Arcata, 18 Feb (RFo);
1, McKinleyville, 18 Feb (LPL) • Allen’s Hummingbird: 1,
McKinleyville, 26 Feb (GSL) • Yellow-shafted Flicker: 1,
Arcata, 24 Feb (BIn) • Say’s Phoebe: 1, Arcata Bottoms, 27 Jan
(JSa, TKu) • Cassin’s Vireo: 1 (heard only), Fruitland, 7 Feb
(JGaf) • Hutton’s Vireo: 1, North Spit, 14 Jan (OHe) • Gray
Jay: 6-7, Arcata, 24 Feb (BIn) • Horned Lark: 1, Orick, 3-
9 Feb (JAl, KBe) • Tree Swallow: 4, McKinleyville, 19 Feb
(KGR); 20, Arcata Marsh, 20 Feb (TKu); 25-40, HBNWR, 28
Feb (DFx, SCa); 50, Arcata Marsh, 2 Mar (SCa) • Violet-green
Swallow: 5, HBNWR, 28 Feb (SCa) • Barn Swallow: 2, Arcata
Marsh, 23 Feb (KGR) • White-breasted Nuthatch: 3, Bald
Hills Rd., 21 Jan (DCo, TKu, JSa) • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 1,
North Spit, 14 Jan (OHe); 1, Cock Robin Island, 4 Mar (BRC)
• Western Bluebird: 8, Bald Hills Rd., 21 Jan (DCo, TKu,
JSa); 5, Orick, 25 Jan (SCa); 9, mouth of redwood creek, 31 Jan
(KGR); 2, McKinleyville, 5 Feb (COg); 2, Tyee City, 12 Feb
(RFo); 7, Orick, 22 Feb (RFo); 4, Table Bluff, 27 Feb (SMc); 2,
Orick, 4 Mar (HEB)
Northern Mockingbird © Gary Bloomfield
Northern Mockingbird: 1, Arcata Yard, 27 Jan – 6 Mar
(GAB); 1-2, Arcata Bottoms, 27 Jan-9 Feb (JSa, TKu, RFo,
KBu, NLe); 1, Arcata, 15 Feb (VJi); 1, Eureka, 16 Feb (CWi)
• Cedar Waxwing: 5, Orick, 23 Jan (KBu) • Orange-crowned
Warbler: 1, HBNWR, 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa) • Nashville
Warbler: 1, Fortuna, 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa) • VIRGINIA’S
WARBLER: 1 continuing, Arcata - Jane’s Creek, 14 Jan – 27
Feb (GAB, et al) • Black-throated Gray Warbler: 1, Trinidad,
29 Jan (MHa) • Palm Warbler: 1, Trinidad, 30 Jan (MHa); 1,
Arcata Marsh, 8 Feb (TKu); 1, Old Town Eureka, 8-9 Mar (KIr,
SMc) • American Redstart: 1 continuing, Woodley Island, 21
Feb – 4 Mar (SCa, KGR) • Northern Waterthrush: 1, Arcata
Marsh--B. Slough Log Pond, 14 Jan-20 Feb (LTu, DCo, JSa,
KGR, TKu, GZi) • AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 1, Bald
Hills Rd., 21 Feb (DCo, TKu, JSa) • Chipping Sparrow: 1,
McKinleyville, 19 Feb (KGR) • Swamp Sparrow: 1, Arcata
Marsh, 16 Jan (KGR) • White-throated Sparrow: 14-20,
Bayside, 24 Jan-8 Feb (DFx) • HARRIS’S SPARROW: 1-2,
Orick, 20 Jan-3 Feb (MHi, DCo, TKu, JSa, SCa, DFX, JCP,
KBu, LBr, JAl) • Slate-colored Junco: 1, Fortuna, 14 Jan (LTu,
DCo, JSa); 1, Eureka, 28 Feb (SCa) • Lapland Longspur: 3,
Ferndale Bottoms, 21 Feb (GSL); 3, Arcata Bottoms--V St.
Loop, 26 Feb (KGR) • Tricolored Blackbird: 1- 4, Arcata
Bottoms, 25 Jan-25 Feb (SCa, JSa, TKu, RFo, KBu, SCa, KGR)
• RUSTY BLACKBIRD: 1 female continuing, Arcata Bottoms,
24 Jan-22 Feb (RFo, KGR, SCa) • ORCHARD ORIOLE: 1,
Mckinleyville, 8-10 Feb (KSl, KBu, CMo)
Northern Mendocino County (north of Hwy 20)
Greater White-fronted Goose: 11, Westport, 12 Jan (KHv); 4,
Ten Mile River, 31 Jan – 11 Feb (DTo, KHv); 7-9, Westport, 14
Feb (TEa); 150 in two groups flying over, Fort Bragg, 16 Feb
(DTo) • Snow Goose: 2, Bald Hill, 20 Jan (DTo); 1 immature, Ten-
Mile River, 15-31 Jan (EFi, DTo) • Cackling Goose (Aleutian):
1, Ten Mile River, 31 Jan (DTo); 1, Westport, 14 Feb (TEa) •
Harlequin Duck: 4, Virgin Creek Beach, 21 Feb (DTo); 1, Eel
River (interesting location!), 14 Jan (Cate); 2, Glass Beach, 28
Jan & 16 Feb (DTo) • White-winged Scoter: 1, Lake Cleone, 2
Feb (MBr) • Black Scoter: 1-2, Ward Ave - MSP, 6 Jan (RHu,
By Sean McAllister
KHv, JHv) • Mountain Quail: 2, Eel River Station, 10 Feb
(JWh) Osprey: 1, Lake Cleone--MSP, 22 Jan – 5 Feb (DTo,
TMa) • Bald Eagle: 1, MSP, 29 Jan (TMa); 1, Round Valley, 10
Feb (JWh) • Ferruginous Hawk: 1, Westport, 12 Jan (KHv);
1, north of Fort Bragg, 11 Feb (KHv) • Golden Eagle: 4,
Round Valley, 10 Feb (JWh) • Prairie Falcon: 1, Covelo, 9 Feb
(JWh) • COMMON MOORHEN: 1 continuing, Lake Cleone,
19 Jan (DTo) • Rock Sandpiper: 1, Laguna Point, 29 Jan (DTo)
• Dunlin: 1, Virgin Creek, 2 Feb (MBr) • Heerman’s Gull: 5,
Virgin Creek Beach, 2 Feb (DTo) • VEGA HERRING GULL:
1, Virgin Creek, 14 Feb (TEa) • Black-legged Kittiwake: 1,
Virgin Creek Beach, 2 Feb (DTo) • Northern Pygmy-Owl: 2,
Mendocino Pass, 10 Feb (JWh) • Burrowing Owl: 1 continuing,
Virgin Creek Beach, 19 Jan -24 Feb (DTo, JLu, TEa, RHu); 1,
Glass Beach, 6-24 Feb (MSt, DTo, LWa) • White-throated
Swift: 2, Dos Rios, 9 Feb (JWh) • Rufous Hummingbird: 1,
Fort Bragg, 4 Mar (RHu) • Lewis’s Woodpecker: 7, Covelo,
9 Feb (JWh) • YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: 1, Fort
Bragg, 31 Jan – 4 Mar (JWh, DTo, MBr, AMo, JLu, DJe, TEa,
KPa, RHu) • Red-breasted Sapsucker: 1, Eel River Station,
10 Feb (JWh) • Mountain Chickadee: 1, Eel River Station,
10 Feb (JWh) • Townsend’s Solitaire: 2, Mendocino Pass,
10 Feb (JWh); 2, Eel River Station, 10 Feb (JWh) • Orange-
crowned Warbler 1, Fort Bragg, 16 Jan – 2 Feb (DTo, MBr) •
Wilson’s Warbler: 1, DeHaven Creek, 14 Feb (TEa) • Rufous-
crowned Sparrow: 3, Eel River Station, 10 Feb (JWh) • Red
Fox Sparrow (possible hybrid): 1, north of Fort Bragg, 5 Mar
(KHv) • White-throated Sparrow: 1 continuing, Fort Bragg,
12 Feb (DTo) • Tricolored Blackbird: 5, Ocean Meadows -
north Fort Bragg, 11 Feb (KHv) • Bullock’s Oriole: 1, Fort
Bragg, 2-22 Feb (MBr, DTo, DJe, KPa) • Cassin’s Finch: 1,
Mendocino Pass, 10 Feb (JWh)
Trinity County
Long-tailed Duck: 1, Lewiston, 16 Jan (TKu)
Western Siskiyou County
No reports
Harris’ Sparrow © Scott Carey
A special thanks to Gary Lester and Kerry Ross for their
edits and comments.
Many thanks to all of the observers who sent or called in
reports. As usual I could not include all of the reports,
but please keep them coming!
Observers:
Jeff Allen, Bob Battigin, Dave Bell, Keith Bensen, Gary
Bloomfield, Matt Brady, Heather Brown, Lucas Brug,
Barbara Burek, Ken Burton, Dennis Cahill, Pam Cahill, Brent
Campos, Scott Carey, Cate, Diane Cavaness, Phil Chaon,
Daryl Coldren, Todd Easterle, Erica Fielder, David Fix,
Rob Fowler, Brad Freeman, John Gaffin, Melody Hamilton,
Holly Harvey, Jim Havlena, Karen Havlena, Owen Head,
Matt Hinton, HSU Ornithology class, Richard Hubacek,
Bojan Ingles, Ken Irwin, David Jensen, Vitek Jirinec,
John Luther, Tony Kurz, Nikki Leskinen, Tom Leskiw,
Gary Lester, Lauren Lester, Ron LeValley, Jill Loman, Zac
Loman, Sean McAllister, Art Morley, Cindy Moyer, Chet
Ogan, Kathryn Parker, Renee Pasquinelli, Wendy Pearson,
Jude Power, Kerry Ross, Jesse Sargent, Terry Schulz,
Kristin Sesser, Keith Slauson, David Spangenberg, Michael
Stephens, Janet Stock, Marsten Taylor, Dorothy Tobkin,
Leslie Tucci, Steve Tucker, Dan Van Zile, Matt Wachs, Lisa
Walker, Judy Warren, Jerry White, Carol Wilson, George
Ziminski
Field Notes is a compilation of bird sighting reports
for Humboldt, Del Norte, western Trinity and northern
Mendocino counties. These observations do not
necessarily represent “accepted” records. Sources
include the Redwood Region Audubon Society bird alert
and birders’ information phone line (707-822-LOON),
the online northwestern California birdwatching and
information exchange (nwcalbird@yahoogroups.
com), the Mendocino County birders’ listserve
(mendobirds@yahoogroups.com), and reports submitted
directly to the compiler. Future reports may be submitted
to any of the sources mentioned above, or to Sean
McAllister: sean@madriverbio.com; 417 2nd St., Suite
201 Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 268-0592.