8/8/2019 October 2008 Sandpiper Newsletter - Redwood Region Audubon Society

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8/8/2019 October 2008 Sandpiper Newsletter - Redwood Region Audubon Society

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Thinking of Joining theNational Audubon Society?

If so, please use the coupon below. By sending in yourmembership 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 recruitingnational members. (Otherwise, the RRAS dues share pernew member is only a couple of dollars.) Thank you.

Chapter Membership ApplicationYes, Id like to join.Please enroll me as a member of the National AudubonSociety and of my local chapter. Please sendAUDUBON magazine and my membership card to theaddress below.

My check for $20 is enclosed. (Introductory offer)

NAME_______________________________ADDRESS___________________________CITY _______________________________STATE____________ZIP______________email _______________________________Local Chapter Code: C24 7XCHAPlease make checks to the National Audubon Society.

Send this application and your check to:

National Audubon SocietyChapter Membership Data CenterP.O. Box 51001Boulder, Colorado 80322-1001

--------------LOCAL CHAPTER-------------

REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETYP.O. BOX 1054

EUREKA, CA 95502

CHAPTER LEADERS

OFFICERS

President Pablo Herrera..........................845-8166

President-Elect-- Ken Burton......................825-1124

SecretaryAdam Brown............abrown@prbo.org

TreasurerSam Price..................................499-9450

DIRECTORS

Susan Calla .........................................465-6191

Sean McAllister ............................................496-8790

Lew & Judie Norton.....................................445-1791

Kerry Ross ..........................................839-4365

C.J. Ralph ..........................................822-2015

Jay Sooter ..........................................444-8001

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Arcata Marsh DocentsKerry Ross..........839-4365

ConservationChet Ogan ............442-9353

Education ...............HELP........................................

Field TripsKen Burton ...........................839-5179

HistorianJohn Hewston ...........................822-5288

MembershipLew & Judie Norton...........445-1791

NEC RepresentativeC.J. Ralph...............822-2015ObservationsStan Harris ............822-3802

ProgramsC.J. Ralph.................................822-2015

PublicitySue Leskiw.................................442-5444

SandpiperJan Andersen ............444-3501

Gary Bloomfield ............822-0210

Volunteer Coordinator

Jennifer Tompkins......443-6959

Lake Earl BranchSue Calla.....................465-6191

Birds in the BalanceRob Hewitt..............269-0271

RRAS Web Page...................................www.rras.org

Arcata Bird Alert ...................822-LOON (822-5666)

The Sandpiper is published ten times each year byRedwood Region Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502.

2007-2008 Sparrow Banding SeasonBy Ken BurtonLast winter I initiated a multiyear study of our urban winteremberizid community to examine age- and sex-related patterns ofsite fidelity, survivorship, and migration timing and to introduceour community to the world of bird banding. From November toMarch, assistants and I trapped and color-banded sparrows in 7yards from McKinleyville to Eureka, and the hosts recorded theirobservations of the banded birds until the latter departed.

We banded 367 emberizids: 7 Spotted Towhees (SPTO),34 Fox Sparrows (FOSP), 6 Song Sparrows (SOSP), a LincolnsSparrow, a White-throated Sparrow, 34 White-crowned Sparrows(WCSP), 72 Golden-crowned Sparrows (GCSP), 211 OregonJuncos (ORJU), and a Slate-colored Junco. There were 1,455

additional encounters (recaptures and sightings) of these birds.We also banded incidentally caught 8 Stellers Jays, 5 Chestnut-backed Chickadees, 2 House Finches, 3 Pine Siskins, and 13House Sparrows.

The proportion of 1st-winter birds in the catch was 50%for WCSP, 56% for GCSP, 62% for FOSP, 67% for SOSP, 72%for ORJU, and 100% for SPTO. For ORJU, which had the largestsample size, this proportion was 60% in November, 71% inDecember, 65% in January, 73% in February, and 91% in March,suggesting that adults arrive and depart earlier than young birds.Of the 93% of ORJU that were sexed, 61% were female.

Last sightings of banded birds were April 2 for SPTO,April 17 for FOSP, and May 4 for GCSP. These may representtypical departure dates for locally wintering individuals of these

species. Last sightings of banded WCSP (June 6), ORJU (June17), and SOSP (June 25) indicate apparent local breeders.

Not surprisingly, several birds moved back and forthbetween 2 yards that are less than half a mile apart, and birdsfrom both these yards were seen at a birders yard in between.

By Susan Calla

This past spring, California Audubon Important Bird Areas (IBAs)Program requested that all state chapters provide new data andrecommendations to update Californias existing IBAs. RRASmembers Chet Ogan and Susan Calla compiled and submitted themost recent bird statistics for both the Humboldt Bay and DelNorte Coast IBAs. RRAS also recommended that the existing DelNorte Coast IBA, which had encompassed an 11-mile area from

the mouth of the Smith River to Point St. George, be expandedto include the Castle Rock Wildlife Area, an additional 4 miles of

By Chet Ogan

Attendees: Chet Ogan, chair; Diane Beck, Ken Burton, Jim Clark,Barbara Kelly, Sue Leskiw, Mel McKinney, and Gil Saliba.

Chet and Ken described meeting with Department of Fish andGame to discuss a range of wildlife management issues at OceanRanch, North Humboldt Bay, and adjacent bottom lands: grazing,bulb farms, Aleutian cackling geese, Canada geese, shorebirds,raptors, public access, shorebirds, among other things.

Ken reported on an Audubon field trip Sept. 13 thatvisited a pond on Fred Haight Drive in Del Norte County. Thepond is a refuge for waterfowl during hunting season. JimClark made a motion (seconded by Mel McKinney) that theConservation Committee recommends the RRAS board donate$5,000 for emergency levee repair work on Hutchins pond onconfirmation from Lake Earl Branch. We could help seek grantsto make further repairs on the property.

Mel reported on meetings with Baykeepers aboutdioxin contamination on an old mill site at the foot of Del NorteStreet with flows into Eureka Marsh. We would the grading andrestoration, including replacing culverts to Humboldt Bay. Eurekawould like a letter from RRAS supporting trail improvementsbetween Hilfiker Street and Elk River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Jim talked with Joel Gerwein about the next steps withParcel 4; these include getting copies of property descriptionsfrom Humboldt County Assessors Office. Mel mentioned thata fire had occurred in the area behind Bayshore Mall. Jim also

Godwit Days seeks board members! If you have enjoyed GodwitDays activities in the past and are interested in helping out, theorganization is seeking applications from community membersto serve on its Board of Directors. It is a terrific event thatwas started by the City of Arcata. The board meets at RookeryBooks in downtown Arcata from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. As we startgetting prepared for the next event, we meet twice a month on

RRAS Conservation Committee Minutes for 18 September 2008

mentioned that West Nile Virus was found in a 1st-year CommonMurre; the bird was not emaciated.

Sue Leskiw reported on California Coastal Commissionmeetings in Eureka Sept. 10 and 11. Sue presented a letter to thecommission addressing ongoing vehicle violations along SouthSpit that amount to take of Western Snowy Plover populationsnesting there. Bureau of Land Management reported fewerviolations there for the entire year than Diane observed in one

2-hour period.Gil Saliba will seek a position on the TrinityManagement Council (TMC). Jim Clark made a motion(seconded by Mel) that the this committee support the TrinityAdaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG) and chairArnold Whitridges opposition to shared coordination of TrinityRiver Restoration Project between Fish and Wildlife Service andBureau of Reclamation and in support of previous TAMWGrecommendation to the TMC to improve TMC functionality.Many people on that committee are stakeholders with conflicts ofinterest with the TMC.

We discussed allowing take of Barred Owls in supportof Northern Spotted Owl recovery plan implementation. Wemust look beyond the lives of a few birds in favor of protecting

a species. The recovery effort should include considering globalclimate change and the effect that fire might have on recoveryefforts.

Audubon Recognizes Del Norte Coast Important Bird Area

rocky shoreline along Pebble Beach Drive, and the entire CrescentCity Harbor. This month, California Audubon announced itsapproval of the expansion. Today the newly expanded Del NorteCoast IBA joins 2,096 other special IBA areas found within 41states.

Visit the California Audubon IBA website (http://www.audubon-ca.org/iba) to view Del Norte Coast and Humboldt Bay

IBA maps. For a more detailed description of the IBA program,go to RRASs website (http://www.rras.org).

Mark Your Calendars for Godwit Days, April 16-22, 2009

PETE DUNNE, KEYNOTE SPEAKERWednesdays. Interested persons should contact board membersAlex Stillman at (707) 822-2269 (alexandrastillman@sbcglobal.net) or C.J. Ralph at (707) 822-2015(theralphs@humboldt1.com).

Pete Dunne, well-known birder and popular author, willbe the keynote speaker this year. Go to http://www.godwitdays.com for information about the festival.

One ORJU banded Nov. 18 was seen in the same yard until Dec.19, then reappeared in another yard half a mile away on Mar. 25.Another ORJU was seen in late March in a yard in Oregon 84miles from where she was banded and only 3 days after her lastsighting there!

My hosts (and I) were amazed to discover how manyindividual birds they were feeding! Even after months of trapping,banded birds still were in the minority in some yards. We alsodiscovered how easy it is to switch the legs around when tryingto record observations, a phenomenon I refer to as dyslegsia.A surprising number of birds had healed leg injuries. A coupleof leucistic birds were interesting, especially the FOSP picturedhere.

Neighborhood

cats proved to be aproblem in some places.It dismays me that somany cat owners placetheir cats liberty (or isit really just an aversionto litter boxes?) abovetheir cats safety, theirneighbors rights, the welfare of wildlife, and the law (it is illegalto allow a cat to harm a native bird). Okay, end of lecture.

Most of last winters hosts are continuing this winter,and we are all eagerly awaiting the first returns of banded birds.I also will be adding a few new yards to the study; if youreinterested, let me know. Thanks go to C.J. Ralph for providing

equipment and supplies and allowing me to work under hisbanding permit; Lauren Tompkins, Pablo Herrera, Debby Dailey-Anderson, and Kim Hollinger for assistance; and especially myhosts, Jan Andersen, Jeff Jacobsen, Carol Lawrence and TomCockle, Kate McClain, Cindy Moyer, and Ursula Palmer.

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Keep Up-to-Date Through

RRAS ListservBe reminded about field trips and programs and learn aboutupcoming meetings, public hearings, and symposia of interestto 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 listservis not for posting bird sightings.

The Hidden Life ofColumba livia,Part 2

By Man-Who-Walks-in-the-Woods

C. livia is thought to be the most well-studied bird in theworld. Being well adapted to captivity, it has had its kidneys,

liver, blood, and nearly all else subjected to countless bizarre

experiments. So humans know a lot about its genetics. For

the most part, the variety we see in pigeons is genetically, not

environmentally, based.

Feral pigeons in Europe are genetically nearly identicalto feral pigeons in North America. Both are fairly close

genetically to the wild birds. But all of these are more distant

from the many domestic stocks, which differ greatly among

themselves (no surprise there). Genetic distance between feral

and wild birds is large compared with most birds, but pigeons

generally are unusual in this regard. For example, Band-

tailed Pigeon, Mourning Dove, and feral pigeons are more

genetically dissimilar to each other than are most bird genera,

judged by Neis distances. This is because pigeons generally

have large allelic variation. This allelic variation is what makes

pigeons breedable into many different forms. But many or

most domestic varieties cannot survive release into the wild,

and their distinctive genetics is quickly lost then. I once had

a loft in lower New York City that overlooked much of thecity. Peregrine Falcons nested on Wall Street, and they had the

pigeon breeders in an uproar! As I saw from my loft, rather than

go after the street pigeons, the Peregrines went after the fancyracing pigeons, which were probably better tasting and more

nutritious.

Are wild birds influencing the genetics of ferals? Thats

not the pattern. The wild birds do not seem attracted nowadays

to living near humans, but feral birds revert easily to natural

conditions. In many places, feral pigeons have moved to the

native colonies on cliffs and interbred. For example, major

colonies of wild birds in Scotland have been genetically

destroyed by feral birds. Conservationists are concerned that

the wild Rock Dove is nearing extinction by this process. It

is happening widely, but some major colonies of wild birdshave resisted because they are far enough away from towns that

few feral birds reach them. How long that will last is anyones

guess.

Females make most of the mate choice, and they make

both positive and negative choices. Positive choices include birds

not infested with mites, large size, and dominance, among other

things. Whats interesting are the negative choices. Female feral

pigeons choose a mate that looks different, that is a different

color or pattern, and they reject males that look like them. This

is thought to have the role of keeping the genome pool large,

increasing their genetic fitness and thus survival. By making

this kind of choice, they in effect ensure that the variation in

color and pattern that we see in feral pigeons remains in the

population. Neither wild populations nor domestics make thiskind of choice. Wild birds all look alike, so no choice is needed.

Domestics in some cases are known to make positive plumagechoicesin other words, to choose mates that look like them

but some domestics choose in ways that are not understood

because colors not found in feral birds have been selected.

Such polymorphisms that the feral pigeons preserve can

play a major role in species survival. For example, predators

select according to a recognition template likely based on the

look of their prey. This allows birds with uncommon appearance

to escape recognition. These birds will preserve both the

common and the uncommon genes, so both the phenotypes will

survive. In some habitats, this has been shown to be crucial.

Trials with a captive Goshawk showed that it singled out white

pigeons from the flock. Such forms that occur in many species

may be sacrifices to predators that in effect protect the main

types.The most commonly occurring colors are blue, ashy red,

and brown. Of these, ashy red is genetically dominant, but wedont see a lot of it because it is one of the few things selected

against by both males and females: neither of them want a red

partner. Brown is recessive, and if we see a brown pigeon, it

may indicate that some domestic escapee has joined up with

the feral birds, although recessive traits occasionally appear on

their own naturally. Up to two dozen named plumage variants

are controlled by recessive genes, so many variants present in

a population are hidden to human eyes and will only rarely

appear. The interplay of patterns and colors is fascinating, but

without pictures, it is hard to go into it further here. Suffice to

remember that wild Rock Doves (and most feral pigeons) are

all in the plumage color and pattern called blue bar, which issometimes referred to as the wild type.

Enjoy the pigeons! They are amazing survivors to have

been able to get along so well with us humans. If only we could

get along with each other as well.

Remembering Greg Jennings

Tom Carlberg

The Forest Service receptionist relayed the news to me as Ibegan my journey back to Eureka from fieldwork near the townof Mad River: Greg Jennings, a friend and former coworker,had been struck and killed by a pickup truck as he bicycledhome from work. Shock and grief made concentrating on theroad difficult.

A pullout along the Van Duzen River beckoned.

I found myself walking upstream within the rivers sidechannel, now bone-dry. Gravel. Sand. Rock. I reached down,pried a small rock from its silty bed and examined it. At home,at our solstice site, is a collection of what we call mementorocks. Weve collected them from points near and far to helpground us in the memory of good places and good times withfriends. The rock I sought today needed to be black and white,something that embodied the duality of life: the forces of darkand light.

After scanning the cobble bar for a few minutes, Ifound what I was looking for. Turning it over slowly in my hands,I studied its angular, white phenocrysts embedded in a darkermatrix. Suddenly the wind kicked up, animating the cottonwoodleaves in the grove just upslope from where I stood. Somethingabout the planet keeping to its rhythms amid the chaos wascomforting, and it served to elevate my spirits. I lingered for a

moment, drinking in the north coast elixir of sun, warm breezes,trickling river, and dancing cottonwood leaves. Making my wayback to the pullout, I chanced on a black rock with white edgingthat was in the shape of a butterfly. Because butterflies serveas an icon for metamorphosis and renewal, the rock seemed tomake a silent plea for inclusion in our memento rock collection.I dropped the rock Id been carrying on the sand and placed thebutterfly-shaped one in my pocket.

In the past several years, theres been a noticeableuptick in my writing eulogies. This has prompted me to ponder,How much is enough, Tom? You dont want to dwell for too longin the maudlin zone, do you? To date, my response has beensomething along the lines of, Im a writer. This is what we do tohelp us process lifes passages, especially the tougher ones, like

grieving for the loss of a loved one.Later that evening, I learned the details of Gregs death:

he was wearing brightly colored clothing and was riding at thefar edge of pavement. An avid bicycle commuter, he was takingcare of his body, improving his heart capacity and muscle tone,while reducing his carbon footprint. His death was senseless, sounnecessary. In times of strife, the human spirit desires a silverlining amid the darkness. Maybe, I thought to myself, some goodcan come from his death. Maybe it can further the dialogue,underscore the importance of building the Annie & Mary/Arcatato Blue Lake multiuse trail. If Greg had been using the trail, thiswouldnt have happened.

Ive admired Greg, an ecologist for BLM, as I doecologists in general: for their ability to see the big picture,

for their heightened appreciation for the web of life. Ourconversations were wide ranging: the transitory nature of NorthCarolinas barrier islands, rare plants, projects at HeadwatersForest Reserve. Most recently, I recall a big smile creasing hisface as I spoke about my upcoming trip to South Africa andMadagascar.

The Annie & Mary trail will be built, as it must be.

Naming the trail in Gregs honor would be a fitting tribute.What I visualize is this: Im with my friends, biking the trailfollowing its dedication. Ive brought the butterfly stone,although Im not sure what to do with it. As we wend our way,the October sun blazes down. Grateful for the breeze, someonesuggests we take a break. Pausing to admire the view, welldrink again of the elixir: murmuring river, dancing cottonwoodleaves. Looking down from the bridge, perhaps salmon will bespied, making their way home.

Then what to do with the rock comes to me. Oftensomething is left behind during a christening: consider thebroken bottle of champagne against the bow. Pulling thebutterfly rock from my pocket, Ill give thanks to have knownsomeone so bright, caring, and inquisitive about our world.

Rearing back, I toss the rock, watching it fly for the last time.A small splash and a wave springs forth from the point ofimpact. Beneath the water the rock, wings outspread, sinksslowly. It arcs lazily through the water column until finally itmerges with bed loadtumbled down from the mountains,bound for the ocean.

You are in our prayers, Lisa.Seize this moment! Donations for the trail in Gregs

name can be sent to: Friends of Annie and Mary Rail Trail; POBox 804, Blue Lake CA 95525.

Tom LeskiwAugust 31, 2008

October Events at HumboldtBay National Wildlife Refuge,

Richard J. GuadagnoHeadquarters and Visitor

CenterCelebrate National Wildlife Refuges Week

Come Explore Nature A Family Fun DaySunday,October 12, 9 a.m. 3 p.m.

Spend the day, bring a picnic, and explore nature.Free activities include introductions to HBNWRs new QuestGuide, A Place in Between, and the new Childrens OutdoorExploration Area. Enjoy old favorites such as songbird housebuilding, leaf art printing, pond water microscopes, wildlifetattoos, Discovery Packs, and a Treats for Tweets bake sale.Binoculars and field guides are available for check-out use atthe refuge.

Free Guided Bird Walks at the Refuge

Join volunteer naturalist Louise Bacon-Ogden onWednesdays, October 1 and 15, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for birdwalks at the Salmon Creek Unit of Humboldt Bay NationalWildlife Refuge. Everyone is welcome. Directions to RichardJ. Guadagno Visitor Center: Take the Hookton Road Exit,#696, off Hwy 101 near Loleta and follow the brown signsto the HBNWR Salmon Creek Unit Headquarters and VisitorCenter. For more information or special accommodation, call(707) 733-5406 or visit http://www.fws.gov/humboldtbay.

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Field Notesby Stan Harris

Golden-crowned Sparrow Gary Bloomfield

Buff-breasted Sandpiper John Sterling

Mid Fall (22 Aug-25 Sep)

The silly season arrived right on historic schedules, with thisyear shaping up as a better-than-usual year for vagrants. It wasa period of generally nice, typical September weather, someovercast, some sunny days, many sunny afternoons with NWwinds; one day attempted a few showers but mostly failed. Twopelagic trips were conducted, both on 14 September, one for HSUornithology students off Eel River (thanks to Gary Lester for thereport), the other led by Ron LeValley and Rob Fowler to thesouth of Ft. Bragg, (extralimital to our usual area of coverage, butreported here anyway); these are cited in the following as HSUPTand FBPT, respectively. In addition, Adam Brown conducted a 1-hour sea watch from shore at Shelter Cove, 6-7 Sep; his resultsare cited in the following as SCSW. A personal request: When reporting birds to the bird box,please slow down and speak clearly, especially as regards your

name and the location of the bird. I frequently have to guess onthe names, especially last names, less often on locations. So if youdont see your report at all or incorrectly reported or your nameis missing or with fractured spelling, I can only do my best withwhat is on the box. Its OK to spell your name out for me! Abbreviations used: AB= Arcata Bottoms; AD= AlexandreDairy; AMP = Arcata Marsh Project; AOP = Arcata OxidationPond; BSLP = Butcher Slough Log Pond; CBG = ChadbourneGulch; CCH = Crescent City Harbor; CP = Cypress Patch onNorth Spit of Humboldt Bay; CRI = Cock Robin Island; EC =Eureka Channel; HBNWR = Humboldt Bay National WildlifeRefuge; JC = Jetty Channel, Humboldt Bay; KL = Klopp Lake;KN = Kneeland; LP = Loleta Pond; MKSP = MacKerricher StatePark; MLT = mouth, Lake Tolowa; mo = many observers; MRC= mouth, Redwood Creek; MRCP = Mad River County Park; NC= not confirmed; ND = no details or description; OM = OceanMeadows along Ten-Mile River; PPSP = Patricks Point StatePark; RCO = Redwood Creek Oxbow patch; TB = Trinidad Bay;TME = Ten-Mile River Estuary; VCB = Virgin Creek Beach

Black Brant: 1, MLT, 13 Sep (KB). Harlequin Duck: 2 males,TB, 15 Sep (MeH). Bufflehead: 1 female (oversummering?),AMP, 30 Aug+, (LT, et al.). Sooty Grouse: 1-2 seen on 4 days inAug, KN (BBu, DVZ). Wild Turkey:10, Whitlow Road, 1 Sep;6, Fruitland Ridge, 18 Sep (both JG). Red-throated Loon:1,TB, all summer (MeH), reported 23 Aug (GB) and 15 Sep(MeH); 1, Trinity Lake, 5-9 Sep (TE, JL, JS, JLo, SG), thoughtto be a first county record for Trinity County; 1, FBPT. PacificLoon: 1, TB, all summer, reported 15 Sep (MeH); 4, JC, 11Sep (LM); 1, HSUPT; 3, FBPT. Pied-billed Grebe: 1, FBPT(in harbor). Red-necked Grebe: 2, TB, 15 Sep (MeH). Laysan

Albatross: 1, HSUPT. Black-footed Albatross: 50, HSUPT; 20,FBPT. Northern Fulmar: 30, HSUPT; 6, FBPT. Pink-footedShearwater: 5, SCSW; 100, HSUPT; 530, FBPT. Flesh-footedShearwater: 1, FBPT. Bullers Shearwater: 125, HSUPT;45, FBPT. Sooty Shearwater: 120, SCSW; 300, HSUPT; 200,FBPT. Short-tailed Shearwater: 1, FBPT. Green Heron: 7reports of singles at AMP, lower Mad River, VCB, 15 Aug-6 Sep(mo). Coopers Hawk: 1, north Arcata from about 15 Aug-1 Sep(L&AP). Ferruginous Hawk: 1,OM, 18 Sep (KAHv); 1, CRI,24 Sep (SMcA). Golden Eagle: 1, Spanish Flat, Lost Coast, 20Aug (DD). Merlin: 1, Crab Park, 29 Aug (TL, MW); 1, MoxonRoad, 9 Sep (CO); 2, MLT, 13 Sep (KB). Peregrine: 1, HerrickRoad, Eureka, 29 Aug (TL, MW); 1, Elk River Wildlife Area, 8Sep (TL); 1, summit, Trinity/Siskiyou Co. line, Hwy 3, 9 Sep(SG); 1, Hammond Bridge, 15 Sep (TL); 1, CCH seen to catch

a Ruff, 21 Sep (LB); 1, FBPT (uncommon at sea). AmericanGolden-Plover: 2, AB, 30 Aug (DF, JP); 1 juv., AD, 7 Sep (LB);1 probable, Pelican State Beach (reasonable partial description)(AT). Snowy Plover: 6-11, TME, 6 Aug-1 Sep (KAHv). Black-necked Stilt: 1, lower Smith River, 19 Sep (LB). SpottedSandpiper: 1, BSLP, 6 Sep (LT); 1, Butcher Slough, 10 Sep(L&AP).Solitary Sandpiper: 1, LP, 10 Sep (MW, L&JN). LesserYellowlegs: x, AD, 1 Sep (LB); 2, AB, 4 Sep (SC); 3, MRCP, 24Sep (LPu). Whimbrel: lots, EC, 14 Sep (MMo). Long-billedCurlew: 1, Inglenook Creek, 28 Aug (KAHv); 1, VCB, 4 Sep(DT); 10, EC, 14 Sep (MMo). Marbled Godwit: 5-14, 16 Aug-13 Sep, VCB, Glass Beach (KAHv, BD). Ruddy Turnstone: 1,Glass Beach, 13 Sep (BD); 2, EC, 14 Sep (MMo). Red Knot: 3,CRI, 29 Aug (LB); 1, MLT, 5 Sep (LB); 2, 7 Sep; 6, 14 Sep; 2, 21Sep, all KL (SC, CM, KB). Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1, VCB,28 Aug (DT, KAHv); 1, Woodley Island, 6 Sep (CO); 1, Trinity

Lake, 7 Sep (JL, JS); 1, Crescent City, 8 Sep (JL, JS). BairdsSandpiper: 15 reports of 1-5 from Pelican Beach State Park, AD,MLT, Crescent City, Trinity Lake, MRC, MRCP, HBNWR, EelRiver x Van Duzen River, MKSP /Ten-Mile River, VCB, NoyoHarbor, 19 Aug-19 Sep (mo). Pectoral Sandpiper: 1, MLT, 5Sep (LB); 2, LP, 10 Sep (MW, L&JN); 1, CRI, 24 Sep (SMcA).Stilt Sandpiper: 1, AD, 1 Sep (LB).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 1 juv., AD, 1-4 Sep (LB, ABa); 1,MLT, 4-8 Sep (LB, JL, JS). Ruff: 1 female, mouth of Elk Creek,

CCH, seen to be caught by a Peregrine, 21 Sep (LB). WilsonsSnipe: 8, LP, 12 Sep (TL, MW). Wilsons Phalarope: 1, AD,1 Sep (LB). Mew Gull: 2, VCB, 13 Sep (DT). Sabines Gull:1, mouth, Klamath River, 8 Sep (JL JS); 3 ad., 1 juv., HSUPT.Caspian Tern: up to 16, 14-31 Aug, TME (KAHv). CommonTern: 2-10, mouth of Elk Creek, CCH, 31 Aug-5 Sep (LB); 1-6,Trinity Lake, 7-9 Sep (JL, JS, JLo, SG); 1, MLT, 13 Sep (KB); 2(+ 7 commic terns), FBRT. Elegant Tern: 190, CCH, 31 Aug-1 Sep (ABa); 2, FBPT. South Polar Skua: 3, FBPT. PomarineJaeger: 1, SCSW; 1, HSUPT; 6, FBPT. Parasitic Jaeger: 1,HSUPT; 2, FBPT. Pigeon Guillemot: 1 (winter plumage), KingSalmon, 3, 6 Sep (MW); 1, FBPT. Cassins Auklet: 40 HSUPT;4, FBPT. Rhinoceros Auklet: 7, HSUPT; 12, FBPT. EurasianCollared-Dove: The invasion marches on: some, Shelter Cove,23 Aug (GB); 3, Fortuna, 25 Aug-at least 4 Sep (RC); small

flock, Ft. Bragg, 1 Sep (FF); x, Indian Beach, Trinidad, 10 Sep(KB). Spotted Owl: 1, Doe Flat (Del Norte/Siskiyou line), 11 Sep(RF). Barred Owl: 1-2, Freshwater, 21 Mar-at least 1 Sep (RHe).Long-eared Owl: 1 after-hatch-year bird banded at Doe Flat, 17Sep (RF, MP, AA), may be the first county record for Del Norte.Nighthawk sp.: 2, catching moths around lights, Arcata Airport,17 Sep (AC, fide SC) (SH: probably a Common). ChimneySwift: 1+ with Vauxs swifts & swallows, AB, 9 Sep (JS, JL, RF),no details on ID given. Vauxs Swift: 430 entered a chimney at13th and I, 5 Sep (DF); 250 foraging over a meadow at DavisonRoad, 17 Sep (TL).White-throated Swift: 2, Alder Springs, 20miles south of Mt. Lassic, 3 Sep (TL). Lewiss Woodpecker:2, Trinity Lake, 9 Sep (SG); 1, KN, 14-15 Sep (BBu, DVZ); 1,location unintelligible over bird box, 21 Sep (DC, et al.). WesternWood-Pewee: 1-2, CP, 14, 17 Sep (CM, KB, SC); 1, StagecoachRoad, 22 Sep (MeH). Willow Flycatcher: 21 reports of 1-4

migrants at Mendocino Botanical Gardens, Lake Cleone, GlassBeach, OM, CBG, CRI, Cooper Gulch, North Spit, LanphereDunes, Blue Lake, Arcata, MRCP, Crannel Road, Orick Dump,Willow Creek Golf Course, 25 Aug-21 Sep (mo). HammondsFlycatcher (ND NC): 1, CBG, 17 Sep, (JHv; KAHv). SaysPhoebe: 1, Bald Hills Road, 9 Sep (KB); 1, KN, 4-9 Sep; 2, KN,16 Sep (both BBu, DVZ). Tropical Kingbird: 1, StagecoachRoad, 22 Sep (MeH). Plumbeous Vireo (ND, NC): 1, RCO, 20Sep (KI). Blue-headed Vireo (ND, NC): 1, Blue Lake riparian,22 Aug (KI); 1, Orick Dump, 27 Aug (LB). Philadelphia Vireo:1, Trinidad, 15 Sep, good details (MeH); 1, narrows, Lake Earl/Tolowa, 17 Sep (ABa), no details. Red-eyed Vireo (ND, NC): 1,CBG, 17 Sep (KAHv, JHv): 1, Cher-Ae Hts (Scenic Drive), 19Sep; 1, Orick Dump, 20 Sep (both KI). Gray Jay: 4, Eureka GolfCourse, 11 Sep (GL). Black-billed Magpie: 1 flew across Hwy

96, 9 miles upstream (Klamath River) from Humboldt CountyLine, 12 Sep (KS). Horned Lark: 1 juv., CCH, 5 Sep (LB). BankSwallow: 1, HSUPT, 8 miles off Eel River. Bewicks Wren: 1,McKinleyville, 10 Sep (KB). House Wren: 1, Alder Spring,south of Mt. Lassic, 3 Sep (TL). American Dipper: mouth,Telegraph Creek, Shelter Cove, 6-7 Sep (ABr). Ruby-crownedKinglet: 1, Bayshore Mall, 19 Sep (TL). Townsends Solitaire:1, Red Lassic, 3 Sep (TL). Western Bluebird: 1-3 on 9 of 31days in Aug, KN (BBu, DVZ); 4, Fruitland Ridge, 20 Sep (JG).Northern Mockingbird: 1, Shelter Cove, 6-7 Sep (ABr). BrownThrasher: 1, Hardy Creek, 20 Sep (JW). American Pipit: x,lower Mad River, 6 Sep (G&LL). Tennessee Warbler: 1, CooperGulch, 30 Aug (RF); 1, CP, 14, 16 Sep (DC, et al., BC); 1, LittleRiver, 19 Sep (KI). Northern Parula: 1, BSLP, 5 Sep (BC).Chestnut-sided Warbler: 1, McKinleyville, 6 Sep (KR); 1, CP,11-14 Sep (mo); 1, Arcata, 15 Sep (RF); 1, MRCP, 17 Sep (AL);1, PPSP, 17 Sep (KI); 1 banded, Lanphere (?) Dunes, 22 Sep (??).Magnolia Warbler: 1, Skunk Tracks, Ft. Bragg, 14-15 Sep (JHv,DT); 1 Orick Dump, 21 Sep (KI). Cape May Warbler (ND,NC): 1, Arcata, 16 Sep (BC). Black-throated Green Warbler(NC): 1, 1 mile west of Orick, 18 Sep (KI), skimpy description.Blackburnian Warbler: 1, Bayshore Mall, 19-23 Sep (TL, KB).

Palm Warbler: 1, Elk Head, 18 Sep (BBa, TG); 1, AMP, 19 Sep(anon). Blackpoll Warbler: 2, North Spit , 11 Sep (LM); 1, CP, 12-14 Sep (DF, KB, CM, DC, et al.); 1, CBG, 24 Sep (GCh, KAHv);1, Bayshore Mall, 21 Sep (AL). Black-and-white Warbler: 1,CBG, 19 Sep (JW). American Redstart: 1, BSLP, 8-10 Sep (LM,

L&AP); 1, CP, 11-17 Sep (mo); 1, MRC, 13 Sep (KI); 1, UsalBeach, 13 Sep (JW); 1, Glass Beach, 13 Sep (KAHv). NorthernWaterthrush: 1, AOP, 26 Aug (RF); 1 banded, Lanphere Dunes,29 Aug (JaW); 1, mouth of Widow White Creek, 6-7 Sep (LM,GL); 1 (2?), BSLP, 11-15 Sep (4 reports of 1, 1 report of 2) (mo).1, Elk River Wildlife Area, 15 Sep (SC); 1, Hwy 101 x Bald HillsRoad, 14 Sep (KI); 1, Usal Beach, 9 Sep (KAHv, DT). HoodedWarbler: 1 female, MRC, 13 Sep (KI); 1 male, MRC, 14 Sep(KI). Canada Warbler: 1, Usal Creek, 13 Sep (KAHv); 1, Ft.Bragg, 14 Sep (RF, KAHv). Western Tanager: 3 in a vineyard,Fruitland Ridge, 18 Sep (JG). California Towhee: 1, HammondTrial, McKinleyville, 30 Aug (RR); 1, MRC, 11 Sep (KI); 1,OM, 18 Sep (KAHv), perhaps returnee from last year? Clay-colored Sparrow: 1, CBG, 19 Sep (JW); 1, Westport Harbor, 20Sep (JW). Vesper Sparrow: 1, Usal Creek, 19 Sep (JW). LarkSparrow: 1, KN, 3 Aug (BBu, DVZ); 1, Mendocino BotanicalGardens, 17 Sep (DT). Grasshopper Sparrow: 1 juv., seen 3days in late Aug (last 24 Aug), KN (BBu, DVZ). Fox Sparrow(assumed to be Sooty form unless otherwise noted): 1, BayshoreMall, 2 Sep (TL); 1, MRCP, 9 Sep (RF); 1, Eureka, 11 Sep (PB);x, Elk River Wildlife Area, 15 Sep (SC); numerous, Doe Flat,form not indicated, 11 Sep (RF, et al.). Song Sparrow: 1 largedark bird, well described, with heavy dark chocolate tones aboveand below, obviously a migrant from the NW or Alaska, UsalBeach, 19 Sep (JW). Swamp Sparrow: 1, Crannel Road, 24Sep (KI). Lincolns Sparrow: 1, AMP, 6 Sep (CM); 2, Arcata,8 Sep (L&AP); 1, CP, 11 Sep (LM). Golden-crowned Sparrow:1 singing, BSLP, 30 Aug (LT); 1 singing, AMP, 7 Sep (CM); 1Doe Flat, 11 Sep (RF, et al.), these 3 are all very early dates, NC,ND; 1, Elk River mouth, 21 Sep (SC), more normal fall arrivaldate. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 female heard, only glimpsed,

MRCP, 9 Sep (JL, JS, RF); 1 male, Fieldbrook feeder, photos, 10,15 Sep (ES). Bobolink: 1 flyover, Eureka, 23 Aug (KI). Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1, AMP, 9 Sep (L&AP); 1, V St. Loop, 19 Sep(Chris ?). Evening Grosbeak: 4, Azalea Hill, 23 Aug (GL); 3,Doe Flat, 11 Sep (RF); 150, Cher-Ae Heights, 19 Sep (KI).

Many thanks to the following who shared incidental reportswith us this period: Amy Amones, Jan Andersen, Alan Barron,Bob Baterson(?), Catlyn(?) Bishop, Gary Bloomfield, PatBritton, Adam Brown, Heather Brown, Lucas Brug, BarbaraBurek, Ken Burton, Allen Campbell, Brent Campos, ScottCarey, George Chaniot, Daryl Coldren, Ruth Crane, GaryCrites, Duke Diehl, Barbara Dolan, Todd Easterla, DavidFix, Feather Forestwalker, Rob Fowler, Tony Gadard(?), JohnGaffin, Steve Glover, Cara Gore, Melody Hamilton, StanHarris, Jim Havlena, Karen Havlena, Rob Hewitt, RichardHubie, Mary Hubner, Ken Irwin, Oscar Johnson, GailKenny, George Kiminski(?), Alexandra Lamb (AL), Angie

Landsbury(?), Tom Leskiw, Gary Lester, Lauren Lester, RonLeValley, Jim Lomax, Don Longe (?), John Luther, LarryMaurin, Sean McAllister, Mary Meyer, Mark Morrissette,Cindy Moyer, Lew & Judie Norton, Chet Ogan, Marisa Parish,Larry & Aurora Pitts, Jude Power, Leslie Pucci, RichardRidenhour, Kerry Ross, Keith Slauson, Edy Smith, RebeccaSmith, Dave Spangenberg(?), John Sterling, Dorothy Tobkin,Lauren Tompkins, Amber Transou, Matt Wachs, Jerry White,Jared Wolfe, Dan Van Zile.

Please call future reports to the Arcata Bird Box (707)822-5666, to me at (707) 822-3802, e-mail them to me atswharris@arcatanet.com, send them to me at 1595 CharlesCt., Arcata, 95521, or write them on the observation board atthe Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center.

Important Note: After 29 years, I will not be able tocompile the Centerville Christmas Bird Count this year as Ihad originally intended. We need someone to take the countover for this (scheduled for 4 January 2009) and future years.If no one steps forward, the count will die. This will be the50th year for the count. Call me to get my records and themaps.