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The photos were taken with a Canon EOS Rebel-X camera with a Canon 100-300 mm, f4-4.5 zoom lens and either Kodak or Fuji ISO 200 speed slide film. Digital scans were made from prints.
"It wasn't really a birding trip," I kept saying, as my wife Mary and I spent two wonderful weeks taking in the natural sights all over northern California. And great sights they are, from the windswept headlands of Point Reyes to the rugged coast of Mendocino and Trinidad, the majestic redwoods of Muir Woods and Humboldt- Redwoods State Park, the huge ice cap of Mount Shasta towering 9000 feet over the surrounding plateau, the geothermal features of Lassen Volcanic National Park, sapphire-blue Lake Tahoe, the bizarre tufa formations of briny Mono Lake, the basalt columns of Devil's Postpile National Monument, the glacier-carved domes and valleys of Yosemite National Park, the unexpected rock formations at Pinnacles National Monument, and the great crescent of Monterey Bay.
However, I squeezed in a fair amount of birding anyway. Not that Mary dislikes birds, but she likes them either big or flashy, not the little brown things that are hard to track in the binoculars. Needless to say, she doesn't keep any lists either. However, she likes butterflies, and we saw a good number of these as well. This report covers mainly the birding aspects of the trip.
Special thanks to Cliff and Lise Bixler and Todd Newberry of Santa Cruz, who gave me lots of advice and then took me out for a great morning of birding on their home turf.
Flight to San Francisco. Motel in South San Francisco, near the airport. No notable birds.
An early morning walk along a water channel through an industrial area turned up a few nice birds, including Whimbrel, Black-crowned Night-heron, Snowy Egret, and a Caspian Tern. A California Towhee was feeding its young on a fence behind the motel.
We crossed over the hills to the coast, which we first encountered at Rockaway Beach, south of Pacifica. There, we encountered for the first time the incredible richness of the coastal bird life, with lots of gulls (first life bird: the oh-so-abundant Western Gull) and such goodies (for a midwesterner) as Brown Pelicans, lots of Western Grebes, Surf Scoters, a Pacific Loon, a Black Oystercatcher, and some Pigeon Guillemots. Furthermore, there were Harbor Seals, and even some dolphins (possibly all gray, long-snouted with a white snout tip, and a prominent recurved dorsal fin, indicating either Bottlenose or Common Dolphin, both unusual this far north).
A short drive north brought us into San Francisco to Lake Merced, where a Red Phalarope had been reported on the hotline during the prior week. The latter wasn't found, but there were still nice birds, including a pair of Ruddy Ducks and an Osprey.
The typical summer fog caught up with us on the Golden Gate Bridge, but the view from the north lookout was breath-taking. For a completely different scenery we visited the redwoods at Muir Woods N.M. With the many tourists and at mid-day, the birding was slight. Nevertheless, there were new species, such as Chestnut- backed Chickadee and Pacific-slope Flycatcher, and of course the ubiquitous Steller's Jay. A scenic overlook (WWII-era artillery positions) high above Muir Beach was interesting with a flock of Bushtit and a good look at a Bewick's Wren.
Audubon Canyon Ranch was closed, but the large egret rookery was visible from the roadside, where there were also good birds to see on the lagoon side: a Long- billed Curlew and a resting mixed duck flock.
At Point Reyes, where we tried unsuccessfully to find the hotline Horned Puffin at Goat Rock, we added some more of the common coastal birds: Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorants, Elegant Tern, and Common Murre. The lighthouse area was all fogged in, thus we only heard the sea lions. Over the grasslands, we had our first quick glimpse of a White-tailed Kite, and there were several Northern Harriers. We drove into the night and headed north along U.S.101 to a motel in Ukiah.
We took narrow Orr Springs Road (later Comptche Ukiah Road) toward Mendocino. The near absence of traffic allowed us to stop for birds (I did most of the driving), and we had much better looks at two White-tailed Kites. We walked through another redwood grove at Montgomery Woods St. Res., where we had the entire grove practically to ourselves, unlike bustling Muir Woods. Near the entrance, I heard the insistent peeping of some Pygmy Nuthatches, but I didn't see the birds.
Mendocino was another great spot to look over the sea from a rocky cliff. There are many scenic vantage points, but the most productive (bird-wise) was from south of the river mouth. There were quite a few loons of all three "common" species in a variety of plumages. Among those identified was a Red-throated Loon in breeding plumage, possibly a bird on the threshold to adulthood that decided not to breed yet this year. The Tufted Puffin from the hotline was not to be found.
MacKerricher St.P. was very crowded with beachgoers, and the freshwater lagoon only held a Green Heron to be seen. Yet, among the rocky shore there were birds feeding, among them Wandering Tattler, Black Turnstone, and a skittish flock of four Surfbirds.
Much of the afternoon was spent driving first along the coast, then through Humboldt-Redwoods St.P. The scenic bypass ("Avenue of the Giants") is recommended for seeing lots of big trees, but there weren't many birds.
Upon reaching Humboldt Bay, I drove on a whim to the municipal boat ramp in Fields Landing, and I arrived in shorebird heaven! While Mary admired the sunset, I studied the peep (hundreds of Western and Least Sandpipers) and let the Marbled Godwit walk up close for photos. Furthermore, both turnstone and a Semipalmated Plover were found. An Osprey flying by and Black-crowned Night- herons perched on the posts completed the picture.
If Fields Landing was shorebird heaven, low tide on the Samoa Peninsula was paradise! The only problem was finding a place to pull over and look at them. Eventually, a place was found near the Cookhouse to look (unfortunately against the sun) over the masses of Marbled Godwit, peep, Semipalmated Plover, dowitcher sp., and smaller numbers of Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, and Willet. On the ocean side, Sanderlings were found on the beach. Elegant Terns were fishing in the swirling tidal currents at the tip of the peninsula, where a Pacific Loon hung out as well.
Our next stop was at scenic Trinidad, where we were told there were nesting Tufted Puffins. Unfortunately, nobody told us where to look, and I suspect one needs a boat to see the nesting colony. Furthermore, the fog crept up on the ocean side of Trinidad Head, and once again we heard noisy sea lions bark somewhere out there without getting a look. However, the dense low shrubbery of Trinidad Head was excellent habitat of that little devil, the Wrentit.
Misleading information in the DeLorme atlas led us to stop at the Azalea St. Res. near Arcata: Azaleas don't bloom in the "first part of July ... and continue for several weeks," but in late May and early June, and the park looked pretty miserable. However, the birds liked it, and I had good looks at Lesser Goldfinch, Western Wood-pewee, and immature/female rusty Selasphorus hummingbirds. Based on location and elevation, Allen's Hummingbird would be the likely species, whereas Rufous should be at higher elevation in late July. The rest of the afternoon was spent on a scenic, but long and tiring drive across the Coast Range and along the Trinity and Klamath Rivers. We found lodging in Yreka.
I rose early for some birding along Hawkinsville-Humbug Road (off CA 263 north of Yreka). The Yreka sewage ponds (along 263) had several Wood Ducks, and Black-headed Grosbeak, Plain Titmouse (soon to be Oak Titmouse), and Vaux's Swift were also present. A family of California Quail crossed the road in Hawkinsville. Where Hawkinsville-Humbug Road crosses a large cattle pasture, Lark Sparrows were all over the road and on the fence. Further up the hill, in oak chaparral, I added Black-throated Gray Warbler, Solitary (Cassin's) Vireo, and higher up near the ridge Spotted Towhee. An accipiter got away before I could get a good look.
Many more Spotted Towhee were seen in sage with scattered Ponderosa pine near the intersection of County Rd. A12 and U.S.97, where we stopped for a postcard picture of Mt Shasta. Grass Lake (rest area along U.S. 97) held Black Terns and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.
Near Dorris, we saw the first American White Pelicans that frequent the nearby Klamath Basin refuges. We took the one-way loop through Lower Klamath Lake NWR, which had lots of pelicans, egrets, coot, grebes, and swallows. Ducks were distant, and the teal and scaup were not identified with certainty. However, shorebirds eluded us (White Lake was dried up completely) here and also at Tule Lake, where we stopped at the refuge headquarters. There, Rufous Hummingbirds were fighting over feeders, and a Bullock's Oriole popped up from a cottonwood tree.
Lava Beds N.M. was interesting with its caves (some even containing a layer of ice at the bottom!), but there were few birds, except for families of Western Bluebird and Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler. The search for lodging took us on CA 139 and 299 through the Big Valley area (important waterfowl, crane, and raptor areas at other times of the year) to the little town of Fall River Mills.
The motel owner had a feeder that was frequented by Anna's Hummingbirds. Furthermore, I found a Nuttall's Woodpecker and some Lesser Goldfinches moving through the backyards. Then we drove toward Lassen Volcanic N.P. A stop among some young pines north of the park yielded the only Fox Sparrow of the trip. It was of the slaty-backed type, but I couldn't see its bill to determine if it was large-billed.
Manzanita Lake at the northern park entrance invites for the scenery, but good birds were there, too: Orange-crowned and immature warblers (that were at that time identified as Townsend's Warblers, retrospect proably erroneously -- possibly Hermit Warblers), and a Red-breasted Sapsucker at close range. The woods in the higher reaches of the park (Summit Lake) didn't produce any interesting finches (Cassin's Finch was eventually seen on the south slope). Just south of the summit, a Mountain Bluebird flew across the road. I managed to stop for a better look. A large, immature accipiter soared over the deep ravine of East Sulphur Creek, where no self-respecting Cooper's Hawk should be found, thus it had to be a Northern Goshawk. However, I would like to have a better look at this potential life bird. Of course, Lassen has much more to offer than birds, and we thoroughly enjoyed the scenery.
We found lodging at the cabins of Fire Mountain Lodge (the lodge is planned for the future), along Guernsey Creek south of the park. Because it was still early in the evening, we drove up a gravel road to Wilson Lake. The biggest surprise there were five Bufflehead females, considerably south of the breeding ground indicated in my field guides. We also watched an Osprey catch a fish. At dusk, I sat by the creek near the lodge and watched the bats fly around, when first a Spotted Sandpiper, then two American Dippers flew in to feed along the creek.
We returned to Lassen Volcanic N.P. to walk the trail to the Bumpass Hell hydrothermal features, which are very reminiscent of Yellowstone. Along the trail we encountered an incredibly unafraid (stupid?) male Blue Grouse which allowed itself to be photographed at close range. In the same area we also found the only Townsend's Solitaire of the trip.
We then continued east toward the east slope of the Sierra Nevada. Where the highway crossed a bay of Lake Almanor, near Chester, there was quite a bit of waterfowl, including the first Canada Geese of the trip and a family of Common Merganser. The cemetery of the tiny town of Janesville has been recommended as a reliable spot for Lewis's Woodpecker by both the Westrich book and by a contributor to BirdChat, who found them there during a Big Day in the spring of 1997. Sure enough, there were at least two of these unusual woodpeckers, one to be observed in detail. Furthermore, Acorn Woodpeckers were jamming acorns into numerous holes on an abandoned utility pole.
After a brief thundershower, we drove, partly over gravel roads, to Honey Lake St.W.A., only to find out at the headquarters that the main area (Fleming Unit) was closed until hunting season. However, we were directed back over the gravel roads to the Dakin Unit, which was quite rewarding with numerous shorebirds, albeit at some distance, breeding California Gulls, and terns. We also found a Virginia Rail there. It is possible to drive a loop, but we parked at the southeast parking lot and walked south on an overgrown dike.
At the suggestion of the Westrich book, we checked out Red Rock Canyon, which leads from U.S.95 into Nevada between Doyle and Hallelujah Junction (does anybody know the history behind that intriguing name?). The colorful cliffs were visible from the road, but an attempt to hike closer was thwarted by a barbed wire fence and some guys with holstered guns and metal badges that I didn't want to investigate too closely. We drove up further into the canyon, but didn't find any other place to hike nor many birds. At a turnout however, there were two Rock Wrens (adult and juvenile). This is now the one and only species on my Nevada state list. The rest of the evening was taken up with the drive to our next destination, South Lake Tahoe.
Our first goal was the scenic overlook over Emerald Bay, from where we saw through the scope a Bald Eagle perched in a distant tree. The trails near the Forest Service visitor center (near Tallac Point) were more suitable for birding. The view over the marsh yielded Black-crowned Night-herons, a Forster's Tern, Common Merganser, the beach had California Gulls, and in the pine woods were Hairy Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, and Western Wood-pewee.
At a lunch stop near the closed access gate to Heenan Lake (along Calif.89 on the west slope of Monitor Pass) we found a much closer Bald Eagle (their nesting was the reason the gate was closed), and a Green-tailed Towhee popped out of the sage. Down from the east slope of Monitor Pass, we stopped in a canyon where I was able to pish a Warbling Vireo and a Spotted Towhee out of the creek-side willows.
Along U.S.395, in the wet meadows just west of Bridgeport, the sight of a raptor (and the photogenic view onto the snow-covered peaks of Hoover Wilderness) caused me to pull over. The raptor turned out to be a male Northern Harrier, and a Common Snipe flushing from a roadside ditch was the bonus bird.
In light of the sparse civilization east of the Sierras, we checked into a motel room in Lee Vining early afternoon and spent the rest of the day exploring the Mono Lake area. In the sage meadow below the visitor center there were numerous Brewer's Sparrows, Bushtit, and several Sage Thrashers. The hike through Panum Crater was geologically interesting, but not for birds. Violet-green and Tree Swallows perched on the bizarre rock formations of the South Tufa area. At the advice of the Westrich book, we drove on Hwy. 120 across the pumice flats to the Jeffrey Pine forest, where there were supposed to be Pinyon Jays. Indeed, I heard some calling from the trees but only caught a fleeting glimpse when one finally flew out of hiding and disappeared in the distance. Woodpeckers were calling, but only a Northern Flicker was identified. However, I found a Western Tanager and both, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees. Nighthawks flew around as we drove back in the twilight.
So far, I hadn't seen any of the tens of thousands of phalaropes that were supposed to be around Mono Lake this time of the year, but the ranger at South Tufa suggested to look at the Mono County Park on the north shore. This became my destination for an early before-breakfast birding outing, and I wasn't disappointed. From the end of the boardwalk, I could see lots of Wilson's and Red-necked Phalaropes, and after they got used to my presences, they came quite close. Other birds of note were Eared Grebe, two Virginia Rails, at least two Sora, a Rufous Hummingbird, a Marsh Wren, singing but invisible Yellow Warblers, Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers.
Our next stop was the Devil's Postpile N.M. near Mammoth Lakes, a scenic area that's actually west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada. Note that access for daytrippers is only by shuttle bus, which adds extra time. There weren't all that many birds in evidence, but the sight (first discovered by my non-birding wife) of a Black-backed Woodpecker made up for it. We both enjoyed seeing several Western Tanagers at close range. I thought I heard a Cordilleran Flycatcher in the pine woods, but I'm not really sure, and I don't have any accurate range information at my disposal.
The rest of the day was taken up with the drive over 10,000 ft high Tioga Pass (California Gulls even at this elevation!) into Yosemite N.P. We made an extended stop at Tuolumne Meadows. At one point our binoculars attracted the attention of some English tourists who told us that they had seen lots of colorful birds on the other side of the meadow at Soda Springs. Since their description matched Pine Grosbeak to a T, we raced over there, but the only red bird found was a Cassin's Finch. Without advance reservations, the nearest lodgings to the park that night were in Merced, 80 miles away, where we checked into a motel for two nights.
We spent the entire day at Yosemite N.P. where the birds took second place to the scenery and other natural attractions (e.g., Giant Sequoias). Nevertheless, we noted Acorn Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, and a female hummingbird (probably Black-chinned) in the vicinity of Lower Yosemite Falls. We also encountered a coyote who passed our car no more than 10 feet away without paying much attention to us.
Once again, I did some early morning birding, a drive through the agricultural area (irrigation ditches along most rural roads) outside Merced. There were many Yellow-billed Magpies, including a leucistic bird that was pale tan where it should have been glossy black. Loggerhead Shrikes, Mockingbirds, and Western Kingbirds were perched on the wires, and numerous herons were found in the ditches. The best one was an American Bittern which I was able to photograph. A Red-shouldered Hawk (much more red than our eastern birds) flew into a group of trees, and Black Terns flew around.
Later that day, in the vicinity of Los Banos, we noticed Cattle Egrets among a herd of cattle. In the parching midday sun, and to my wife's displeasure, we explored the Los Banos State Wildlife Area, which was quite disappointing. Exceptions were a flock of soaring White Pelicans and two Black Phoebes.
Next we drove south from Hollister toward Pinnacles N.M. At a reservoir south of town we saw, besides numerous Mallards, Caspian Terns and herons, several more Black Phoebes, and a Cooper's Hawk trying to catch one of them, unsuccessfully. Pinnacles was still hot, but at least there was shade as we walked the trail to the reservoir. The scenery is spectacular and totally surprising from the surrounding area. Very cooperative Acorn Woodpeckers and a Nuttall's Woodpecker were at the parking lot, where upon our return a Canyon Wren walked among the cars. Turkey Vultures were especially numerous, but unfortunately we didn't see any other raptors (Prairie Falcon and Golden Eagle are supposed specialties). Along the trail we found Plain (Oak) Titmouse, Bushtit, Rock Wren and Bewick's Wrens, Wrentit, and a female Phainopepla. Band-tailed Pigeons and White-throated Swifts flew around the rock pinnacles. We arrived late in the Monterey area (Marina), where we stayed for the remaining four nights of the trip.
We spent most of the day on a Shearwater Journeys pelagic trip in Monterey Bay. Other than a whale-watching excursion on a much bigger boat in Massachusetts (one pelagic bird species), this was our first pelagic birding foray. Mary came along mainly for the mammals, and several Humpback Whales, Northern Fur Seals, and the many California Sea Lions around the harbor didn't disappoint. I was more impressed with the thousands and thousands of Sooty Shearwaters, which were joined for some time by a good dozen Black-footed Albatross and several Pink-footed Shearwaters. Everybody got really excited when a Flesh-footed Shearwater briefly checked us out. Other than the ubiquitous Common Murres (many adult/chick pairs) and Pigeon Guillemots (near the harbor), the only alcid that I saw was a Rhinoceros Auklet, but others saw two more of the same and some Cassin's Auklets. Three immature jaegers (identified by others, but not by me, as one Parasitic, one Pomarine, and one Parasitic/Long-tailed) caused further excitement. Several Northern Fulmars joined the gull trail periodically. I thought this was a very interesting trip, and I would readily do it again (maybe at a different season for variety), but Mary thought it was a couple of hours too long for her taste. At least, none of us got seasick...
After some refreshments, we drove to Point Pinos and on the scenic 17-mile drive. This allowed us some excellent looks at Sea Otters and lots more Sea Lions. On the sandy beach of Spanish Bay, there was an interesting mix of shorebirds including Snowy Plovers (one with color bands which have been reported), Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, both turnstones, Sanderling, and Willet. Black Oystercatchers were on the rocky cliffs. It was also unusual to see egrets hunt from the floating and swaying kelp. And of course there were the usual gulls (picture of a Heermann's Gull).
While Mary explored Carmel, I spent the morning birding with Cliff and Lise Bixler and Todd Newberry who were very helpful. I didn't make it easy for them since this late into the trip, I had already seen most of the regular and seasonal birds, and so we concentrated on the few remaining species. First was Tricolored Blackbird which we found by the hundreds at a dairy farm near Elkhorn Slough. The sanctuary was closed for the day, but driving around its perimeter was still rewarding, especially for shorebirds. We also found two owls, first a Great Horned Owl in an eucalyptus tree, and a little later a gorgeous Barn Owl perched on a fence post.
Next, we checked out a few places in Santa Cruz. First, we drove to the arboretum of the university, where the Ericaceae collection attracts many hummingbirds, mainly Anna's and Allen's. Band-tailed Pigeons were easily seen on the wooded university campus. At the state park, I finally got a quick look at a Pygmy Nuthatch. The search for Hooded Oriole, however, was unsuccessful, but a male California Quail perched on a martin house made for an unusual sight (unfortunately no camera at hand).
Todd and I met my wife at Moss Landing, where we scanned the roosting Elegant Terns for possible rarities (none found). A Common Loon, a White-tailed Kite, and various shorebirds were also seen.
After a helping of culture (visit to the mission at San Juan Bautista), we decided to return to Pinnacles N.M., but this time on the west side (access from Soledad). A Greater Roadrunner appropriately ran across the road on the way into the monument. We started fairly late in the afternoon but nevertheless climbed almost all the way to the top of High Peaks. Not far from the parking lot a nearly endless stream of California Quail (well, at least about 50 birds) moved along the hillside, where I was also able to discern a California Thrasher. The only other new species was Rufous-crowned Sparrow which I found during the descent in the twilight. Again, we didn't see any interesting raptors, but noted several empty nest sites (possibly Prairie Falcon). The White-throated Swifts became quite numerous in the last sunlight of the day, and after sunset there were many bats.
We spent a good portion of the day among the crowds at Monterey Aquarium. Its aviary had several shorebirds, and it was interesting to compare phalaropes at close range. Outside the building were the usual common coastal birds (picture of a White-crowned Sparrow). For the remainder of the day, we went to scenic Point Lobos which had quite a few birds, but nothing new. The rock with the thousands of Brandt's Cormorants was impressive, though, and the Brown Pelicans were numerous. I was able to discern three Pacific Loons in one of the bays.
A quick early-morning stroll to the beach yielded many roosting gulls, Common Loon in the surf, and a few shorebirds (Sanderling, Willet, Black-bellied Plover). Disturbing were the numerous Common Murre carcasses on the beach, but I was assured by some biologists who were checking them out that this was normal during this time of the year. A sewage pond held peep and Red-necked Phalarope.
On the way back to the San Francisco airport, we stopped again at the U.C. Santa Cruz arboretum to look at hummingbirds (and interesting plants). Our last stop was at the Palo Alto Baylands for the last life bird of the trip: a Clapper Rail which we first heard clapping and then saw from the boardwalk trail at very close range (photo). Furthermore, there were numerous shorebirds (Mary especially liked the Black- necked Stilt), Forster's Terns, White Pelicans, and a male Northern Harrier. The remainder of the day was taken up by travel necessities and the four-hour flight back to Chicago.
Life birds are indicated by an asterisk (*). The qualifiers (parentheses and question marks) should be evident from the context. I observed 196 probable species, 188 solidly identified. 40 species were brand new, and another five confirmed ancient, dubious records from my "pre-birding" days. One species, while not a life bird, was new for the ABA area (Wandering Tattler). For common species, the daily observations are omitted in this list.
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co., 1 in breeding plumage
Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co., 1
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co., several
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co., 1
8/5/97 Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co., 3
Common Loon Gavia immer
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co., few
8/4/97 Moss Landing, Monterey Co., 1
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., 3
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Common in freshwater
7/24/97 Lake Merced, San Francisco, San Francisco Co.
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., photo
7/28/97 Wilson Lake, Tehama Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., 1
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Large numbers at the big inland lakes
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., photo
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co.
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis
Both on the coast and on inland lakes
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co., flock
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co., several
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., many
7/29/97 Chester, Plumas Co., few
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co., several
* Black-footed Albatross Diomedea (Pheobastria) nigripes
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., 10-20 (up to 6 at a time), photo
* Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., 3
* Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., 10-20 (up to 3 at a time), photo
* Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes
A lucky find -- quite rare
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., 1
* Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., photo
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Inland waters, including San Francisco Bay
7/27/97 Dorris, Siskiyou Co., distant flock
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., dozens, photo
7/29/97 Chester, Plumas Co., dozens
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., 50
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co., large flock soaring high
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., 3
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Quite common and conspicuous along the coast
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co.
7/24/97 Bolinas Bay, Marin Co., photo
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co., photo
7/25/97 MacKerricher St.P., Mendocino Co.
(not recorded in Humboldt Co. on 7/26; probably an omission in notes)
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/5/97 Monterey and Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co.
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
Mainly inland and in sheltered coastal bays
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co.
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/26/97 Eureka, Humboldt Co.
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/29/97 Chester, Plumas Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
* Brandt's Cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Most numerous cormorant along the rocky coast
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
7/26/97 Trinidad Head, Humboldt Co.
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/5/97 Monterey and Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co., photo
* Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Smaller numbers, but in same places as Brandt's Cormorant. However, the two
species usually remain separate, with Pelagic occupying lower portions of the
rocks.
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co.
8/5/97 Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co.
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., 1 landed and "froze" along an irrigation ditch, photo
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Common in small numbers, mainly in fresh water
....
Great Egret Ardea alba
Generally more numerous than Great Blue Heron, lesser preference for fresh water.
Several times observed standing on floating kelp (Monterey area).
....
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Less common in the north than in central CA. Several times observed standing on
floating kelp (Monterey area).
7/24/97 South San Francisco, San Mateo Co.
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co.
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/5/97 Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co., photo
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
8/2/97 Los Banos, Merced Co., flock among cattle
Green Heron Butorides virescens
7/25/97 MacKerricher St.P., Mendocino Co., 1 at the fresh water lagoon
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., 1 immature in irrigation ditch
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
7/24/97 South San Francisco, San Mateo Co., 1
7/24/97 Lake Merced, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., colony
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co., 2
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., 1
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co., 2
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co., 2
8/3/97 Monterey harbor, Monterey Co., 1
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., 1
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., several, photo
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
For someone who lives with suburban nuisance geese, the near absence of such
was surprising
7/29/97 Chester, Plumas Co., flock
8/3/97 Monterey, Monterey Co., in residential pond
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
Wood Duck Aix sponsa
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., several in sewage treatment pond
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Common and frequently ignored
....
* Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., distant view
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
Lesser (?) Scaup Aythya affinis (?)
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., distant view
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata
Always on the ocean, usually in good numbers
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co., flock
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
7/26/97 Trinidad Head, Humboldt Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co.
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
7/24/97 Bolinas Bay, Marin Co., 1 head sticking out of a resting mixed duck flock
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
A surprise, as their breeding range is supposed to be further north
7/28/97 Wilson Lake, Tehama Co., 5 females
Common Merganser Mergus merganser
7/24/97 Bolinas Bay, Marin Co., at least 1 with resting mixed duck flock
7/29/97 Chester, Plumas Co., female and 10 ducklings
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co., female and ducklings
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
7/24/97 Lake Merced, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., pair
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Commonly seen while driving and not always recorded. Especially numerous at
Pinnacles N.M. (San Benito Co.)
....
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
7/24/97 Lake Merced, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., 1
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co., 1
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co., 1
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co.
7/28/97 Fall River Mills, Shasta Co., 1
7/28/97 Wilson Lake, Tehama Co., 1
* White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co., 1 quick glimpse while
driving
7/25/97 Orr Springs Road, Ukiah, Mendocino Co., 2 much better view
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co., 2
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co., 1
8/4/97 Moss Landing, Monterey Co.
8/5/97 Monterey, Monterey Co., 1 on a pole in a residential area?
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co., 1 very distant at Emerald Bay
7/30/97 Heenan Lake, Alpine Co., 1 perched on dead tree
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/30/97 Bridgeport, Mono Co., 1 adult male
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., 1 adult male photographed
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., quick glance of a small accipiter
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., 1 or 2 near U. of C. campus
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii
8/2/97 Reservoir S of Hollister, San Benito Co.
?* Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
One of my nemesis birds, and still not yet a satisfactory look for a certain
identification
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., 1 immature large accipiter
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., 1
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Many more unidentified hawks seen while driving
....
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Quite common
....
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
I am surprised that we didn't see any and heard only one pheasant
7/27/97 Tule Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., heard only near refuge headquarters
Blue Grouse Dendragapus obscurus
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., 1 very cooperative male along the
Bumpass Hell trail,
photographed
California Quail Callipepla californica
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., family group
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., few
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., 1 male perched on a martin house (no camera
at hand!)
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 30-40, photo
* Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., 1 at close range,
photographed
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., 1, photo
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., 2
Sora Porzana carolina
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., at least 2 but heard more, photo
American Coot Fulica americana
7/24/97 Lake Merced, San Francisco, San Francisco Co.
7/27/97 Grass Lake, Siskiyou Co., 1 immature
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., lots
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., adult with chicks at Manzanita
Lake
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., municipal pond
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., 5 on beach
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., 2
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., 2 on beach
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
* Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., 5-6 on beach, one
color-banded (L: orange/white, R: orange/blue)
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co., 1
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co., lots
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Common, not always recorded
....
Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani
Fairly common along rocky coast in small numbers; very noisy!
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co., 1
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
7/25/97 MacKerricher St.P., Mendocino Co., photo
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., 3+
8/5/97 Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co., 3+
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
Good numbers in marshy areas
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., photo
American Avocet Recurvirostra americana
Surprisingly absent from the inland lakes (especially Honey Lake)
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., 2 in flight
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., several
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
There might have been some Lesser Yellowlegs mixed in at Honey Lake, but only
this species was observed with certainty.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., many
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., 2 asleep
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
(*) Wandering Tattler Heteroscelus incanus
Not a life bird, but new for ABA area
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co., 1 distant, uncertain ID
7/25/97 MacKerricher St.P., Mendocino Co., several, photo
8/3/97 Monterey harbor, Monterey Co., 1
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., 1
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
7/28/97 Fire Mountain Lodge, Tehama Co., 1 along creek
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co., 1
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
A bird I hadn't seen for many years prior to this trip.
7/24/97 South San Francisco, San Mateo Co., 1 in flight
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co., several
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., 4
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., 2
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus
7/24/97 Bolinas Bay, Marin Co., 1, possibly more in distance
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., several
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., several
8/4/97 Moss Landing, Monterey Co., several
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., 1
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co., ca. 20, photo
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co., hundreds, photo
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., lots
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Moss Landing, Monterey Co., several
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co., 2
8/3/97 Monterey harbor, Monterey Co., 1
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., 1
* Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala
7/25/97 MacKerricher St.P., Mendocino Co., lots, photographed at close
range
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co., 2
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., several
* Surfbird Aphriza virgata
7/25/97 MacKerricher St.P., Mendocino Co., 4
Sanderling Calidris alba
Always in flocks on sandy beaches
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co.
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co.
* Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co., lots, photo
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co., lots
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., outnumbered by Least
Sandpipers
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., 2 along sewage pond
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Usually seen in large numbers
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co.
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., 2 along sewage pond
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
Some may have been Short-billed, but only this species was confirmed (by call
note)
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co., distant dowitchers
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., flock
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., 4
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
7/30/97 Bridgeport, Mono Co., 1 flushed along highway
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor
Only seen inland
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., 1
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., thousands, photo
(*) Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Confirmation of an earlier, uncertain observation.
Inland, along coast, and off-shore. Most birds already in basic plumage.
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., thousands
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., scattered birds, photo
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., 1 on beach
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/5/97 Marina, Monterey Co., on sewage pond
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., 12 on sewage pond
Parasitic (?) Jaeger Stercorarius (parasiticus ?)
At least 3 immature jaegers were seen. One was considered this species by almost
unanimous decision among the leaders. A difficult call.
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co.
Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni
Common along the coast. Apparently they had just arrived from their breeding
grounds.
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co., photo
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co., strong northward passage around
Goat Rock
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
7/26/97 Eureka, Humboldt Co.
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co.,
photo
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/5/97 Monterey, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co.
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Mainly seen inland
7/24/97 South San Francisco, San Mateo Co.
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Fields Landing, Humboldt Co., photo
7/26/97 Eureka harbor, Humboldt Co., photo
7/27/97 Grass Lake, Siskiyou Co.
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/29/97 Chester, Plumas Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
California Gull Larus californicus
Along coast and inland, some at very high elevations
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co., photo
7/25/97 MacKerricher St.P., Mendocino Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co.
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co.
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co.
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co.
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co., top of Tioga Pass at 10,000 feet
elevation
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., roost on beach, separate from Western Gulls
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
7/26/97 Eureka harbor, Humboldt Co., 1
* Western Gull Larus occidentalis
The abundant gull along the coast
....
Sabine's Gull Xema sabini
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., 2, 10 miles off-shore
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
7/24/97 South San Francisco, San Mateo Co., 1
7/24/97 Lake Merced, San Francisco, San Francisco Co.
7/27/97 Lower Klamath NWR, Siskiyou Co., photo
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co.
8/2/97 Reservoir S of Hollister, San Benito Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Moss Landing, Monterey Co., outnumbered by Elegant Terns
* Elegant Tern Sterna elegans
Strictly coastal and quite numerous
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
7/26/97 Eureka, Humboldt Co.
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co., photographed while feeding
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/4/97 Moss Landing, Monterey Co., large roost
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co., 1
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
7/27/97 Grass Lake, Siskiyou Co., several
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., 2 over irrigation ditch
Common Murre Uria aalge
Common along and off coast
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co.
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., many with chicks, photo
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/5/97 Monterey, Monterey Co.
Pigeon Guillemot Cepphus columba
Common along coast, less so offshore than Common Murre
7/24/97 Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, San Mateo Co.
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
7/26/97 Trinidad Head, Humboldt Co.
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/5/97 Monterey, Monterey Co., photo
?* Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus
This one remains on the list to be confirmed
8/3/97 Seventeen Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., 1 not well seen
Rhinoceros Auklet Cerorhinca monocerata
8/3/97 Monterey Bay, Monterey Co., 1, 10 miles off-shore
Rock Dove Columba livia
Common in cities and around farms
....
* Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
Possibly overlooked and dismissed as Rock Dove at times
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 2
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., several on U of C campus
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Common
....
* Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1 running across the road
* Barn Owl Tyto alba
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., 1 perched on a fence post
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., 1 in a tree
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
Seen primarily in the evening while driving
7/27/97 Tule Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/28/97 Fire Mountain Lodge, Tehama Co.
7/29/97 Sierraville, Sierra Co.
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co.
* Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., several near sewage ponds
White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 3
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., many around sunset
Black-chinned (?) Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri
8/1/97 Yosemite N.P., Mariposa Co., 1 female, probably of this species
Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna
7/28/97 Fall River Mills, Shasta Co., 2+ feeder at motel
8/4/97 UC Arboretum, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., several in Ericaceae
collection
8/4/97 Mission San Juan Bautista, San Benito Co., 2 territorial males
8/6/97 UC Arboretum, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., photo
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus
7/27/97 Tule Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., 2+ feeder at refuge headquarters
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., 1
* Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin
7/26/97 Azalea Reserve, Arcata, Humboldt Co., 2 Rufous/Allen's, this species
more likely
8/4/97 UC Arboretum, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., several in Ericaceae
collection
8/6/97 UC Arboretum, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., photo
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
7/24/97 Bolinas Bay, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Ten Mile River Bridge, Mendocino Co.
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/29/97 Sierraville, Sierra Co.
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co.
* Lewis's Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis
7/29/97 Cemetery, Janesville, Lassen Co., 1 or 2, good looks at one
* Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus
7/24/97 Bolinas Bay, Marin Co., 1 not seen well while driving
7/29/97 Cemetery, Janesville, Lassen Co., 2+ at food cache (utility pole),
photo
8/1/97 Yosemite N.P., Mariposa Co., 1
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 2+ photographed near parking lot
Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber dagetti
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., 1 at Manzanita Lake
* Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii
7/28/97 Fall River Mills, Shasta Co., 1 in a backyard
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., near parking lot
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
7/26/97 Azalea Reserve, Arcata, Humboldt Co., 1
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., 1
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., 1
7/29/97 Fire Mountain Lodge, Tehama Co., 1
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co., 3
8/1/97 Yosemite N.P., Mariposa Co., 2
* Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus
The most uncommon species seen on the entire trip (excluding pelagics)
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co., 1
Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker Colaptes auratus
7/26/97 Trinidad Head, Humboldt Co., 2
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co., 2
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co.
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus
7/26/97 Azalea Reserve, Arcata, Humboldt Co., 1
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co.
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co., several
8/1/97 Yosemite N.P., Mariposa Co.
* Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis
Common in woods near coast
7/24/97 Muir Woods N.M., Marin Co.
7/25/97 Montgomery Woods St. Res, Mendocino Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/5/97 Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co.
? Cordilleran Flycatcher Empidonax occidentalis
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co., heard only
* Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Not found north of San Francisco Bay
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co., 2
8/2/97 Reservoir S of Hollister, San Benito Co., 2
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., 2
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., 2 photo
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., photo
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co.
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co.
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co., photo
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina
Mainly at higher elevations
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co.
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co., many perched on tufa formations
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., photo
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co.
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co.
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
Cliff Swallow Hirundo (Petrochelidon) pyrrhonota
The second-most common swallow
7/24/97 Bolinas Bay, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/29/97 Truckee Summit, Nevada Co.
7/30/97 Heenan Lake, Alpine Co.
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co.
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co.
8/4/97 San Juan Bautista, San Benito Co.
8/6/97 Baylands, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
The most common swallow
....
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
Common and numerous around picnic areas near woods
....
Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica
More common south of San Francisco Bay and at lower elevations than
Steller's
7/25/97 Orr Springs Road, Ukiah, Mendocino Co.
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
7/27/97 Lava Beds N.M., Siskiyou Co.
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co.
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co.
8/5/97 Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co.
?* Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Most likely this species, but not seen well, at a classic location in Jeffrey
pines
7/30/97 Mono Mills hist. site (south of Mono Lake), Mono Co., saw 1 briefly,
heard more
Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana
Not seen outside Lassen, although it was quite numerous there
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
Black-billed Magpie Pica pica
Only east and north of the Sierra Nevada
7/27/97 Tule Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., 1
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
7/30/97 Topaz, Mono Co.
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co.
* Yellow-billed Magpie Pica nuttalli
Only west of Sierra Nevada
8/1/97 Merced, Merced Co., 1 along road
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., many, including a highly leucistic bird (light tan
where it should be black), photo
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 6
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
Common, mainly near settlements and farmland
....
Common Raven Corvus corax
Common, mainly in wilder areas
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Ukiah, Mendocino Co., 1 sitting next to a crow -- what a size
difference!
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co.
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co.
8/1/97 Yosemite N.P., Mariposa Co.
8/2/97 Along Hwy. 25, Hollister, San Benito Co.
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co.
? Black-capped Chickadee Parus (Poecile) atricapillus
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., 1, uncertain identification
Mountain Chickadee Parus (Poecile) gambeli
Common in Sierra Nevada
7/28/97 Wilson Lake, Tehama Co.
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co.
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co.
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co.
* Chestnut-backed Chickadee Parus (Poecile) rufescens
Common along coast
7/24/97 Muir Woods N.M., Marin Co.
7/25/97 Orr Springs Road, Mendocino Co.
7/26/97 Samoa, Humboldt Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
8/5/97 Point Lobos St.Res., Monterey Co.
* Plain (Oak) Titmouse Parus (Baelophus) inornatus
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co.
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co.
* Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus
Usually seen in flocks
7/24/97 Muir Beach Overlook, Marin Co.
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co.
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co.
8/5/97 Point Lobos St. Res., Monterey Co.
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis
Never seen, only heard
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co.
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co.
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co.
* Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea
7/25/97 Montgomery Woods St. Res., Mendocino Co., heard only
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
7/24/97 Muir Woods N.M., Marin Co.
7/25/97 Montgomery Woods St. Res., Mendocino Co.
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/30/97 South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Co.
8/1/97 Yosemite N.P., Mariposa Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., heard only
* Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus
The only species noted during our little foray into Nevada
7/29/97 Red Rock Canyon, Washoe Co., NV, 2
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1
* Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 2, one walking around cars in parking
lot
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., heard only
* Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii
7/24/97 Muir Beach Overlook, Marin Co., 1
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 2
8/5/97 Point Lobos St. Res., Monterey Co., heard only
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., 1
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
7/24/97 Lake Merced, San Francisco, San Francisco Co.
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., 1
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., 1
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co.
American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus
7/28/97 Fire Mountain Lodge, Tehama Co., 2 (or twice the same bird?)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
7/25/97 Orr Springs Road, Ukiah, Mendocino Co., 1
* Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana
7/27/97 Lava Beds N.M., Siskiyou Co., 1 adult and 2 young
Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., 2 along road
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co., 1 near Soda Springs
Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., 1 along Bumpass Hell trail
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
I would have never picked out the call note by myself, but my companions
did
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., heard only
American Robin Turdus migratorius
Common
....
* Wrentit Chamaea fasciata
Amazing, how close they come without ever leaving cover!
7/26/97 Trinidad Head, Humboldt Co., 8-10
7/26/97 Azalea Reserve, Arcata, Humboldt Co., 2 photographed
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., 1
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Seen only in southernmost portion of trip
7/24/97 South San Francisco, San Mateo Co.
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co.
8/4/97 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co.
Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co., 5
(*) California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum
Confirmation of a record from pre-birding days
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
7/26/97 Trinidad Head, Humboldt Co.
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
* Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens
8/2/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1 female
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus
Usually on wires or fences along the road
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., several
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co.
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Common around towns and farms
....
Solitary (* Cassin's) Vireo Vireo solitarius (cassinii)
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., 1
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
7/30/97 Canyon outside Topaz, Mono Co., 1
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 1
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., 1
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., 1
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co.
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., heard only in willows along boardwalk
Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler Dendroica coronata
7/27/97 Lava Beds N.M., Siskiyou Co.
7/28/97 Lassen N.F., Shasta Co.
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co., large family group at Soda Springs
* Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., 3
Warbler species Dendroica sp. (at the time identified as
Townsend's, but would be out of range)
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co., several immatures near Manzanita
Lake
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
7/27/97 Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., 1
8/2/97 Los Banos St.W.A., Merced Co., 1
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
7/25/97 Orr Springs Road, Mendocino Co., 2
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., 1
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co., 1
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana
7/30/97 Mono Lake area (Jeffrey Pines), Mono Co., 1
7/31/97 Devils Postpile N.M., Mammoth Lakes, Madera Co., several
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., 2
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus
7/30/97 Heenan Lake, Alpine Co., 1
7/30/97 South of Mono Lake, Mono Co., 1
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., 1 seen and heard more
7/27/97 along U.S.95, Siskiyou Co., quite a few in sage and loose Ponderosa
pine
7/30/97 Canyon near Topaz, Mono Co., 1
7/30/97 South of Mono Lake, Mono Co.
(*) California Towhee Pipilo crissalis
Confirmation of a record from pre-birding days
7/24/97 South San Francisco, San Mateo Co., 2
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
7/27/97 Tule Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co.
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co.
* Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
8/4/97 Pinnacles N.M., San Benito Co., 2 on a rocky slope
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
7/27/97 Lava Beds N.M., Siskiyou Co.
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co.
Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri
7/30/97 Mono Lake area, Mono Co., many near visitor center and 1 in Jeffrey
pines
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co., many on pasture along Hawkinsville-Humbug Road
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co., in dune grass
7/30/97 Bridgeport, Mono Co., 1
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
7/28/97 Lassen N.F., Shasta Co., 1, slate-colored or thick-billed form (head not
seen well)
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
Common
....
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
7/24/97 Muir Beach Overlook, Marin Co.
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
7/25/97 Mendocino, Mendocino Co.
8/5/97 Point Lobos St. Res., Monterey Co.,
photo
8/6/97 Marina, Monterey Co.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco Junco hyemalis
Common at higher elevations
....
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Common. Some of these might have been Tricolored Blackbirds
....
* Tricolored Blackbird Agelaius tricolor
8/4/97 Elkhorn Slough (Moon Glow dairy farm), Monterey Co.
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
7/27/97 Yreka, Siskiyou Co.
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co.
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co.
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
7/27/97 Grass Lake, Siskiyou Co., several
7/29/97 Honey Lake St.W.A., Lassen Co., large flock
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus
The most common blackbird, seen in various habitats
....
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Probably seen many more, but not noted
7/31/97 Mono Lake Co.P., Mono Co., 1
8/2/97 Merced, Merced Co., several around farms
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii
7/27/97 Tule Lake NWR, Siskiyou Co., 1 near refuge headquarters
Cassin's Finch Carpodacus cassinii
7/28/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co., at Soda Springs
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus
Common near settlements
....
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus
7/29/97 Lassen Volcanic N.P., Shasta Co.
7/31/97 Yosemite N.P., Tuolumne Co.
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria
7/26/97 Azalea Reserve, Arcata, Humboldt Co., family group
7/28/97 Fall River Mills, Shasta Co., flock in backyards
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis
Unidentified goldfinches were seen many times, but this species was only noted
once
7/24/97 Point Reyes Natl. Seashore, Marin Co.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Common around settlements
....
Not bad for a trip that really wasn't a birding trip.