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Carpooling to and on RRAS field trips is stronglyencouraged. Its economical, its fun, and its the rightthing to do! Impromptu carpools to trips meet in thefollowing parking lots at the times indicated in the tripannouncements: Trinidad (Park & Ride, Main Street exit,

west side of 101), HSU (northwest corner of Harpst andRossow Streets, opposite Student Services), Eureka (Park& Ride, Herrick Avenue exit), and Fortuna (Park & Ride,Kenmar Road exit). Be there a few minutes early and seeif anyone else is there for ridesharing. If you would like toprearrange a carpool, try using the RRAS listserv. Pleaseoffer your driver some gas money.

Every Saturday. Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.These are our famous rain-or-shine field trips at the marsh;take your binocular(s) and have a great morning birding!Meet in the Klopp Lake parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Call KerryRoss ([707] 839-4365) for more information. Carpools:Trinidad 8:10 a.m., Eureka 8:05 a.m., Fortuna 7:45 a.m.

Sunday, April 6. King Salmon. Matt Wachs ([707] 476-9349) leads this walk on his home turf to work on loon,grebe, and duck identification and discuss HumboldtBay ecology. The exceptionally low tide should produce

large numbers of relatively close birds, many in breedingplumage. Meet at 8:00 a.m. in front of Gills By the BayRestaurant (please park on the street, not in the restaurantparking lot). Dress warmly. Carpools: Trinidad 7:15 a.m.,HSU 7:30 a.m., Fortuna 7:40 a.m.

Saturday, April 12. Owling the Hinterlands. Join us aswe explore some of the back roads of central HumboldtCounty in search of owls. With luck, we may hear Barn,Great Horned, Spotted, Barred, Western Screech-, and/orNorthern Saw-whet Owls, but dont expect to see them.The trip will last about three hours. Meet Ken Burton([707] 839-5179) at the HSU carpool location (see above)at 7:00 p.m. Carpools: Trinidad 6:40 p.m., Eureka 6:35p.m., Fortuna 6:20 p.m.

Sunday, April 13.Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.This is a wonderful, two- to three-hour trip for peoplewanting to learn the birds of the Humboldt Bay area. It

takes a leisurely pace with emphasis on enjoying the birds!Beginners are more than welcome. Meet at the RefugeVisitor Center at 9:00 a.m. Call Jude Power or David Fix[(707] 822-3613) for more information. Carpools: Trinidad8:10 a.m., HSU 8:25 a.m., Eureka 8:45 a.m., Fortuna 8:45a.m.

Redwood Region Audubon Society www.rras.org

FIELD TRIPSSunday, April 20. Southern Humboldt Community Park.Jay Sooter ([707] 444-8001), Robert Sutherland, and/or Doug Wallace (peregrinenation@asis.com) will leadthis monthly walk. All ages and experience levels areencouraged to participate and revel in the beauty of thepark and its avian inhabitants on this easy, two- to three-

hour walk. Binoculars are not provided, and dogs are notallowed; field guides are usually available, but pleaseprovide your own if possible. Steady rain cancels. Meet at9:00 a.m. in the parking lot on Kimtu Road in Garberville.Carpools: Trinidad 7:00 a.m., HSU 7:20 a.m., Eureka 7:35a.m., Fortuna 7:55 a.m.

Saturday, May 3. Kings Range/Shelter Cove. KeithSlauson ([707] 839-9056; kslauson@fs.fed.us) and RobertSutherland will lead this all-day trip to the chaparral, oakwoodlands, and coast of southwestern Humboldt County insearch of California Thrasher and nesting seabirds, amongothers. High-clearance vehicles, especially 4WD, would be

handy. Those wishing to leave Friday evening (May 2) andcamp ($8/night/site, no showers) can carpool or caravanwith Keith; contact him to coordinate meeting locationand time. Those wishing to join the trip Saturday morningcan meet the group at the BLMS Nadelos Campgroundon Chemise Mountain Road promptly at 8:30 a.m.; pleasenotify Keith before May 2 if you plan to do this. Saturdaymorning carpools: Trinidad 6:05 a.m., HSU 6:15 a.m.,Eureka 6:40 a.m., Fortuna 7:00 a.m.

For those wishing to combine the previous and followingtrips into a two-day camping adventure (Friday and Saturday

nights), we will camp again at Nadelos CampgroundSaturday night and depart Sunday morning to join theAlderpoint trip in Garberville. Contact Keith at the numberor e-mail address above to arrange transportation.

Sunday, May 4. Alderpoint. Enjoy the birds, plant life,and reptiles of the Eel River canyon on this halfday tripjust south of Alderpoint. We will walk the railroad tracksabout two miles to Cain Rock trestle and back (there are notrains). Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,Ash-throated Flycatcher, and similar birds of dry habitats insoutheast Humboldt County can be expected. A short sidetrip to Smith Point Bridge to enjoy White-throated Swiftsmay be made following the trip. Diogenes lantern, interiorlive-oak, and birch-leaf mountain-mahogany will be seen aswell. Take sun protection, layered clothing, and a small packfor carrying lunch and water. Meet in the Rays Food Placeparking lot in Garberville at 8:30 a.m. We should return tothe Humboldt Bay area by midafternoon. Contact DavidFix or Jude Power ([707] 822-3613 or dfxjcp@humboldt1.com) for more information. Carpools: Trinidad 6:35 a.m.,HSU 6:50 a.m., Eureka 7:15 a.m., Fortuna 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, May 10. International Migratory Bird Day Walkin Orleans. See details inside. Carpools: Trinidad 5:40 a.m.,

HSU 5:45 a.m., Eureka 5:25 a.m., Fortuna 5:10 a.m.

The andpiperSAPRIL 2008

X

X

X

Please join us for our monthly program (in adifferent location this month) in conjunction withthe Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival.

Premier birder and eBird Project Leader BrianSullivan, from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology,will demonstrate how eBird has revolutionizedthe way that birders report and access informationabout birds. The website http://www.eBird.org isamassing one of the largest and fastest-growingbiodiversity data resources in existence. In 2007,participants reported more than 8 million birdobservations across North America! Learn about

the concept of eBird, how it works, and how youcan contribute your observations to help conservebirds and biodiversity.

The lecture will follow the Godwit Daysopening reception (starting at 5 p.m.), which is freeto the public, and presentation of the RRAS StudentBird Art Contest and Writing Contest awards at

7 p.m., Friday, April 18at the Arcata Community Center,

Community Park Way, ArcataThank you for ensuring that our meetings

are fragrance-free.

Where BirdingMeets Science

at eBird

April Program at Godwit DaysSPRING MIGRATION BIRD FESTIVAL

2007 Joan Dunning

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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 1054EUREKA, CA 95502

CHAPTER LEADERSOFFICERS

President Pablo Herrera.....................845-8166President-Elect-- Ken Burton.................839-5179SecretaryAdam Brown.......abrown@prbo.orgTreasurerSam Price......sam.price@yahoo.com

DIRECTORSKen Burton ........................................839-5179Sean McAllister .......................................496-8790Kerry Ross ........................................839-4365C.J. Ralph ........................................822-2015Jay Sooter ........................................444-8001

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

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

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

Education Shana Stearn ............442-1461

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...............HELP NEEDED

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.

Audubon Awards at Godwit

Days Birding Festival

On Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m., immediately followingthe free Godwit Days Opening Reception at the ArcataCommunity Center, RRAS and Friends of the Arcata Marshwill be recognizing winners in the 5th Annual Student BirdArt Contest. Cash prizes totaling $600, and honorablemention certificates will be awarded to artworks selectedfrom entries by local school children from kindergarten

through high school. All entries in the contest will beposted in the Community Center throughout the festivalfor public viewing, with copies of the winners on display atthe Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center during May and June.The winners of the 3rd Annual Student Nature WritingContest, sponsored by RRAS, will also receive their awardsfollowing the Opening Reception.

A bountiful bouquet of gratitude to all who helped makethis years Audubon Banquet and Auction a success!Preliminary figures show that net proceeds were over$2,000, nearly double the usual amount for this popularfundraiser. We couldnt have done it without a loyalcadre of volunteers to help solicit and gather donationsand make the banquet run smoothly.

A hearty RRAS round of applause goes to JanAndersen, Ken Burton, Kerry Ross, Jay Sooter, SamPrice, Frances Madrone, Lew and Judie Norton, ElyseKelly, Chet Ogan, Sue Calla, Rick Hiser, and Thor andElaine Holmes. Thanks also to musicians Cindy Moyer

and Karen Davy, who lent a touch of class with theirlovely violin playing. Emcee Jim Clark and AuctioneerGreg King kept the evenings events moving along in alively way.

Businesses and individuals who donated wonderfulitems for the auction also deserve our thanks. With themoney raised from their donations, RRAS can continueto support our local community through conservation,education, field trips, and weekly bird walks.

A standing ovation to: Aleutian Goose Festival,Arcata Exchange, The Art Center, Bed Bath and Beyond,Bubbles, Bucksport, Carter House Inns, Curleys Grill,

Old Town Coffee and Chocolates, Egret Bites, EurekaNatural Foods, Figueiredos, Finnish Country Saunaand Tubs, Folie Douce, Friends of the Arcata Marsh,Freshwater Farms, Gills by the Bay, Golden Harvest,Hensels Hardware, Jay Sooter Spas, Kokotat, LBJEnterprises/Godwit Days, Los Bagels, Margy Emerson

Tai Chi, McKinleyville Press, Mirador Glass, Natural

Selection, North Coast Redwood Interpretive Association,Northern Mountain Supply, Northtown Books, OhanaOrganics, Piersons Building Center, Plaza Design, ProSport Center, Rays Food Place, Strictly for the Birds,Swanlunds Camera, Terrys Blue Grass Barber Shop,Tin Can Mailman, Tomas Jewelers, Venlo Chocolates,Violet-Green Winery, Frank Anderson, Rick Bennet,Gary Bloomfield, Sue Calla, Kay Chaffee, MarianColeman, Gail Coonen, Libby George, Elyse Kelly,Garretta Lamore, Carol Lawrence and Tom Cockle, RonLeValley, Lynne Parker, Pete and Nancy Spruance, SaraStarr, and Gwen Thoele.

Special thanks go to the Days Inn staff, who wentthe extra mile to provide a pleasant venue, deliciousmeals, and excellent service.

Last but not least, thank you to all who attended!The gift of your presence helps make Redwood RegionAudubon such a vibrant group.

Banquet Bouquet of Thanks!By Jennifer Tompkins

Sue Leskiw & Jan Andersen 2008 Tom Leskiw

National Audubon Society

Board Approves Wind Power

Policy

The NAS Board approved Audubons policy on windpower at its January 2008 meeting in Tiburon, California.The policy, developed by Director of ConservationPolicy Mike Daulton and Global Warming CampaignDirector Julia Levin, supports properly sited wind power

as a clean alternative energy source that reduces thethreat of global warming. Wind-power facilities shouldbe planned, sited, and operated to minimize the negativeimpacts on bird and wildlife populations.

To read the entire policy, please visit: http://eidertrk.Audubon.org.

Tom Leskiw & Virginia Springer 2008 Sue Leskiw

At the RRAS Annual Banquet andArt Auction on March 1, VirginiaSpringer accepted the Lifetime

Karen Davy & Cindy Moyer 2008 Sue Leskiw

Lifetime Conservationist Award to Paul Springer

facets of volunteering for RRAS.

Conservationist Award givenposthumously to her late husband andRRASs most revered and now-missed

member, Paul Springer. Tom Leskiwgave a warm speech about Paulsmany contributions to conservation,most notably his efforts on the partof the Aleutian Goose to wrest thespecies (then considered a subspecies)back from the brink of extinction.In addition, Tom read many of thecomments people sent him of theirremembrances of Paul as a teacher,role model, and friend (printed in anearlier issue of The Sandpiper).Sue Leskiw presented RRASs2008 Member of the Year Award toSandpiper editor Jan Andersen for hersix years of Board service, editorshipof The Sandpiper, and many other

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Redwood Region Audubon Societywelcomes the following newmembers and subscribers:

Arcata Violet HalesBayside Jiki Betts, Eva LaervashCrescent City J. LongoEureka Matt Johnson, Kathleen Pelley, FlorineSmith, Mark WestonFerndale Chrys HamperHoopa The Hosler FamilyKneeland Karen RaskinMiranda John ChristiansonSamoa Bob WatersSmith River Rochelle OdomMcKinleyville Naomi MeyerTrinidad Mr. & Mrs. Ira SamuelsWillow Creek Evelyn Takane

We look forward to seeing you on field trips andat our monthly programs.

Keep Up-to-Date Through RRAS ListserveBe reminded about field trips and programs and learnabout upcoming meetings, public hearings, and symposiaof interest to RRAS members and other concernednature lovers. Subscribe in 1 of 2 ways: through a Web

page link at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rras or bye-mail to rras-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Postingsshould have complete information. This listserv is notfor posting bird sightings.

California Quail 2008 Ron LeValley

Be a Birder Feeder:Volunteer at the Godwit Day Cafe

By Jennifer Tompkins

As the new RRAS Volunteer Coordinator, I am thego-to person when someone in the group needs help.This could include leading a walk, labeling envelopesfor mailings, or being that friendly face at the RRAS

information table at Godwit Days and other events.My job is to find volunteers. Your job is to tell me ifyou are that person.

An immediate way to help is to volunteer atthe RRAS-sponsored Godwit Caf during the GodwitDays Spring Migration Bird Festival. RRAS provideshungry birders with much-needed sustenance in theform of coffee, tea, or sodas, chili, soup, and snacks.Chet Ogan needs help with setup, serving, and cleanupfrom Saturday, April 19, through Sunday, April 20.The Caf will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., andvolunteer shifts are typically two to three hours. Help

is also needed with cooking on Thursday, April 17.If you are interested in being a birder feeder, pleasecall Chet at (707) 442-9353 or Jennifer at (707) 443-6959.

In addition, If you would like to be on a callor e-mail list for upcoming volunteer opportunities,please call or e-mail me: tompkins@telis.org.

Slideshow: Friday, May 9, 7:00 p.m;Bird Walk: Saturday, May 10, 7:30 a.m.

February 13, 2008. The phone rang. It was KerryRoss. Do you want to chase the Arctic Loon thatwas reported at Stone Lagoon? Rob Fowler and Igot a tantalizing look yesterday, but it was late andthe lighting poor. Id like to, but were packing

for a trip. Can you call me if you see it? Willdo, Kerry responded. About an hour later, thephone rang. The birds for real. OK, Im on myway. I turned to Sue. Try to make it quick, shesuggested. Theres packing to be done.

If you chase birds, then your life is atestament to a bond: the magnetic pull of the wingedones. Driving northward, I couldnt help but reflecton the toll that birding can take on a relationship.A nonbirding spouse can growunderstandablyweary of this other relationship: our unpredictable,beguiling, and fickle mistress of the skies.

Wedding vows come in a vast array offlavors and perspectives. Theres religious andsecular, patriarchal and pagan, New Age and OldSchool. I pondered the unique dynamic of livingwith a chaser, seeking words that might consoleduring travails while honoring both relationships.

If I ve been successfulin communicating my love for youthen you know thatI would never place anyone above you.

You say it was my passionFor you, for communityand for the planet thatdrew you to me.Passion is what you requested,And passion is what you shall receive.

There will be timeswhen my allegiance to the winged oneswill seem to come between us.Times when commitments to

family, holidays, and other celebrations

will be honoredBut perhaps not as timely as Id promised.

For these occasionsI apologize in advanceand regret the timesthat will test your patience.

There are a multitude of sinsthat can cause a partner to drift:Drink, gambling,or into the arms of another.

I pledge to you todaythat none of these will come between us.

The bard of birdsRoger Tory Peterson once remarked thatthe Creator has a special fondness

for creatures with wingssuch as angels and birds.

In you I have found my angelAnd I hereby ask for your blessingto avidly pursue the Others.*

*Writer Paul Shepard coined the term the Others,in his 1996 book, The Others: How Animals Made UsHuman.

February 22, 2008Copyright Tom Leskiw, 2008

A Birders Wedding Vows

Orleans Tony Hacking Bigfoot Birding Day:

Celebration of International Migratory Bird Day

All events are free, open to the public, and willbegin at the Panamnik Building, 38150 Highway 96,in downtown Orleans. The evening slideshow by KeithSlauson will feature amazing photos, songs, and calls ofthe birds we hope to see the following day. Also availablefor viewing at Panamnik will be a selection of artworksubmitted by children in the Orleans area for the 5th AnnualGodwit Days Student Bird Art Contest and the winningentries for the 3rd Annual Childrens Nature WritingContest, both sponsored by Redwood Region AudubonSociety.

This event is part of the International MigratoryBird Day celebration and honors longtime Orleans areaForest Service biologist Tony Hacking, whose workprotecting wildlife habitat served as an inspiration to all.Keith Slauson and Tom Leskiw will lead the Saturday walkthrough local riparian habitats. Both have many yearsexperience leading trips for local Audubon chapters andbird festivals. Bring the whole family! Binoculars willbe available for loan, and spotting scopes will be set up forup-close views.

For out-of-towners, lodging is available at SandyBar Ranch and elsewhere. Contact Blythe or Mark at

mail@sandybar.com for details. Contact Tom Leskiw([707] 442-5444) for event information.

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Field Notesby Stan Harris

Contributors

Abbreviations used: AB = Arcata Bottoms, AMP = ArcataMarsh Project; AOP = Arcata Oxidation Pond; BSE =Butcher Slough Estuary; BSLP = Butcher Slough LogPond; ERB = Eel River Bottoms; HO = hold over; KS =

King Salmon; mo = many observers; MRC = mouth ofRedwood Creek; NC = not confirmed; ND = no details ordescription; NJ = North Jetty; SRB = Smith River Bottoms;SS = South Spit.

Greater White-fronted Goose: 2, V St. Loop, 11 Mar (JK);12, ERB, 18 Mar (JK); 5, Fay Slough Wildlife Area, 24Mar (KB). Lesser Snow Goose: 1, AB, 14 Feb (KR); 1,Arcata-Eureka Bottoms, 7 Mar (DC). Black Brant: 12,900seen from KS, 10 Mar (MW). Cackling Cackling Goose: 1,AOP, 4, 10 Mar; an estimated 150 in a flock of about 3,000Aleutian Cackling Geese, South G St. pasture, Arcata, 4Mar (SH). Tundra Swan: Spring exodus right on historic

schedules: 6 reports of flocks of x to 102, from Bayside,Azalea Hill, Murray Field, AMP, KS, 29 Feb-5 Mar (mo).Eurasian Wigeon: 2, ERB, 27 Feb (RF, MW); 1 ERB 9Mar (OH). Eurasian Green-winged Teal: 1 male, GannonSlough, 29 Feb (RF). Canvasback: 2, KS, 2, 3 Mar (MW).Harlequin: 1-3, KS, 25 Feb, 23 Mar (MW). White-winged

Scoter: 125 (with 225 Surf Scoter), NJ, 27 Feb (RF).Common Goldeneye: 1-2, KS, 27 Feb-3 Mar (MW, anon);1-3, AMP, 21 Feb-7 Mar (mo). Hooded Merganser: 1 male,4 in female plumage, Lagoon Creek, 1 Mar (LM). SootyGrouse: 1 calling (hooting?), Alderpoint Road, 26 Feb(BS). Ruffed Grouse: 1, Basin Rock area, 1 Mar (AL).Wild Turkey: 2 gobblers fighting, Fruitland Ridge, 9 Mar(JG). Red-throated Loon: 172; Pacific Loon: 5; both NJ, 27Feb (KR). Arctic Loon (HO): 1 reported, Stone Lagoon,28 Feb (JH, GSc), 4 Mar (SMcA, AT). Red-necked Grebe:11-13, KS, 17-24 Mar (MW). Clarks Grebe: 4 (with 232Western Grebes), NJ, 27 Feb (KR); 5, x, KS, 3, 17 Mar,

respectively (MW, RH). Double-crested Cormorant: 300,Eureka Channel, 6 Mar (MM). Snowy Egret: 30, 45 on roostat KS, 12, 15 Mar, respectively (MW). Little Blue Heron:1 adult (HO), Alexandre Dairy, 20 Feb-26 Mar (AB, LM,JGar, KR). Turkey Vulture: Apparent migrants at KS, 2-8per day, 2-6 Mar; 27 (one flock), KS, 8 Mar (MW). Osprey:1 continuing, Lake Cleone, 10 Feb-16 Mar (DT); 1, KS, 28Feb, 2 Mar (MW). Bald Eagle: 4 (only) reports of singles,SRB, lower Mad River, Arcata Community Forest, SouthSpit, 9-18 Mar (J&RH, L,K&AP, KR). Harlans Hawk:1, poorly described, ERB, 27 Feb (RF, MW). FerruginousHawk: 1, AB, 28 Feb, 3 Mar (anon, L&AP). Rough-leggedHawk: 4 reports of 1-3 from AB, AMP, Freshwater Farms

1-22 Mar (GG, TL, KR). Golden Eagle: 2 ad., 1 juv,Alderpoint Road, 26 Feb (BS); 1, Kneeland, 10 Feb (BB,DVZ). Crested Caracara: 1, SRB, 14 Mar (LB). Yellow-headed Caracara: 1, flying north high over SS, 7 Mar (KR);

Little Blue Heron 2008 Alan Barron

Glaucous Gull 2008 Kerry Ross

Early Spring (20 Feb-27 Mar 20081, SRB, 13, 14 Mar (JD, LB, AB). Merlin: 1 (dead), KS,10 Mar (MW). Peregrine: 6 reports of 1-2 from AB, KS,ERB, SRB, Alderpoint Road, 26 Feb-10 Mar (mo). PrairieFalcon: 1, north Trinidad Beach (ND), 2 Mar (JK, AS).Sandhill Crane: 1 flock heard only, for about 5 minutes!Blue Lake Riparian, 14 Mar (PL). Snowy Plover: 5-10, SS,

7-18 Mar (KR, MW). Black Oystercatcher: 2, NJ, 27 Feb(KR). American Avocet: 170, Klopp Lake Island, 21 Feb;120-130 (mostly still in nonbreeding plumage), BSE, 3, 7,12 Mar (all SH). Wandering Tattler: 1, NJ, 27 Feb (KR).Rock Sandpiper: 3, NJ, 27 Feb (KR). Bonapartes Gull: 1,AB, 20 Feb (KR); 1, AMP, 20 Mar (GL). Possible Vegaform of Herring Gull: 1 ad., mouth of Wilson Creek, 13Mar (LB). Slaty-backed Gull: 6 reports of 1 ad., AlexandreDairy, 20 Feb-26 Mar (AB, LM, LB, JGar, KR). Glaucous-winged Gull: 150, Alexandre Dairy, 20 Feb (AB). GlaucousGull: 1 (2nd-year), AB, 20 Feb (KR); 1 (1st-year), AB ,20 Feb, 12 Mar (KR); 7, 4 (1st-year); 1 (2nd-year); 1(3rd-year), SRB, 17, 26 Mar (LB, KR, respectively).Black-legged Kittiwake: 1, 3, MRC, 1, 8 Mar (AL, SC,respectively). Caspian Tern: 1-2, KS, 12, 22 Mar (MW).Forsters Tern: 20, AMP, 21 Feb (SH); 13, x, AMP, 6, 20Mar (SH, GL, respectively). Pomarine Jaeger: 1, NJ, 27Feb (KR). Pigeon Guillemot: 1 (breeding plumage), offMendocino Botanical Gardens, Ft. Bragg, 27 Feb (DT).Marbled Murrelet: 1-2, KS, 25, 28 Feb (MW). EurasianCollared Dove: 2 at feeder, McKinleyville, 26 Feb (KR).Burrowing Owl: 1, SS, 7, 18 Mar (KR); 1, Tolowa Dunes,23 Mar (AB, JGar). Spotted Owl: 1 calling occasionallyFreshwater, early Mar (RH); Barred Owl; 2, Freshwater,17 Mar (RH). Short-eared Owl: 1-2, Murray Field, 1 Mar (SH); 3, Fruitland Ridge, 9 Mar (JG).Pileated Woodpecker: 2, Humboldt Redwoods State Park,17 Mar (JG). Eastern Phoebe (ND, NC): 1 reported nearSays Phoebe, SRB, 15 Mar (LB), could not be confirmed

Bluebird: 1-5 seen on 21 of 29 days in Feb, Kneeland (BB,

DVZ); x, SRB, 19 Mar (LB). Mountain Bluebird, ND, NC):1 female, SRB, 19 Mar (LB). Nashville Warbler: 1, Arcata,22 Feb (RF). Palm Warbler: 1, AMP, 3 Mar (RF). NorthernWaterthrush: 1, BSLP, 3 Mar (RF). California Towhee: 1,Ten-Mile River, present since 23 Dec through at least 26Feb (when singing) (KH). 1, Van Duzen River x HWY, 17Mar (RH). Lark Sparrow: 1, ERB, 7, 9 Mar (JK, OH). FoxSparrow (Thick-billed): 1, Hoopa Gravel Quarry, 6 Mar(JT). Swamp Sparrow: 1, AMP, 3 Mar (RF). Slate-coloredJunco: 6 reports of 1-2 from Arcata, Fruitland Ridge, Ft.Bragg (DT, JG, GL, B∋ L&AP). Lapland Longspur: 1male singing, KS, 24 Mar (MW).

Short-eared Owl 2008 Kerry Ross

by AB and LB. Says Phoebe: 1, ERB, 27 Feb, 13 Mar (RF,MW; OH, respectively); 1, SRB, 15, 17 Mar (LB). Gray Jay:regular group of 5-6 in Dec 2007, doubled to 1-11 in mid-Jan, declined to 5-6 most days in Feb, but at least 9 seen,1 Mar, Arcata (California Street) (B&NI). Tree Swallow:43+, ERB, 27 Feb (RF, MW); x, Fortuna, 27 Feb (GL);12-15, large flock, AMP, 28 Feb-8 Mar (SH, SC). Violet-green Swallow: 1-several, Loleta Pond, Fortuna, AzaleaHill, AMP, 27 Feb-8 Mar (mo). Cliff Swallow: 1, AMP, 20Mar (GL). Oak Titmouse: 7, vic. Alderpoint, 26 Feb (BS).White-breasted Nuthatch: 11, vic. Alderpoint, 26 Feb (BS).Rock Wren: 1, Hoopa Gravel Quarry, 6 Mar (JT). Western

Many thanks to the following who shared incidentalreports with us this period: Alan Barron, Lucas Brug,Barbara Burek, Ken Burton, Dennis Cahill, Scott Carey,

Jeff Dayton, Bruce Deuel, David Fix, Rob Fowler,John Gaffin, Joe Gartland, Eli Goldsmith, GeorgeGreen, Stan Harris, Karen Havlena, Owen Head, RobHewitt, Jake & Robert Houck, John Hunter, Bojan &Norman Ingle, Jhermie Kellermann, Alexandra Lamb,Gary Lester, Tom Leskiw, Paul Lohse, Larry Maurin,Sean McAllister, Mary Meyers, Chet Ogan, UrsulaPalmer, Larry, Katri & Aurora Pitts, Kerry Ross, BarrySauppe, Greg Schmidt, Amy Stercho, Jim Tietz, JohnThomas, Dorothy Tobkin, Amber Transou, Dan VanZile, Matt Wachs, Catharine Walling, Carol Wilson.Please call future reports to the Arcata Bird Box (707)

822-5666, to me at (707) 822-3802, send them to meat 1595 Charles Ct., Arcata, 95521, or write them onthe observation board at the Arcata Marsh InterpretiveCenter.

Slaty-backed Gull 2008 Alan Barron