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FIELD TRIPS

(Audubons) Yellow-rumped Warbler Gary Bloomeld

www.rras.org

andpiperS APRIL/MAY 2010

Redwood Region Audubon Society

The

Every Saturday: Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.These are our famous, rain-or-shine, docent-led eld trips atthe marsh; take your binocular(s) and have a great morningbirding! Meet in the parking lot at the south end of I Street inArcata at 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 3 : ebird site survey--Shay Park. Do you haveonly an hour or two to get out over the weekend to peepsome birds? Come assist Rob Fowler on his weekly ebirdsite-survey at this little gem-of-a-park in Arcata. Meet at 0900at the Shay Park parking lot that is located at the eastern endof Foster Avenue. On average it takes from 30-40 minutes tosurvey Shay Park but is dependent on how birdy it is. Formore info on the ebird site survey visit this link at http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/eBird_Site_ . Call or email Rob (707-

822-5095; migratoriusfwlr@gmail.com ) for more informationand other future survey dates. Sunday, April 11 : 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. Ittakes a leisurely pace with emphasis on enjoying the birds!Beginners are more than welcome. Meet at the Refuge VisitorCenter at 9:00 a.m. Call Jude Power or David Fix (707-822-3613) for more information.

Sunday, April 18 : Southern Humboldt Community Park. JaySooter (707-444-8001), Robert Sutherland, and/or John Gafnwill be leading this monthly walk. All ages and experiencelevels are encouraged to participate and revel in the beauty of the park and its avian inhabitants on this easy, two- to three-hour walk. Binoculars are not provided and dogs are not

allowed; eld guides are usually available but please provideyour own if possible. Steady rain cancels. Meet at 8:30 a.m. inthe parking lot on Kimtu Road in Garberville.

Saturday, May 1: Seabirds at Elk Head. We will be searchingthe rocky shoreline for shorebirds and the offshore rocks fornesting seabirds. We will attempt to identify the land-birdsencountered along the trail to the bluffs as well as the oweringplants along the way. Amongst the rocks should be BlackOystercatcher. Take spotting scopes if you have them. MeetGary Lester (839-3373) at the Elk Head Parking lot at 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 2: Alderpoint. Enjoy the birds, plant life,and reptiles of the Eel River canyon on this half-day trip justsouth of Alderpoint. We will walk the railroad tracks abouttwo miles to Cain Rock trestle and back (there are no trains).Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ash-throatedFlycatcher, and similar birds of dry habitats in southeastHumboldt County can be expected. A short side trip to SmithPoint Bridge to enjoy White-throated Swifts may be madefollowing the trip. Diogenes lantern, interior live-oak, andbirch-leaf mountain-mahogany will be seen as well. Take sunprotection, layered clothing, and a small pack for carryinglunch and water. Meet in the Rays Food Place parking lot inGarberville at 8:30 a.m. We should return to the HumboldtBay area by mid-afternoon. Contact David Fix or Jude Power(822-3613 or foglark@att.net ) for more information.

Sunday, May 9: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. SeeApril 11. Saturday, May 15: Blue Lake. Greet spring in thiswonderfully birdy area along the Mad River. Well focus onsongs and calls. Interesting possibilities include Cassins Vireo,Western Scrub-Jay, Purple Martin, Bewicks Wren, Lazuli

Bunting, and Bullocks Oriole. Meet Ken Burton (707-825-1124) at Espresso 101 in the Valley West Shopping Center at7:30 a.m. or at t he river access near the end of Taylor Way inBlue Lake at 7:45 for this half-day trip.

Sunday, May 16: Southern Humboldt Community Park. SeeApril 18.

Sunday, May 16: Mendocino County Pelagic. Come joinMendocino Coast Audubon Society on their annual springpelagic boat trip. The charter boat Trek II will depart fromNoyo harbor, Fort Bragg, for the seven hour cruise. Themeeting time is 7:30 a.m. for an 8:00-a.m. departure. $105per person. Todd Easterla, Rob Fowler and Ron LeValleywill lead. Pay by check or credit card. For checks send to C.McAllisterPelagic Trip PO Box 332 Little River, CA 95456.Contact Charlene by email charmac@mcn.org to pay by creditcard.

Saturday, May 29 : Potawot Health Village. Join MarkMorrissette (839-3424) for this unique and educational half-day trip. We will be birding the trail system that winds throughthe integrated landscape that surrounds the health clinic.Come see the wildlife using the Ku wah-dah-wilth RestorationArea, organic permaculture garden, and storm-water systemthat maintain wetlands on the village conservation easement.Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot at t he end of Weeot Way inArcata (off Janes Road opposite Ernest Way).

April Program

David Shackelford is an avid naturalist as well as an accomplished wildlifephotographer. His presentation will cover his experiences traveling throughGuyana in northern South America, one of the last pristine wildernesses onearth. The delightful array of tropical birds here is enhanced by the presenceof many familiar Neotropical migrants that spend a great portion of their liveswintering in these equatorial latitudes. Charismatic wildlife such as GiantAnteater, Jaguar, and Giant River Otter combine with the outstanding friendlyAmerindian culture and excellent eco-friendly lodges to create a superb birdingdestination unlike any other! David works for Rockjumper Nature Tours of South Africa.

These programs will bestarting at 7:30 p.m.,

at the Humboldt County Ofce of Educationnear the Burre Center at Myrtle and West in Eureka.

Bring a mug and enjoy shade-grown coffee.Thank you for ensuring that our meetings are fragrance-free.

The Birds and Wildlifeof Guyana

RRAS Spring Banqueta Great Success!

For those who missed it this year, the RRAS annual member banquet(and art auctions) was an outstanding success. The evening opened witha delightful dance in honor of the hornbill performed by an exchangestudent from Indonesia. She explained that the Southeast Asian hornbills,like many island birds worldwide, are being threatened by rampantdeforestation and poaching. Island people revere their local hornbills,and for the dance she wore a brightly colored costume reecting theRhinoceros Hornbills plumage and used movements mimicking thebirds.

Our banquets are the occasion for installing new ofcers, sooutgoing president Ken Burton therefore passed the gavel to incomingpresident Kerry Ross, who had organized this event. Also specialrecognition was paid to some of our volunteers: Artist Gary Bloomeldwas awarded the Volunteer of the Year for his many years of dedication toRRAS. Gil Saliba received the 2009 Conservationist Award for his longand ongoing efforts on behalf of the Trinity River Restoration Project.

This years speaker, Brian Sullivan of Cornell University,described how data being submitted to eBird are being used to analyzebird seasonal migrations. He also described the growing potential foreBird, with increased acceptance and use by birders around the country,to provide answers to questions we didnt know we had.

Every year we depend on the tremendous generosity of individualsand businesses in the community to donate items for our silent and liveauctions to raise funds for our chapters work, and every year we are

humbled by and deeply grateful for their response. Our thanks go to thefollowing businesses: Arcata Exchange, Bed Bath and Beyond, Bubbles,California Redwoods Birding and Nature Festival, Carter House Inns,Eureka Natural Foods, Figueiredos, Franklins Service, FreshwaterFarms, Golden Harvest Caf, Kokotat, Libation, Margy Emerson TaiChi, Mirador Glass, Northtown Books, Ohana Organics or Tara Organics,Peoples Records, Piersons Building Center, Plaza Design, Jay SooterSpas, Strictly for the Birds, Terrys Blue Grass Barber Shop, Tin CanMailman, Toy Box, and Violet Green Winery. Our thanks to the followingartists who provided art pieces: Carol Andersen, Louise Bacon-Ogden,Gary Bloomeld, Rick Hiser, Ron LeValley Photography, Carl Meyer,and C.J. and Carol Ralph. Jan Andersen, Coleen Kelley Marks, and Lewand Judie Norton also donated items.

Finally, we are very grateful to the staff and management of theRed Lion Hotel for providing a delicious meal and for their unobtrusivecompetence in helping make the evening a success.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9 TH

Christopher Calonje , our May speaker, is a Colombian native who hasbeen living in Klamath Falls for the past 6 years. He is president of ColombiaBirdwatch, a recently formed bird watching tour company that specializesin tours to Colombia. He will talk about Colombia, its geography, people,food, infrastructure, and most importantly the incredible diversity of birdsand habitats that are found within its borders. Chris has great pictures of this special country, and will discuss great improvements in security in thecountry and information on the tours that will be available at an incredibleintroductory discount to local birders.

May ProgramFRIDAY, MAY 14 TH

COLOMBIA A Birding Hotspot

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Keep Up-to-DateThrough RRAS Listserve

Be reminded about eld trips and programs and learnabout upcoming meetings, public hearings, and symposiaof interest to RRAS members and other concerned naturelovers. Subscribe in 1 of 2 ways: through a Web page linkat http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rras or by e-mail torras-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Postings should havecomplete information. This listserv is not for posting birdsightings.

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: C0ZC240ZPlease make checks to the National Audubon Society.

Send this application and your check to:National Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 422250Palm Coast, FL 32142-2250

--------------LOCAL CHAPTER-------------REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETY

P.O. BOX 1054EUREKA, CA 95502

CHAPTER LEADERSOFFICERS

President Kerry Ross ................ 839-4365President-Elect Jim Clark ................ 445-8311Immediate Past-President Ken Burton......825-1124SecretaryAdam Brown................abrown@prbo.orgTreasurerSusan Calla..................................465-6191

DIRECTORS AT LARGEJan Andersen...................................................616-3888Rob Fowler ................ 822-5095Lew & Judie Norton.......................................445-1791

Chet Ogan .............. 442-9353C.J. Ralph .......................................................822-2015Jay Sooter .......... 444-8001

OTHER CHAPTER LEADERSConservationChet Ogan ..........................442-9353Education -- vacanteBird Liason Rob Fowler .... 822-5095Field TripsRob Fowler .......... 822-5095HistorianJohn Hewston ..........................822-5288MembershipLew & Judie Norton.............445-1791NEC RepresentativeC.J. Ralph.................822-2015Field NotesSean McAllister ..... ........ .........268-0592ProgramsC.J. Ralph...................................822-2015PublicitySue Leskiw....................................442-5444SandpiperDavid Schumaker...............530-227-5192

Gary Bloomeld........................822-0210Volunteer CoordinatorKate Rowe.. (715) 554-0498

WebmasterSean McAllister ......................268-0592Lake Earl BranchSue Calla.......................465-6191RRAS Web Page......................................www.rras.orgArcata Bird Alert .....................822-LOON (822-5666)

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

New MembersRedwood Region Audubon Society welcomesthe following new members and subscribers:

Alderpoint Michael KleinArcata Betty Becker, Frances Ferguson, Kris Haedrich,

Susan Hightower, Willow Janzen, Tristan Kiener,Kate Riley, Clare Rockwood, Kathryn Stieren

Bayside Jerry Barnes, Branum, Frederick Jamison,Mike Minor, Kathleen Vogelsang

Blue Lake Adelene JonesCrescent City Don Cameron, K. R. Charette,

Marj Dessert, Louise Mason,Sharon Plack

Eureka R. J. Cleall, A. D. Day, Debra McMurray,Lynn Moore, V. P. Murphy,

Leila Nunemann, Carol Scher,Don Staudenmaier, Lori WilkinsFerndale Gerald Genzoli, Robert HoyleFortuna Shirle Cornell, Gay MacHado, Louise Merrell,

Robert MoonGarberville Bruce RileyHoopa Nancy Bailey, Norma McConnellKneeland Cherry LaForgeMcKinleyville Rhea Houck, Bill Knight, Shari MillerMyers Flat Cheri McCordPetrolia Margie SmithRedcrest Joanne WightmanRedway Kris Dowling, Wes Edwards, Jane Gund,

Susan Jacobsen, Irving SchroederRio Dell Muriel SpencerSmith River Sara KilleenSomes Bar Edna Watson

We look forward to seeing you on eld tripsand at our monthly programs.

RESULTS OF THE 2008-2009SPARROW BANDING SEASON

By Ken Burton

The winter of 2008-2009 was the second season of mystudy of our backyard winter emberizid community. Thepurposes of this study are to examine age- and sex-relatedpatterns of site delity, survivorship, and migration tim-ing and to introduce members of our human communityto the world of bird banding.

Thanks to assistance from Rob Fowler, the banding ef-fort was increased compared to the rst season (see theOctober, 2008, Sandpiper for the Season 1 report). Webanded three Spotted Towhees (SPTO), 34 Fox Sparrows

(FOSP), six Song Sparrows (SOSP), a LincolnsSparrow, four White-throated Sparrows, 55White-crowned Sparrows (WCSP), 56 Golden-crowned Sparrows (GCSP), and 489 Dark-eyedJuncos (DEJU) for a total of 648 emberizids,bringing the total number of birds in the studyto 1,015. There were 3,473 known recapturesand sightings of these birds (unfortunately, someof the sighting data were lost), giving us about6,300 total records for the rst two years. Wealso banded six Stellers Jays, 11 Chestnut-backed Chickadees, four Varied Thrushes, aPurple Finch, 23 House Finches, 19 Pine Sis-kins, and 40 House Sparrows that were caughtincidentally.

We were all eager to see how many birds fromthe rst season would show up again the secondseason. The proportion of birds banded in therst winter that returned to the same yard in thesecond winter (calculated only for yards thatparticipated both winters) was 25% for SpottedTowhee, 33% for Golden-crowned Sparrow andSong Sparrow, 45% for Dark-eyed Junco, 47%for Fox Sparrow, and 71% for White-crownedSparrow. Actual survival rates were higher be-cause not all survivors returned to the originallocations and some that did undoubtedly wereoverlooked. The high return rate of white-crowns suggests to me that most of our winterwhite-crowns probably breed in this generalarea. The return rate for Spotted Towhee mayhave been higher than we recorded because thespecies wasnt color-banded the rst season (butfew were caught anyway).

Among juncos, at least (I havent examined theother species), return rates were higher for adults

(57%) than for rst-winter birds (41%); this wasexpected since young birds typically suffer high-er mortality and have lower site delity (birds may tryout multiple sites during their rst winter before selectingone, and we likely caught many of our young birds dur-ing this experimental period). Male and female juncosshowed very similar return rates.

As in the rst winter, we documented some very interest-ing local movements. A young Fox Sparrow banded atLanphere Dunes by Humboldt Bay Bird Observatory inmid October showed up just south of HSU (four milesaway) in mid March. A young junco, banded just northof HSU in early November, turned up over a mile awayin Sunny Brae in late January. The junco I mentionedlast year that was banded in Arcata and sighted on migra-tion in Brookings was seen in a different Arcata yard inDecember.

Although we didnt do any banding this winter, we havecontinued to track sightings of returning banded birds.Please report any sightings to me.

Thanks go to Rob Fowler and Lauren Tompkins for band-ing assistance; CJ Ralph and Kim Hollinger for permitsand supplies; and Jan Andersen, Catherine Arnold, AdamBrown, Jeff Jacobsen, Cindy Moyer, CJ and Carol Ralph,Keith Slauson, and Lauren Tompkins for hosting bandingsites.

DO YOU LIKE TO WALKTHE BIG LAGOON SPIT?

Would you like to help RRAS and California State Parks whileyoure there? BECOME A BIG LAGOON STEWARD! Werelooking for volunteers to inform others about park regula-tions, pull invasive plants, monitor plover fencing, and look forplovers. Volunteers get free parking privileges at Big LagoonCounty Park while performing these duties. For more informa-tion contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kate Rowe.

White-crowned & White-throated Sparrows Gary Bloomeld

RRAS AWARDEDTWO SNOWY PLOVER GRANTS

RRAS recently received two Snowy Plover conservation grants.The rst, for $4,500, is through the Share the Shore with SnowyPlovers campaign, a childrens art sign project to promote coastaldune habitat protection with an emphasis on plover recovery.Funding comes from the Morrissey Family Foundation, Inc.(via Audubon California) and Toyotas Together Green Penniesfor the Planet Program (via the National Audubon Society). Weare partnering with Friends of the Dunes, who will sponsor anart contest for 3rd- and 4th-graders; winners in four categories(Most Lifelike, Best Message, Most Creative, and Best Habitat)will have their entries made into signs to be posted at plovernesting beaches. All entries will be displayed at Mad River

Biologists in Eureka during Arts Alive! in June; visit FODsWeb site for more information.

The second grant, for $7,500, comes from Audubon CaliforniasEndowment for State Parks, a program to strengthen tiesbetween Audubon and California State Parks, especially inparks within Important Bird Areas and for projects involvingAudubon Watchlist species. RRAS teamed up with the StateParks North Coast Redwoods District on a proposal to restoreSnowy Plovers (a Watchlist species) as a breeding species atHumboldt Lagoons State Park (part of Humboldt LagoonsIBA). Our proposal was ranked rst among those submitted thisyear! We are using the money to assist the District in erectingand monitoring symbolic fencing at Big Lagoon, placing ploverdecoys within the fenced area to attract plovers, and removingiceplant; providing funds to Friends of the Dunes for docents topatrol the site and educate the public about the project and parkregulations (especially dog restrictions); and recruit volunteersto continue these efforts once the grant money is depleted.

NEED GODWIT VOLUNTEERSHelp is needed hanging the Student Bird Art Contest entries inthe Arcata Community Center. If you can spend an hour or twopush-pinning artwork to the walls on Friday, April 16 between10 a.m. and noon, please call Sue Leskiw at 442-5444.

PROJECT MANAGER NEEDEDThe Redwood Region Audubon Society is looking for candidatesto ll the position of Project Manager. Full announcement canbe found at www.rras.org . Send resume and contact informationfor three references to: RRAS P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA95502 or email to abrown@prbo.org . Application deadline 20April 2010.

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2009 by Carol Andersen

p h o

t o s

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a l C l a u s e

Godwit Days is a 3-day spring migration bird festival -- operatedby the nonprot Godwit Days organization -- that celebratesthe Marbled Godwit and all the birds of the coastal redwoods,bays, marshes, and mudats on Californias Redwood Coast. TheArcata Community Center at 321 Community Park Way servesas the departure point for nearly all eldtrips and houses our artshow and Bird Fair. Choose from nearly 100 eld trips, lectures,workshops, and boat excursions. Pre- and post-festival trips canextend your experience from April 15-21. Advance registration isstrongly recommended!Website: www.godwitdays.comLocal phone: 707-826-7050; toll-free: 1-800-908-WING(9464)Look for the free Godwit Days tabloid, produced by TheArcata Eye, at the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center and manyother local outlets

Something for EveryoneEarly birds can catch the dawn chorus at the Arcata Marsh,while night owls can literally look for owls until 10 p.m. Goon a trip to see as many bird species as possible by bus in a day,or one ones focusing on rare birds like snowy plover and spottedowl. Trips range north to Del Norte County, south to Ferndale,and inland to Willow Creek and Hoopa. Workshops teach aboutlocal insects and mammals, as well as how to ID birds by theirsounds. Boat trips on our rivers, lagoons, bays, and ocean are ahighlight, ranging from 1-hour tours of Humboldt Bay, to half-day kayaking or rafting trips, to all-day trips on the Pacic. Youcan even bird by bicycle!New offerings for 2010 are a shorebird spectacle at the ArcataMarsh, a condor seminar, a redwood forest ecology eld trip,trips focusing on raptors or West Coast specialties, kayak toursof Mad River Slough, and a visit to Humboldt Coastal NatureCenter.

Just for Kids (& Other Free Events)The Festival offers many free activities of interest to children,including: Live birds of prey Display of all entries in the 7th Annual Student Bird Art Contest Family nature & craft activities on Saturday from 12:30-3:30p.m. (sponsored by Friends of the Arcata Marsh) A Bird Fair with commercial vendors and information boothsfrom nonprot groups and government agenciesChildren are the focus of two eld trips and two workshops,which have no cost but participants must preregister: Kids Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop, Friday, 4-5 p.m. Kids Birding Field Trips, Saturday & Sunday, 9:30-11:30a.m. Art Workshop for Kids, Saturday, Noon-1 p.m.Godwit Days also offers free eld trips for ALL ages toPatricks Point State Park, Arcata Marsh, South Jetty,Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Lanphere Dunes,and Stone Lagoon that require preregistration but no payment.Children interested in participating in the many for-fee eldtrips and workshops may register for most at no charge whenaccompanied by a paying adult.

Live Birds of PreyExperience a close encounter with owls, hawks, and other raptors.Wildlife Images of Oregon will be back with injured birds of prey on Saturday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.).Additionally, Avian Ambassadors from the Humboldt WildlifeCare Center will be on hand during the Friday night openingreception (5-7 p.m.).

Hal Clause and I wended our way through the oak grove,surprised at the lack of birds. A glistening, light-coloredarea on a trees otherwise dark, furrowed trunk caught myeye. The incisions on the tree lacked the classic, uniformoblong pits that one normally associates with sapsuckerwells. Nevertheless, their height above the groundabout5 feetsuggested that they were, indeed, made by a bird.I began to point out the wells to Hal when an AudubonsWarbler ew in. We watched the warbler eagerly drink of the pooled liquid. Now, wheres the sapsucker? Its prob-ably not far away. As if on cue, an adult male Red-napedSapsucker ew in to drive the warbler away, reclaiming hiswells.

Are you familiar with Paul Ehrlichs hummingbird re-search in the Colorado Rockies? I asked. If his nameescapes you, he authored The Population Bomb . No,Im not aware of his research, Hal replied. Well, hum-mingbirds arrive in the Colorado Rockies in April and May.Broad-tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds are known to nestas high as 9,700 feet, yet most plants dont begin oweringuntil June or July. Ehrlich wanted to know what they fed onuntil nectar became available later in the season.

What he and his colleagues uncovered was that humming-birds are among the more than 40 species that rely on a foodsource made available by Red-naped Sapsuckers: spruce,willow, and aspen tree sap. Subsequent research revealedthat saps sugar content can be as high as 48%. Althoughhummingbirds are known to feed on a variety of insects, thefrequency with which they were observed to visit sapsuckerwells made clear that sap serves as a critical early-seasonfood source.

I rst l earned of Ehrlichs hummingbird-sapsucker researchin The Birders Handbook , a publication he co-authoredwith David S. Dobkin and Darryl Wheye in 1988. I nevertire of relating this story to others. For one, his researchdeserves wider appreciation. A host of species that includebats, squirrels, and porcupines utilize sap or the insects at-tracted to it as a food source. Similarly, the breeding rangeof the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker appears to determine thenorthern limits of breeding ranges of the Ruby-throated andRufous Hummingbird. In addition, Red-naped Sapsuckers

Keynote LectureFor the past 5 years, Jeff Bouton has worked asproduct specialist to the birder/naturalists marketsfor Leica Sport Optics. He has written manyarticles on birds/birding, including a column inWild Bird magazine. Jeff has given dozens of workshops and other presentations over the years.A research biologist and professional tour leaderfor over 25 years, he was a contributing authorfor the ABA Bird-nding Guides to Alaska andFlorida.

Wildlife & Landscapes Art ExhibitA fabulous showcase for local artists depictionsof wildlife and landscapes. Creations will bedisplayed in the main hall on Friday from 5-7p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 10a.m.-3 p.m.

Student Bird Art Contest DisplayRedwood Region Audubon and Friends of theArcata Marsh have teamed to sponsor a studentbird art contest at Godwit Days. Some $500will be awarded to Humboldt Country studentsin grades K-12. Winners will receive awardsat a ceremony at 11:30 am on April 17. Copiesof prize-winning artwork will be shown at theArcata Marsh Interpretive Center during May.

Registration & Important InformationOn-site registration hours: Friday, April 16, 3-7p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-noonVisit www.godwitdays.com for descriptions of thenearly 100 eld trips, workshops, and lectures andto register. There, you will nd the cancellationpolicy, how to register children, and instructions tosign up for free community sessions.Registration plans range from a top-of-the-line $80 Value Package

which includes all events except bus and boat trips, pre- andpost-festival trips, and the banquet to a one-day $22 Basicregistration where each event added on carries a fee. Studentregistration is half the Basic rate, with some events excluded.Not otherwise registered and want to attend a Sunday event? Stopby registration Saturday night to sign up for unlled eld trips atthe cost of the trip only (no registration fee required).

Godwit Goodies: Buy & Bid! Stop by and look over the goodies on display in registration aspart of the silent auction. Bid on binoculars, outdoor clothing/gear, wine, artwork, and much more. The auction will open at 3p.m. Friday and end at 7 p.m. on Saturday, prior to the keynote.Winners must pay for their goods before Sunday at noon.All auction contributors are recognized on signage at theCommunity Center. To donate, call 826-7050.Also in registration will be 2010 Godwit Days T-shirts featuringthe poster design by Carol Andersen, baseball caps, visors, andknitted beanies. Discounted merchandise from prior years maybe available.

A Word about Our SponsorsStaging this festival would not be possible without strong supportfrom local businesses, media, government, and nonprot groups.Following is an alphabetical list of entities that have donated

at least $250 in money, goods, or services (as of 3/8): ArcataChamber of Commerce, Arcata Eye, Bicoastal Media (KKHB/KGOE), Bloomeld Studio, California State Parks (NorthCoast Redwood District), City of Arcata, Coast Central CreditUnion, Earth Map Photo, Friends of the Arcata Marsh, Friendsof the Dunes, Green Diamond Resource Co, Hum-Boats KayakAdventures, Humboldt Baykeeper, Kayak Zaks, KHSU, KIEMNews Channel 3, Kokatat, KURY, LBJ Enterprises, Libation,Lost Coast Communications (KHUM/KSLG/KWPT), MillerFarms Nursery, Murphys Market, Neuroscape Communications,Nikon Sport Optics, North Coast Cooperative Inc, Northcoast

Environmental Center, Pacic Gas & Electric, Pierson BuildingCenter, Provolt Design, Quality Inn (Arcata), Redwood National& State Parks, Redwood Region Audubon Society, RookeryBooks, Strictly for the Birds, Tomas Jewelry, Violet-GreenWinery, Wildberries Marketplace. Over 40 additional donorsgave less than $250.

Crescent City Festival May 7-9The free Friday night lecture at Godwit Days will feature RickHiser talking about the evolution of the Aleutian Goose Festivalinto the California Redwood Bird & Nature Festival. Visit www.caredwoodsbirdfest.org for details.

excavate nest cavities for species incapable of making theirown. These contributions make clear that sapsuckers play a keyrole in the web of life in the Colorado Rockies.

Scientists have dubbed species as diverse as Red-naped Sap-sucker, prairie dog, sea otter, and banner-tailed kangaroo rat asKeystone Species. Over the past 30 years, the denition of akeystone species has been claried: 1) its members have a largeeffect on community structure and function (i.e., high overallimportance) and 2) these effects are disproportionately large rel-ative to species abundance (i.e., high community importance).

The knowledge that sapand the insects attracted to itserveas a magnet for a variety of creatures can enhance the wildlife-viewing experience. Ive seen species such as the Kamehamehabutterfy on (rat-damaged) trees in Hawaii and warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, red admiral butteries and numerous insectsfeeding at wells here in the lower 48 states.

Consider the role of the much-maligned prairie dog. Oncethought to number 5 billion, their populations have declined upto 98% throughout North America, largely due to government-funded eradication programs. Their widespread extirpationclearly illustrates the unforeseen consequences of removing akeystone species. Approximately 170 vertebrate species relyon prairie dogs at some level for survival. Prairie dog burrowsprovide nest sites and shelter for both invertebrates and verte-brates, such as tiger salamanders and burrowing owls. Prairiedogs affect the rate of ecosystems processes, including distur-

bancewhich creates a foothold for a greater diversity of plantsand nutrient cycling.

They alter the species composition of plant communities,creating open habitats favored by mountain plovers. Manyspecies associated with prairie dogsblack-footed ferrets,mountain plovers, burrowing owls, ferruginous hawksareendangered or otherwise at risk. Furthermore, some research-ers believe that prairie dog decline was a key factor in boththe extirpation of Aplomado Falcon from the United Statesand widespread gully formation and water table loweringin the desert southwest because burrows no longer allowedrainfall to slowly percolate into the soil.

The term Keystone Species is an apt one, for it suggestsa rock-solid arch. However, the structures vulnerability ismasked; removing a keystone can imperil the entire struc-ture. The crucial role that keystone species play in the viabil-ity of ecosystems should inject a bit of humility into thosewho tinker with or seek to re-make the natural world suchas resource managers and developerslest their actions frayan intricate web. Restoration ecologists acknowledge that,often, the return of a keystone species is the crucial rst stepin their rebuilding efforts.

Tom LeskiwJanuary 14, 2010

KEEPING THE KEYSTONE

Welcome to the 15th Annual Godwit Days!ARCATA COMMUNITY CENTER, APRIL 16-18

8/8/2019 April-May 2010 Sandpiper Newsletter - Redwood Region Audubon Society

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Field Notes By Sean McAllister

6 January 10 March 2010 Field Notes is a compilation of bird sighting reports for DelNorte, Humboldt, northern Mendocino, Trinity and westernSiskiyou counties. Sources include the Redwood RegionAudubon Society bird alert (707-822-LOON), the onlinenorthwestern California birdwatching and informationexchange ( nwcalbird@yahoogroups.com ), the MendocinoCounty birders listserve (mendobirds@yahoogroups.com)

and reports submitted directly to the compiler. Future reportsmay be submitted to any of the sources mentioned above, or toSean McAllister: sean@madriverbio.com ; 417 2 nd St., Suite 201Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 268-0592.Abbreviations : HBNWR = Humboldt Bay National WildlifeRefuge; MSP = MacKerricher State Park

Del Norte CountyGreater White-fronted Goose : 8, Smith River Bottoms , 22 Jan(LBr) Rosss Goose: 2, Smith River Bottoms , 22 Jan (LBr) Black Scoter : 6, Pt. St. George , 13 Feb (RFo) Harlequin Duck :1, Crescent City Harbor , 13-22 Feb (RFo, DBe) ) HoodedMerganser : 3, Lake Earl , 13 Feb (RFo) Red-throated Loon :1, Lake Earl , 13 Feb (RFo) Cattle Egret : 1, Alexandre Dairy ,5-13 Feb (LBr, DCa) Prairie Falcon: 1, Alexandre Dairy ,22 Jan (LBr) Crested Caracara: 1 continuing, Smith River

Bottoms , 16 Feb (JWa) Rock Sandpiper: 8, Pt. St. George ,13 Feb (RFo) RUFF: 1, Alexandre Dairy , 17 Jan (LBr) Thayers Gull: 1, Crescent City Harbor , 13 Feb (RFo) Black-

legged Kittiwake : 2, Crescent City Harbor , 13 Feb (RFo)

Humboldt CountyGreater White-fronted Goose : 2-4, Arcata Bottoms--V St.

Loop , 20 Jan-12 Feb (DFx, STu, KGR, GZi); 75, Arcata Bottoms , 21 Jan (DCo, TKu, DSp); 60, Arcata Bottoms , 24 Jan(RFo); 1, Hiller Park , 18 Feb (KGR); 30, Ferndale Bottoms ,22 Feb (KSe); 1, HBNWR , 4 Mar (ZLo, JLo) Snow Goose :1, Arcata Bottoms , 21-24 Jan (DCo, TKu, DSp, RFo); 1,Freshwater Lagoon , 20 Jan (HEB, THi) Rosss Goose:2, HBNWR , 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa); 1-3, Arcata Bottoms ,21-24 Jan (DCo, TKu, DSp, RFo); 1, HBNWR , 4 Mar (ZLo,JLo) Brant : 48, HBNWR , 14 Jan (JCP) Cackling Goose(Aleutian) : present, Arcata Bottoms , 24 Jan (RFo); 4, Orick ,25 Jan (SCa); 1,500, Ferndale Bottoms , 22 Feb (KSe); 10,000,

HBNWR , 28 Feb (DFx) Tundra Swan : 50-80, HBNWR , 14-28Feb (JCP, DFx, SCa); 211, Ferndale Bottoms , 22 Feb (KSe) Eurasian Wigeon : 1, Arcata Marsh , 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa);1, Ferndale Bottoms , 21 Jan (DFx); 6, HBNWR , 17 Feb (PCh);1, Hiller Park , 18 Feb (KGR) Eurasian Green-winged Teal :1, Arcata Marsh , 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa); 1, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop , 28 Feb (KGR); 2, HBNWR , 28 Feb 4 Mar (DFx,SCa, ZLo, JLo) Eurasian X American Wigeon Hybrid: 1,

McKinleyville , 28 Feb (KGR) Eurasian Green-winged Teal :1, Ferndale Bottoms , 21 Jan (DFx); 1 , Arcata Oxidation Ponds ,20 Feb (GZi) Redhead : 3, HBNWR , 17 Feb (PCh) Ring-necked Duck : 213, Ferndale Bottoms , 24 Jan (RFo, MWa) TUFTED DUCK: 1 (continuing?), Big Lagoon , 1 Mar (TLe) Harlequin Duck : 2, Humboldt BayNorth Jetty , 15 Feb (TKu,DSp, NLe) White-winged Scoter : 3, Big Lagoon, 1 Mar (TLe) Long-tailed Duck : 1, Big Lagoon , 1 Mar (TLe) CommonGoldeneye : 2, Orick , 25 Jan (SCa); 2, King Salmon , 21 Jan(JCP, DFx); 1, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop , 28 Feb (KGR) Hooded Merganser : 1, Arcata Marsh , 25 Jan (KGR); 1, Orick ,25 Jan (SCa) Ruffed Grouse : 1, Tall Trees access road , 27Feb (DBe) Red-throated Loon : 1, offshore Hiller Park , 18Feb (KGR); 1, North Jetty , 15 Feb (TKu, DSp, NLe); 11, KingSalmon , 17 Feb (PCh) Green Heron: 1, Arcata Marsh , 20 Feb(GZi) Osprey: 1, Eureka , 21-27 Feb (SCa); 1, Big Lagoon , 8Feb (MHa); 1 , King Salmon , 21 Feb (JCP, DFx); 1, Elk River

Estuary , 21 Feb (SCa); 2, Humboldt Bay--South Spit , 21 Feb(ZLo, JLo) Bald Eagle: 1, Ferndale Bottoms , 18 Jan (Anon);1, Fields Landing , 19 Jan (SCa); 1, Freshwater Lagoon , 20Jan (HEB, THi); 1, Ferndale Bottoms , 24 Jan (RFo, MWa); 1,Ferndale Bottoms , 28 Jan (SMc, DCl); 1, Chezem Rd , 31 Jan(FAn); 1, Arcata , 5 Feb (BFr); 1, Fay Slough , 10 Feb (COg); 2,

HBNWR, 28 Feb (DFx, SCa); 1, Big Lagoon , 1 Mar (TLe)

Fay Slough , 1-2 Mar (HHa, JSto) Merlin: 2, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop , 12 Jan (KGR); 1, ERWA, 24-27 Feb (WPe, SMc) Spotted Sandpiper: 1, Tyee City , 12 Feb (RFo) WanderingTattler: 1, North Jetty , 15 Jan 26 Feb (TKu, DSp, NLe, DBe) Whimbrel: 2, Arcata Bottoms , 31 Jan (RFo, KBu); 1, Woodley

Island , 21 Feb (SCa) Ruddy Turnstone: 1, Fields Landing , 8Jan 21 Feb (SCa, TKu, DSp, NLe, JCP, DFx) Red Knot: 3,

Arcata Marsh --Klopp Lake, 30 Jan (KGR) Rock Sandpiper: 2-6, North Jetty , 7-27 Feb (STu, TKu, DSp, NLe, SCa, DBe ) Dunlin: 18,000, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop , 20 Feb (DFx)

Herring Gull : 2, mouth of Redwood Creek , 25 Jan (SCa); 1, Elk River Estuary , 8 Feb (SCa); 2, McKinleyville , 17 Feb (KGR) Thayers Gull : 5, mouth of Redwood Creek , 25 Jan (SCa); 1, Elk

River Estuary, 8 Feb (SCa); 17(!), McKinleyville , 17 Feb (KGR) Glaucous Gull: 1, Dry Lagoon , 8 Feb (MHa); 2, Little Rivermouth , 20 Feb (TKu, DSp); 1, Luffenholtz Beach , 20 Feb (TKu,DSp); 1, Mad River Estuary , 1 Mar (ZLo, JLo) Black-leggedKittiwake : 1, McKinleyville, 17 Feb (KGR); 8, North Jetty , 21Feb (SCa); 1, North Jetty , 27 Feb (DBe); 1, Clam Beach , 1 Mar(ZLo, JLo) Caspian Tern: 1, Elk River Estuary , 8 & 21 Feb(SCa); 2, HBNWR , 28 Feb (DFx) Forsters Tern: 3, Klopp

Lake , 21 Feb (SCa); 28, Klopp Lake , 27 Feb (KGR) ParasiticJaeger: 1, North Jetty , 21 Feb (SCa) Marbled Murrelet : 2,offshore from Hiller Park , 18 Feb (KGR) Band-tailed Pigeon: 3, McKinleyville , 30 Jan (GSL); 60-90, Mail Ridge , 31 Jan(JGaf); 35, Fruitland , 7 Feb (JGaf); 3, Arcata , 17 Feb (GAB) Burrowing Owl: 1, Ferndale Bottoms , 22 Feb (KSe) Short-eared Owl: 1, Arcata Marsh , 3 Feb (TSc); 1-4, HBNWR , 14Feb 4 Mar (JCP,SCa, ZLo, JLo); 5, ERWA , 27 Feb (SMc); 1,

Arcata Marsh , 28 Feb (TSc); 6, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop , 28

Feb (TKu) Rufous Hummingbird : 1, Arcata , 18 Feb (RFo);1, McKinleyville , 18 Feb (LPL) Allens Hummingbird : 1, McKinleyville , 26 Feb (GSL) Yellow-shafted Flicker : 1, Arcata, 24 Feb (BIn) Says Phoebe: 1, Arcata Bottoms , 27 Jan(JSa, TKu) Cassins Vireo : 1 (heard only), Fruitland , 7 Feb(JGaf) Huttons Vireo: 1, North Spit, 14 Jan (OHe) GrayJay: 6-7, Arcata, 24 Feb (BIn) Horned Lark: 1, Orick , 3-9 Feb (JAl, KBe) Tree Swallow: 4, McKinleyville, 19 Feb(KGR); 20, Arcata Marsh , 20 Feb (TKu); 25-40, HBNWR , 28Feb (DFx, SCa); 50, Arcata Marsh , 2 Mar (SCa) Violet-greenSwallow : 5, HBNWR , 28 Feb (SCa) Barn Swallow : 2, Arcata

Marsh , 23 Feb (KGR) White-breasted Nuthatch : 3, Bald Hills Rd., 21 Jan (DCo, TKu, JSa) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher : 1, North Spit , 14 Jan (OHe); 1, Cock Robin Island , 4 Mar (BRC) Western Bluebird : 8, Bald Hills Rd ., 21 Jan (DCo, TKu,JSa); 5, Orick , 25 Jan (SCa); 9, mouth of redwood creek , 31 Jan(KGR); 2, McKinleyville , 5 Feb (COg); 2, Tyee City , 12 Feb(RFo); 7, Orick , 22 Feb (RFo); 4, Table Bluff , 27 Feb (SMc); 2,Orick , 4 Mar (HEB)

KHv, JHv) Mountain Quail : 2, Eel River Station , 10 Feb(JWh) Osprey: 1, Lake Cleone--MSP , 22 Jan 5 Feb (DTo,TMa) Bald Eagle: 1, MSP , 29 Jan (TMa); 1, Round Valley , 10Feb (JWh) Ferruginous Hawk: 1, Westport , 12 Jan (KHv);1, north of Fort Bragg , 11 Feb (KHv) Golden Eagle: 4,

Round Valley , 10 Feb (JWh) Prairie Falcon: 1, Covelo , 9 Feb(JWh) COMMON MOORHEN: 1 continuing, Lake Cleone ,19 Jan (DTo) Rock Sandpiper : 1, Laguna Point , 29 Jan (DTo) Dunlin: 1, Virgin Creek , 2 Feb (MBr) Heermans Gull: 5,Virgin Creek Beach , 2 Feb (DTo) VEGA HERRING GULL:

1, Virgin Creek , 14 Feb (TEa) Black-legged Kittiwake : 1,Virgin Creek Beach , 2 Feb (DTo) Northern Pygmy-Owl : 2, Mendocino Pass , 10 Feb (JWh) Burrowing Owl: 1 continuing,Virgin Creek Beach , 19 Jan -24 Feb (DTo, JLu, TEa, RHu); 1,Glass Beach , 6-24 Feb (MSt, DTo, LWa) White-throatedSwift : 2, Dos Rios , 9 Feb (JWh) Rufous Hummingbird : 1,Fort Bragg , 4 Mar (RHu) Lewiss Woodpecker : 7, Covelo ,9 Feb (JWh) YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER : 1, Fort

Bragg , 31 Jan 4 Mar (JWh, DTo, MBr, AMo, JLu, DJe, TEa,KPa, RHu) Red-breasted Sapsucker : 1, Eel River Station ,10 Feb (JWh) Mountain Chickadee : 1, Eel River Station ,10 Feb (JWh) Townsends Solitaire: 2, Mendocino Pass ,10 Feb (JWh); 2, Eel River Station , 10 Feb (JWh) Orange-crowned Warbler 1, Fort Bragg , 16 Jan 2 Feb (DTo, MBr) Wilsons Warbler : 1, DeHaven Creek , 14 Feb (TEa) Rufous-crowned Sparrow : 3, Eel River Station , 10 Feb (JWh) RedFox Sparrow (possible hybrid) : 1, north of Fort Bragg , 5 Mar(KHv) White-throated Sparrow: 1 continuing, Fort Bragg ,12 Feb (DTo) Tricolored Blackbird : 5, Ocean Meadows -north Fort Bragg , 11 Feb (KHv) Bullocks Oriole: 1, Fort

Bragg , 2-22 Feb (MBr, DTo, DJe, KPa) Cassins Finch: 1, Mendocino Pass, 10 Feb (JWh)

Trinity CountyLong-tailed Duck : 1, Lewiston , 16 Jan (TKu)

Western Siskiyou CountyNo reports

A special thanks to Gary Lester and Kerry Ross for theiredits and comments.Many thanks to all of the observers who sent or called inreports. As usual I could not include all of the reports, but please keep them coming!Observers:Jeff Allen, Bob Battigin, Dave Bell, Keith Bensen, GaryBloomeld, Matt Brady, Heather Brown, Lucas Brug,Barbara Burek, Ken Burton, Dennis Cahill, Pam Cahill, BrentCampos, Scott Carey, Cate, Diane Cavaness, Phil Chaon,Daryl Coldren, Todd Easterle, Erica Fielder, David Fix,Rob Fowler, Brad Freeman, John Gafn, Melody Hamilton,Holly Harvey, Jim Havlena, Karen Havlena, Owen Head,Matt Hinton, HSU Ornithology class, Richard Hubacek,Bojan Ingles, Ken Irwin, David Jensen, Vitek Jirinec,John Luther, Tony Kurz, Nikki Leskinen, Tom Leskiw,Gary Lester, Lauren Lester, Ron LeValley, Jill Loman, ZacLoman, Sean McAllister, Art Morley, Cindy Moyer, ChetOgan, Kathryn Parker, Renee Pasquinelli, Wendy Pearson,Jude Power, Kerry Ross, Jesse Sargent, Terry Schulz,Kristin Sesser, Keith Slauson, David Spangenberg, MichaelStephens, Janet Stock, Marsten Taylor, Dorothy Tobkin,Leslie Tucci, Steve Tucker, Dan Van Zile, Matt Wachs, LisaWalker, Judy Warren, Jerry White, Carol Wilson, GeorgeZiminski

Field Notes is a compilation of bird sighting reportsfor Humboldt, Del Norte, western Trinity and northernMendocino counties. These observations do notnecessarily represent accepted records. Sourcesinclude the Redwood Region Audubon Society bird alertand birders information phone line (707-822-LOON),the online northwestern California birdwatching andinformation exchange ( nwcalbird@yahoogroups.com), the Mendocino County birders listserve(mendobirds@yahoogroups.com ), and reports submitteddirectly to the compiler. Future reports may be submittedto any of the sources mentioned above, or to SeanMcAllister: sean@madriverbio.com ; 417 2 nd St., Suite201 Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 268-0592.

Harlans Red-tailed Hawk : 1, Hwy 101--Bayside Cutoff , 1Mar (SCa) Ferruginous Hawk: 1, Arcata Bottoms , 9 Feb(TKu, NLe) Rough-legged Hawk: 2, Bald Hills Rd ., 21Jan (DCo, TKu, JSa); 1, Arcata Bottoms--V St. Loop , 25 Jan(KGR); 1, Hwy 101--Bayside Cutoff , 15 Feb (TKu, DSp, NLe) Golden Eagle: 1, Ferndale Bottoms , 28 Jan (SMc, DCl); 1,

Northern Mockingbird : 1, Arcata Yard , 27 Jan 6 Mar(GAB); 1-2, Arcata Bottoms , 27 Jan-9 Feb (JSa, TKu, RFo,KBu, NLe); 1, Arcata, 15 Feb (VJi); 1, Eureka , 16 Feb (CWi) Cedar Waxwing : 5, Orick , 23 Jan (KBu) Orange-crownedWarbler: 1, HBNWR , 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa) NashvilleWarbler: 1, Fortuna, 14 Jan (LTu, DCo, JSa) VIRGINIASWARBLER: 1 continuing, Arcata - Janes Creek , 14 Jan 27Feb (GAB, et al) Black-throated Gray Warbler: 1, Trinidad ,29 Jan (MHa) Palm Warbler: 1, Trinidad , 30 Jan (MHa); 1,

Arcata Marsh , 8 Feb (TKu); 1, Old Town Eureka , 8-9 Mar (KIr,SMc) American Redstart: 1 continuing, Woodley Island , 21Feb 4 Mar (SCa, KGR) Northern Waterthrush: 1, Arcata

Marsh--B. Slough Log Pond , 14 Jan-20 Feb (LTu, DCo, JSa,KGR, TKu, GZi) AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 1, Bald

Hills Rd ., 21 Feb (DCo, TKu, JSa) Chipping Sparrow: 1, McKinleyville, 19 Feb (KGR) Swamp Sparrow: 1, Arcata Marsh , 16 Jan (KGR) White-throated Sparrow : 14-20,Bayside, 24 Jan-8 Feb (DFx) HARRISS SPARROW : 1-2,Orick , 20 Jan-3 Feb (MHi, DCo, TKu, JSa, SCa, DFX, JCP,KBu, LBr, JAl) Slate-colored Junco: 1, Fortuna , 14 Jan (LTu,

DCo, JSa); 1, Eureka , 28 Feb (SCa) Lapland Longspur: 3,Ferndale Bottoms , 21 Feb (GSL); 3, Arcata Bottoms --V St. Loop , 26 Feb (KGR) Tricolored Blackbird : 1- 4, Arcata Bottoms , 25 Jan-25 Feb (SCa, JSa, TKu, RFo, KBu, SCa, KGR) RUSTY BLACKBIRD: 1 female continuing, Arcata Bottoms ,24 Jan-22 Feb (RFo, KGR, SCa) ORCHARD ORIOLE: 1,

Mckinleyville , 8-10 Feb (KSl, KBu, CMo)

Northern Mendocino County (north of Hwy 20)

Greater White-fronted Goose : 11, Westport , 12 Jan (KHv); 4,Ten Mile River , 31 Jan 11 Feb (DTo, KHv); 7-9, Westport , 14Feb (TEa); 150 in two groups ying over, Fort Bragg , 16 Feb(DTo) Snow Goose : 2, Bald Hill, 20 Jan (DTo); 1 immature, Ten-

Mile River , 15-31 Jan (EFi, DTo) Cackling Goose (Aleutian) : 1, Ten Mile River , 31 Jan (DTo); 1, Westport , 14 Feb (TEa) Harlequin Duck : 4, Virgin Creek Beach , 21 Feb (DTo); 1, Eel

River (interesting location!), 14 Jan (Cate); 2, Glass Beach , 28Jan & 16 Feb (DTo) White-winged Scoter : 1, Lake Cleone , 2Feb (MBr) Black Scoter : 1-2, Ward Ave - MSP, 6 Jan (RHu,

Northern Mockingbird Gary Bloomeld

Harlans Red-tailed Hawk Kerry Ross

Harris Sparrow Scott Carey

SUMMARY OF NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA BIRD REPORTS