Ventura County Birding

[venturacobirding] Re: foreigner @ my feeder

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:59:25 -0500

FYI, Just posted a clear photo of the Bobwhite in the Quails Album here on VCB.
-Sherry

[venturacobirding] foreigner @ my feeder

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:41:30 -0500

For the past few years, I have enjoyed reading this group's daily posts, this is my first post. Last night around 6 pm I had a Northern Bobwhite visiting my feeder for about an hour and again, very briefly this morning [downtown Ventura]. I know this should not be possible,

[venturacobirding] Swainson's Thrush

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:47 -0500

Birders,

I stepped outside last night (5/14/2012) around 2200 and heard several Swainson's Thrush giving thier flight call overhead. Looking out in the yard this morning, I was rewarded with a new yard bird, a Swainson's Thrush!

Good Birding,
Robert McMorran
Ventura, CA

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[venturacobirding] Franklin's Gull continues

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:06:01 -0500

The Franklin's Gull was still on the beach in Port Hueneme at 8:00 am. It was with a flock of California and Western Gulls several hundred yards north of the pier.

Cheers

Dave Pereksta
Ventura

Sent from my iPhone

[venturacobirding] Re: Franklin's Gull

Mon, 14 May 2012 19:06:24 -0500

The Franklin's Gull was still present this afternoon at Pt. Hueneme. It was just east of the fishing pier, near the shoreline.

Matthew Page
Simi Valley, Ca.

[venturacobirding] Franklin's Gull pics

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:58:00 -0500

https://picasaweb.google.com/kaybirder/20120514?authkey=Gv1sRgCL2bypLQgtHOEQ#

[venturacobirding] Franklin's Gull Hueneme Pier

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:42:31 -0500

Hi all. The Franklin's Gull was still present this morning at 7:45, with the gull flock just north (west) of the pier. He later flew to the shoreline near the pier. Got photos, will post. Bill going red, reddish black legs, white spots on folded primaries.

[venturacobirding] Franlin's Gull on Hueneme Beach

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:43:53 -0500

This afternoon I found an adult Franlin's Gull on Hueneme Beach. It was with the flock on the beach north of the pier. I will post a photo shortly.

Re: [venturacobirding] 2 male Indigo Buntings at Paramount Ranch

Sat, 12 May 2012 00:03:24 -0500

James

This is a great find and congratulations on discovering them. However, I did want to point out that the Paramount Ranch is in LA County so I suggest you also share your sighting with that list so LA County birders are aware of it. In addition, since our list is

[venturacobirding] 2 male Indigo Buntings at Paramount Ranch

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:26:35 -0500

Hello all,
I was ecstatic to find two breeding male Indigo Buntings at Paramount Ranch today.

I was walking the entire trail today, and while along the trail through the fields I saw a bright blue bird, which I originally thought was Lazzy. It was then chased by another identical bird, but

[venturacobirding] Scoter sp in Marina Cove

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:18:21 -0500

Hi, guys. I think I refound the Scoter I saw last week in the ocean. Up close and personal it looks like a female Surf Scoter to me. The white on the back of the neck is just coming in. A bum left wing makes it

[venturacobirding] Ventura River Estuary today

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:57:20 -0500

Super low tide -1.1. Shorebirds mostly gone. Of interest: a female YELLOW HEADED BLACKBIRD and a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. The RNPH was preening on the shore of the river outlet. Looked to have a gimpy leg. Most way into breeding plumage. Beautiful bird.

[venturacobirding] Green heron at Rancho Sierra Vista

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:01:12 -0500

Over the last 5 days or so, I have regularly seen a green heron on the edges of the Rancho Sierra Vista (National Park Service) stock pond near the main parking area. It was there at 0730 hours this morning.

Also I have been seeing the lazuli buntings

[venturacobirding] Re: Grasshopper Sparrow

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:51:09 -0500

Hi everyone --

Went looking for the Grasshopper Sparrow at Rancho Potrero (see Kay's and Carolyn's excellent directions) this morning at about 10 am. Ran into Michael Zarky there and we soon saw a Grasshopper Sparrow perched on a small bush just off the main path leading into the area about

[venturacobirding] Grasshopper Sparrow

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:33:40 -0500

Hi, all. Mary Hansen and I followed Carolyn's directions to Potrero Ranch and got to watch a singing Gr Sparrow for 15-20 minutes at sunset last night. Wow! I've seen the species before briefly, but this was really good long looks.

I'll post the whole list

[venturacobirding] Birding in Ojai in June

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:42:34 -0500

Everyone - I am coming to Ojai the weekend of June 15th for a wedding and staying at the Hummingbird Inn. I am an enthusiastic birder and want to do as much birding as I can while I'm there. I am free on Tuesday June 19th, and I'm wondering if

[venturacobirding] Lesser Nighthawk

Mon, 07 May 2012 15:26:58 -0500

After looking regularly for the last few weeks, I had a Lesser Nighthawk cruise through my yard in east Ventura Sunday evening. We see them on and off through the spring and summer, but this was the first of 2012. Apparently doing yard work late in the day is a

[venturacobirding] New and update on the birds!

Mon, 07 May 2012 03:16:36 -0500

Hi everyone!
Thank you so much for writing to me in email and helping me to identify these birds in Silverstrand Beach. They are European Starlings. And the family is just incredible. I have pictures that I've been taking and am hoping to make a little album of them. I have

[venturacobirding] Marina Park this am

Sun, 06 May 2012 17:21:07 -0500

Hi, all. Notables:

3 Spotted SPs on the rocks in the cove
1 Immature Red Throated Loon in the cove
4 Whimbrel on the beach

Yesterday, C. Larga: RT chicks are standing up flapping. Soon to fledge

Kay Regester, Ventura
"rather be birding than doing all this paperwork!!!!"

[venturacobirding] Butterbredt and Galileo

Sat, 05 May 2012 22:44:46 -0500

Butterbredt Springs and Galileo Hills Sat, May 5, 2012
Gorgeous day with warblers, grosbeaks, sparrows, flycatchers, tanagers etc. from the road - almost stayed there all day! But down the canyon Babette, Lavonne, thel and Dee went to find Wilson?s, Townsend?s, McGillavray?s, Yellow, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped and possible Hermit Warblers, Warbling, Cassin?s

[venturacobirding] Moonwatching

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:36:42 -0500

As I am "left-eyed" I put a hankie over my right sunglass lens so that I didn't have to hold my right eye closed. Then all was comfortable. Two ten minute watchings, zero birds. I am wondering if because my house is a mile from the ocean,

Re: [venturacobirding] Moonwatching practice

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:50:14 -0500

If the moon is to bright in your scope:

Cut a more-or-less round hole in a piece of aluminum foil (or opaque paper/cardstock) and put it over the objective (the big lens in front). Experiment with the size of the hole. You are reducing the aperture and thus the amount of

[venturacobirding] Moonwatching

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:27:42 -0500

3 May

Set up my scope tonight to practice and it ain't as easy for me as it sounded! One certainly has to wear sunglasses or do as Michael has done, but you can't look at the moon without something. I saw only one bird from my vantage point and my

[venturacobirding] Moonwatching practice

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:09:23 -0500

This moonwatching seemed like fun, and I was totally surprised to
find the skies in Moorpark had cleared at 9pm so I did a practice
run. I have a few suggestions from my experience.
I absolutely could not get close enough to the eyepiece with my
sunglasses on. I grabbed a

[LACoBirds] Moonwatching practice

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:09:23 -0500

[venturacobirding] Fwd: Additional Moonwatching Instructions

Thu, 03 May 2012 20:30:31 -0500

See below for additional instructions and some amendments from Kimball.

-Adam Searcy
Camarillo

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <(email address filtered)>
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 5:29 AM
Subject: [LACoBirds] Digest Number 3576
To: (email address filtered)

**
3.
Friday Moonwatch information
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LACoBirds/message/12283;_ylc=X3oDMTJyMmFmZzQwBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI1NzI5MDcEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY1Nzg3BG1zZ0lkAzEyMjgzBHNlYwNkbXNnBHNsawN2bXNnBHN0aW1lAzEzMzYwNDgxNTg->
Posted
by: "Kimball Garrett" (email address filtered)
<(email address filtered)?Subject=+Re%3A%20Friday%20Moonwatch%20information>
kimballgarrett
<http://profiles.yahoo.com/kimballgarrett> Wed May 2, 2012 12:52 pm

[venturacobirding] Occupy Moonwatch

Wed, 02 May 2012 23:47:32 -0500

Friday - Anybody who wants to ride up to Lake Casitas from Ventura let me know. We'll find a good place to view from. Maybe go owling after? Kay, Ventura

Re: [venturacobirding] Moon Watch - cool!

Wed, 02 May 2012 23:26:32 -0500

Kay and everyone,

It's supposed to clear up by the weekend. If the coast is foggy, I think
the Casitas area or anywhere inland will be fine. It would be nice to have
people scattered about a little to provide more coverage. Just grab a
bottle of wine (preferably red), chair,

[venturacobirding] Moon Watch - cool!

Wed, 02 May 2012 23:06:50 -0500

Adam, what do you think are the best places? I think the coast will be foggy. Maybe Oxnard plain? Maybe Lake Casitas - a lot of sky there? Kay Regester, Ventura

PS. Thanks to whoever gave the grasshopper sparrow directions.

[venturacobirding] Moonwatch Migration Count

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:02:31 -0500

See the following from Kimball Garrett regarding a coordinated moonwatch
this weekend. Everyone should try and participate in this effort. See
below for details.

Birders,
>
> This weekend we'll have a full moon, and since it coincides with the peak
>

[venturacobirding] Blue Grosbeaks, Laz Buntings, Grasshopper Sparrows

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:43:01 -0500

These grassland and scrub species have returned to Rancho Potrero in Newbury Park. The GRSPs are especially vocal right now. Park in the small dirt area at the RP entrance gate - two concrete portals on the south side of Potrero, just west of Rancho Dos Vientos,about 2

[venturacobirding] Hi! I'm new to your group! Have a question...

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:09:58 -0500

I lost my huge bird book somewhere in the garage and plan to get another one. In the meantime... I live in Silverstrand Beach and my neighbor who has a Spanish Tile Roof has some family of birds ... mom, dad and the new borns in there and

[venturacobirding] Lake Sherwood

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:38:06 -0500

29 April

Dear All,

Dicken's Patch is home to 3 young Red-tailed Hawks who are getting lots of brown feathers now. A parent always checks me out then moves off after circling a few times. This is the second nest in two years.
Also, of note was an Ash-throated Flycatcher, my first in

[venturacobirding] VENTURA AUDUBON MAY & SUMMER EVENTS

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:13:17 -0500

VENTURA AUDUBON MAY & SUMMER EVENTS

Beginners are welcome on all field trips. Light drizzle does not necessarily cancel trips, but heavier rain will. If in doubt, please call the trip leader.

Saturday, May 5, 8:00 a.m. Hedrick Ranch Nature Area, Santa Paula. Leader: Sandy Hedrick (340-0478).

[venturacobirding] Wheeler Gorge Today

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:35:03 -0500

Hi, all. Wilson's Warblers all over the place. It's like a migrating flock dropped in. Notable birds for us: a friendly Chipping Sparrow, Swainson's Thrush, Cassin's Vireo, Nashville Warbler. All other common migrants as well.

Wear insect repellent! The gnats are fierce right now. Kay Regester,

[venturacobirding] Grasshopper Sparrow

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:29:20 -0500

Grasshopper Sparrow, beautiful, singing Blue Grosbeak and more at Rancho Potrero west of Santa Monica Recreation Area's Sierra Vista area.

Take care,
Carol

[venturacobirding] Lake Sherwood

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:57:20 -0500

27 April

To ease the pain of missing out on the pelagic tomorrow, had the White-throated Sparrow and Band-tailed Pigeon in the yard, 3 Bullock's Orioles in Dickens Patch, 2 males and one female all chasing each other,2 Cassin's Kingbirds, and only one Red-tailed Hawk eyas visible today. Three adult Red-tails

[venturacobirding] Wondering about pelagic trip?

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:55:21 -0500

Gale warnings are online for the SB Channel over the weekend. I am expecting the pelagic trip to be cancelled? Might be good for stopping northward migration of landbirds, though. Anybody heard anything from Condor Express? Kay, Ventura

[venturacobirding] Surfer's Point this eve

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:05:24 -0500

Went out to look at the weather, and discovered a flock of 20 Brant Geese surfing beyond the river mouth. Also 4 Black and 4 Ruddy Turnstones, and a Say's Phoebe! A couple of Gray Whales passed by blowing 100 feet offshore. I love Ventura! Kay

[venturacobirding] Ventura River Estuary

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:54:00 -0500

12 Red-Breasted Mergansers remain. 1 Whimbrel was the lone shorebird. 1 Glaucous-Winged Gull. Emma Wood woods was very birdy with all the usual birds. Watch out for poison oak! Kay Regester, Ventura

[venturacobirding] Conejo Valley Audubon May activities

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:30:07 -0500

General Meeting May 7th, 7:30 pm Western Foundation

Alaska with Guy Commeau

In 1982 Guy and Louise Commeau spent 6 months and drove 14,000 miles to and through Alaska, exploring virtually every road that state had to offer at the time. Planes and boats got them to such faraway places as the

[venturacobirding] Wheeler Gorge Today

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:58:12 -0500

Hi, all. I went to Rose Valley first, so didn't get down to W. Gorge til about 2 pm. Two groups of experienced birders had already been in and among the migrant flock for two hours. Reported to me were Warbling Vireo, Warblers: Nashville, BT Gray,

[venturacobirding] Calliope hummingbird

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:40:52 -0500

Hello. Robert McMorran and I just had a male Calliope hummingbird in our backyard in East Ventura! There were also about 350 cliff swallows that flew overhead in a period of about 10 minutes.
Happy birding!
Allison Alvarado
Ventura, CA

Re: [venturacobirding] Re: Sisar Canyon - Sat, April 21

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:01:29 -0500

I think some pictures of the Thrasher will surface. Not sure about the Vireo though since it moved around quite a bit. There was one vireo that we saw that seemed very red-eye like (the one seen early on just after the Thrasher for those who were there) and there

[venturacobirding] Re: Sisar Canyon - Sat, April 21

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:32:45 -0500

Dee and other Sisar birders,

Bendire's Thrasher and Red-eyed Vireo would both be exceptional birds. "Several" Red-eyed Vireos is unlikely, and Bendire's Thrasher is an extremely rare bird here. Details and photographs would be appreciated!

Adam
Camarillo

[venturacobirding] Sisar Canyon - Sat, April 21

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:47:51 -0500

Sisar Canyon Sat, April 21
9 of us hiked up Sisar Canyon and didn?t want to stop because there were so many birds. As we parked, a Western Tanager appeared, as well as Band-tailed Pigeons on the way in, then a Black-chinned Hummingbird posed on the hill. We saw Yellow, Nashville

[venturacobirding] B&W Warbler in Port Hueneme

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:56:12 -0500

Yesterday morning I found a Black and White warbler foraging in the trees along the west side of the J street Canal north of the pumping staton at the junction with Bubbling Springs. This area is within Surfside II, a gated condo complex inaccessible to nonresidents, but the bird may

[venturacobirding] story and upcoming hearing on Steckel Park Aviary

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:37:00 -0500

FYI

Supporters want to restore Santa Paula aviary
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/apr/17/friends-of-santa-paula-aviary-to-discuss-it/

meeting about saving the aviary
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Santa Paula Community Center, 530 W. Main St.

Best,

/mark/

[venturacobirding] Lazuli Bunting C. Larga

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:41:38 -0500

Hi, all. Found my FOS L. Bunting in the tall dead stalks uphill from the memorial, about 1.75 miles. All by himself, as far as I could tell. Did not sing.

The Phainopepla are continuing to pair up - I counted 8 pairs in a couple

[venturacobirding] Red-breasted Nuthatches in Ojai

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:33:18 -0500

Yesterday (4-15-12) while birding in the Ojai Meadow Preserve I found a male red-breasted nuthatch excavating a nest cavity in a small dead eucalyptus. I went back this morning with a friend who managed to photograph the bird continuing to work on excavating the cavity. Ironically I found a female